...
I have been watching, and reviewing, the green green grass recently, which is the spin off to Only fools and horses, and decided to drag out a few of my Only fools DVDs to watch yet again.
And this special episode was one of the first I grabbed hold of, but as it is one of my favourite ... Read review
A feature length episode of John Sullivan's popular comedy, first broadcast at Christmas ... more
1985. Del and Rodney travel to Amsterdam to collect some diamonds on behalf of Boycie and Abdul, little knowing that old adversary Chief Inspector Slater is hot on...
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
Advantages: great dry witted humour and a comical story Disadvantages: none
...is the spin off to Only fools and horses, and decided to drag out a few of my Only fools DVDs to watch yet again.
And this special episode was one of the first I grabbed hold of, but as it is one of my favourite episodes I threw it straight into the DVD player, snatched a drink from the fridge and sat back to enjoy this feature length episode starring those lovable rogues, Del and Rodney Trotter
==WHAT IS IT THEN?==
... ...many first in the Only fools and Horses saga, featuring the trotter brothers.
* It is the first 90 minute episode, (all previous episodes being only 30 minutes long, including the previous three Christmas specials)
* It is the first special episode to not to be featured with-in a series on the DVD.
* It is also the first special episode to feature Uncle Albert, (after his initial appearance in series ... more
Producer: Ray Butt Director: Ray Butt Writer: John Sullivan Starring: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Buster Merryfield, John Challis and Tony Anholt.
I have been watching, and reviewing, the green green grass recently, which is the spin off to Only fools and horses, and decided to drag out a few of my Only fools DVDs to watch yet again. And this special episode was one of the first I grabbed hold of, but as it is one of my favourite episodes I threw it straight into the DVD player, snatched a drink from the fridge and sat back to enjoy this feature length episode starring those lovable rogues, Del and Rodney Trotter
==WHAT IS IT THEN?==
This 1985 Christmas special is an episode with many first in the Only fools and Horses saga, featuring the trotter brothers.
* It is the first 90 minute episode, (all previous episodes being only 30 minutes long, including the previous three Christmas specials)
* It is the first special episode to not to be featured with-in a series on the DVD.
* It is also the first special episode to feature Uncle Albert, (after his initial appearance in series 4, episode 2, Strained relations)
** BRIEF PLOT...
Del Trotter, (David Jason), and his dippy brother Rodney, (Nicholas Lyndhurst) , are struggling through life as usual, but when Boycie, (John Challis), and a business man named Abdul, (Tony Anholt), offers Del the chance to earn some series cash he jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, the offer is a little more dodgy than Del is used to and involves a trip to Amsterdam and a visit with a man named Henry Van Kleefe. So with Del’s usual luck, all bad of course, he soon bumps into Peckhams very own Nemesis, Detective Inspector Roy Slater, (Jim Broadbent), an old school friend of both Del and Boycie, who ended up turning to the police force for a career, much to everyones horror, including his own parents.
With the simple plan of going to Amsterdam for a day trip, bringing Boycie and Abduls little package back on there return, things just don’t quite go to plan as Del manages to find himself feeling trapped in Hull. That is until he comes up with a plan to sail across to the Netherlands with the help of the old seadog, Uncle Albert. The plan sounds simple enough, but as it’s Del plan with Rodney’s help and Uncle Albert at the helm of the small vessel things start to go wrong straight from the off, including some very bad navigational skills, a lot of sea sicknesses and rather unexpected twist at the end
** IN CONCLUSION…
This is a shear delight to watch, with the usual Trotter trade mark of pure stupidity and total bad luck for the two unfortunates who only seem to make enough money to live on. The story itself is brilliantly thought out, but what do you expect from the mind of John Sullivan, who has already made the Trotters and co a household name in the three series he has already penned.
Once I started watching this it wasn’t too long until I was holding my side because of the pain through laughing, especially the scene when Rodney is trying to have a sensible conversation with Trigger regarding a relationship problem, Trigger is no agony aunt. The humour then simply continues through out the show, becoming funnier as the Trotters head overseas, putting there lives in the Hands of Uncle Albert as he pilots the ship across the North Sea, with the maritime skills of an ex coal miner.
There are a few twist and turns in this episode and we are re- introduced to Dels old nemesis, in the form of Detective inspector Roy Slater and his side kick Detective Sergeant Terence Hoskins, (both last seen in series 3, episode 5).
The acting is once again simply fantastic throughout, each character giving there all to create such an hilarious episode indeed David Jason is simply brilliant as Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter, ducking and diving, selling ’dodgy’ gear to the general public in order to make his millions. With Nicholas Lyndhurst doing just as good a job as his rather Lanky and very dippy brother Rodney. Buster Merryfield continues to play the part of the Santa Claus scruffy look-a-like Uncle Albert and in this episode we actually get to realise just how incompetent he really is when it comes to sailing across the seven seas, understanding just why every vessel he has been on ended up at the bottom of the oceans, most sailors have a girl in every port only Uncle Albert has a shipwreck in every sea.
Jim Broadbent certainly plays his part as the not so nice copper with a smug attitude very well indeed, seeming to enjoy his part almost too much, and Christopher Mitchell does a fine job as his side kick Hoskins, the pair looking like the Laurel and Hardy of the police force. And the many brief appearances of Paul Barber, as the ever ‘Del trusting’ Denzil really does make you laugh out load, but then feel guilty as you realise just how he becomes affected by the miniature Trotter terror in the flat cap and camel-skin coat.
I don’t want to give the entire plot away, just in case you have never seen this episode, but if you have enjoyed any of the other Only fools episodes then you’re certainly in for a treat with this feature length one as it is just as good, if not better, than some others.
In all, a must to watch for any Del Trotter fans, with all the usual banter and bad tempers running in the Trotter family, with a rather splendid story for the first feature length episode.
If you want to get a copy of this excellent episode then go to www.amazon.co.uk and grab a copy for less than £7.00, although there are no extras on the disc it is still great value for money.
blissman70 08.05.2009 (09.05.2009)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
very helpful
Review of Only Fools And Horses - To Hull And Back (DVD)
Advantages: Excellent episode with great comedy moments Disadvantages: Poor production from the BBC
...the screen in this festive Only Fools and Horses special. The classic show has received many accolades since those early days, even grabbing the honour of the UK's most loved sitcom. "To Hull And Back" is vintage Fools, written to perfection by John Sullivan, the characters take to their roles like ducks to water.
It's not difficult to see where the success stems from in Sullivan's work. The writing is clean and flows from scene to scene with great ... ...job. But perhaps what seperates Only Fools from the rest of the bunch is its admirable knack of being able to make the viewer care about the entire cast, not just the lovable Trotters.
Never has a British comedy succeeded so successfully in throwing together such an effective ensemble of characters. Each of course bring their own unique selling points to the show. The supporting figures of Boycie, Trigger, Denzel and Slater are so strong that you ...
tehfincheh 09.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Only Fools And Horses - To Hull And Back (DVD)
Advantages: great acting, very funny Disadvantages: not on long enough
...now, finally ending in 2003, Only Fools and Horses is still a legend and will continue to attract new younger viewers on the like of UK Gold in years to come. "To Hull and Back" first screen as the Christmas special in 1985 has got to be one of the best episodes that John Sullivan has ever written. They are all absolutely fantastic and all have a thing about them that makes every episode unique but this is one of my favourites.
"To Hull and Back", ... ...Amsterdam for £15,000... in typical Only Fools and Horses comedy... they in a round about way talk to Del about it that thinks it would be a good idea that they go on behalf of Boycie and Abdul to fetch the diamonds.
In this episode, the original person who was offered the role of Del Boy (Jim Broadbent) playing Inspector Slater is on the prowl. He knows there is something going down and with his somewhat dozey sidekick they interrogate Del and ...
blondgem 28.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Only Fools And Horses - To Hull And Back (DVD)
Advantages: Very Funny, nice twist at the end. Disadvantages: Quality not very good.
...is one of my favourite Only Fools and Horses Episodes. Esecially as it is the oldest one! This special is really funny, especially where Del, Rodney and Albert are running away from the police who are in fact chasing the person behind them! Lol.
This special was originally broadcasted in December 1985. Basically the film is about a scheme that Boisey and his aquaintance Abdul are plotting to smuggle some diamonds into the country. Who else to carry ... ...Somehow Del manages to get locked in Denzels lorry and ends up in Hull. Rodney follows him i the spluttering 3 wheeled van. While they are up there by the coast Del decides what better idea than to hire a boat and sale to Amsterdam! A long journey results in Rodneys sea sickness and a desertion in the middle of the ocean. They finally get there in the end!
The transaction goes all to plan but they get lost on the way home too. When they finally ...
LM01443 02.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Only Fools And Horses - To Hull And Back (DVD)
Advantages: Very funny Disadvantages: Not their best special
Only Fools and Horses was a classic of Britsh comedy and unlike many sitcoms which struggled when it came to an extended special edition Only Fools and Horses just got stronger as was shown in this classic special edition.
As always Del is constantly looking for the next opportunity to become a millionnaire and he is not beyond bending a law or three to get what he wants.
In this episode he is approached by Boycie and one of his associates with ... ...from a dealer and then return to the UK without actually informing Her Majesties Customs and Excise about he little deal.
Knowing that he is taking all the risks and with teh police sniffing around Del decides to make use of Uncle Alberts naval past and rather than go by convention mean, Del, Rodney and Albert set off from Hull with Albert steering a fishing trawler, needless to say given his past record of being on sinking ships Albert is the last ...
fuzzybear967 18.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Only Fools And Horses - To Hull And Back (DVD)
The very first feature-length special sees the Trotter clan venture over to Amsterdam. Boycie and Abdul are onto a winning scheme involving diamond smuggling from a businessman in Amsterdam, Hendrick van Kleefe. And who better to take the money to Amsterdam and bring the diamonds back than the Trotters!
However, an appearance by Chief Inspector Slater (played by Jim Broadbent requires for a change of strategy - he knows Boycie and Abdul have the ... ...work out who is bringing them over, so asks Del, who manages to keep him off-the-scent.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to speed up the deal, Boycie, Abdul and Del arrange to meet in Denzil's lorry so that Del can be given the money, however a disturbance call means Slater is back! However he finds no-one, and because Del is trapped in the lorry, Rodney ends up following him to Hull, much to Del's displeasure. However it sparks a bright idea...Del decides ...
chrisjorr 18.06.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Only Fools And Horses - To Hull And Back (DVD)
A feature length special first transmitted on Christmas Day 1985, which finds Del, Rodney and Albert taking to the seas and Del reluctant to get involved in a diamond smuggling scheme.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
2 ENTERTAIN VIDEO; SONY DADC
Release date
12/11/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BBCDVD 1071
Barcode
5014503107123
Languages
Main Language
English
Subtitle Language
English
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Scene Selection
Aspect Ratio
4:3 Full Frame
Sound
Dolby Digital Stereo
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital Stereo English
DVD Description
Del (David Jason), Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield) are up to more mischief in this feature-length episode. This time around, the boys are running errands in Amsterdam.
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