Thanks everyone for the R/R/Cs, still much appreciated.
A merry Christmas and a happy new year to a...
Thanks everyone for the R/R/Cs, still much appreciated.
A merry Christmas and a happy new year to all
(still on dooyoo with same name)
Member since:04.09.2006
Reviews:457
Members who trust:111
Producer: Gareth Gwenlan Director: Tony Dow Writer: John Sullivan Stars: Jason David, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Paul Barber, Kenneth MacDonald, Denis Lill, Wanda Ventham, John Challis, Gwyneth Strong, Patrick Murrey and Steven Woodcock.
This 8th Christmas special was first aired on the BBC on Christmas day 1989, being the first of two special episodes made during series 6 (1989) and series 7 (1990), being released on DVD in 2000.
It is an 80 minute episode, involving the Nags head ‘beano’ to Margate and an all character cast full of the usual Only fools banter, chaos and mayhem.
** BRIEF PLOT…
Rodney, (Nicholas Lyndhurst), has finally left Trotters independent traders and is working for Cassandra’s father, Alan Perry, (Denis Lill), as a computer programmer, even though his marriage to Cassandra, (Gwyneth Strong), is on the rocks, especially as Rodney is becoming a little bit jealous about Cassandra’s new boss at the bank. Meanwhile Del, (David Jason) has organised the annual beano to Margate for the regulars at the Nags Head, much
to Cassandra’s horror, and her mother, Pamela, (Wanda Ventham), isn‘t too happy about it either as Alan has been invited too.
So with the ‘Beano’ under way for the Nags Head regulars, including Uncle Albert, (Buster Merryfield), Trigger, (Roger Lloyd Pack), Denzil, (Paul Barber), Mike, (Kenneth MacDonald), Boycie, (John Challis), Mickey Pearce, (Patrick Murrey) and Jevons (Steven Woodcock), plus others, head for Margate for their annual day out at the seaside. But, as usual, with Del in charge, things don’t quite go to plan, with some explosive results, leaving them all stranded in Margate on a bank holiday weekend and a train strike to boot. With only a few hotels and guest house having vacancies the couch load of travellers decide it’s everyman for himself as they search for somewhere to rest there heads for the night. As usual, the Trotters get the short stray and there simple task of finding a place to stay turns into a tactical manoeuvre with some scary results. Leading Del and Rodney to think about there lives over a few drinks, only for Dels past to catch up with him, much to the little mans delight.
** IN CONCLUSION…
Utter brilliance… that is the words I would use to describe this unforgettable episode.
The story is simply genius, bringing in the annual ‘Beano’ idea as we watch Rodney and Cassandra struggle with their marriage, watching the green eyed monster squirm inside the lanky ones head as he dwells over Cassandra and her relationship with her new boss, the smug-uppercrust-wanna-be yuppie Steven, who by the way is played exceptionally well by Daniel Hill, creating such a dislikeable character who would even annoy the pope with his ‘get your head round this…’ comments.
Right from the start you know you’ll be in for a treat, with Rodney’s life under the spotlight, a brief but strange game of trivial pursuit and an awkward dinner party. And when the story takes the cast onto the coach and into Margate the comedy gets better and better. It is one of them episodes which will have you rolling on the floor, especially when you see just how the hapless regulars end up stuck in Margate on a bank holiday weekend and the brilliant outcome it creates.
The acting is great, with each character continuing to bring the best out in their chosen roles. Jason continues to do a fantastic job as the little terror under the flat cap, with his slightly pompous ego and ability to let anything and everything go right over his head, like water off a ducks back. Lyndhurst is still as good, although his character seems to be maturing since his marriage to Cassandra, although he still ahs his comical side to make yet another excellently funny episode. And Merryfield is so good as Uncle Albert, the very likable, fluffy bearded ex-navel who should have really joined the submariners instead, with his strong mannerism and no nonsense approach.
As for the many other cast members who appear in this show, including all the regulars from the Nags Head who I mentioned above, well, they combine perfectly to really bring out what is possibly the funniest Special episode ever made. The pure brilliance of Lloyd-Pack as Trigger, whose as bright as a 1/2 watt light bulb, the arrogance of Challis as Boycie and Barber as the stressed out Denzil with his little problem, (and I don’t mean Del)….
In all, one of the best Christmas specials from the mind of John Sullivan, with some excellent comedy and an all round hilarious story. If you want to get a copy of this then go to www.amazon.co.uk and grab it for as little as £6.98, which for 80 minutes of Only fools is a bargain indeed.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
This is the best. I love watching this. A great review!
TheHairyGodmother 12.10.2009 16:30
i love this episode so much!!!
becky_tredget 14.05.2009 20:02
This has to be one of the best ones, my dad bought this on video for 10p in a charity shop some time ago and when we watched it we just could not stop laughing. a classic. Great Review. Becky
The unforgettable special feature length Christmas Cracker from 1989 in which Del meets ... more
Raquel again and Rodney jumps to disastrous conclusions with Cassandra. It's typically tearaway trotter's treat - an extra large helping of luvvly jubbly...Del is o...
The unforgettable special feature length Christmas cracker from 1989 in which Del meets ... more
Raquel again and Rodney jumps to disastrous conclusions with Cassandra. It's a typically tearaway Trotter's treat - an extra large helping of luvvly jubbly... Del...
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