John-Cleese Movie Reviews
VHS movie reviews for "John-Cleese" sorted by average review score:
The Great Muppet Caper
Released in VHS Tape by Jim Henson Video (07 March, 1995)
Starring: Jim Henson and Frank Oz
This second motion-picture outing for the adventurous Muppets finds them in London hunting down jewel thieves while staying at the city's most cheerfully derelict dive, the Happiness Hotel. Filled with song and dance (and swimming!) numbers, this Jim Henson-directed feature is worth seeing, if for nothing else than to see the cantankerous Charles Grodin (Beethoven) swoon over Miss Piggy. But The Great Muppet Caper has a lot more going for it: cameos by John Cleese, Peter Falk, and Oscar the Grouch, among others; Miss Piggy parading down a catwalk; and Kermit the Frog on a bicycle. The Muppets are fond of breaking down that pesky fourth wall, which gives the movie some of its cleverest moments and will elicit the biggest laughs from the kids. (Kermit to Miss Piggy: "You're overacting. You're hamming it up.") By the time a framed Miss Piggy is freed and the real jewel thieves are caught, you'll forget the occasional slow spots and remember the musical numbers and the banter. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Average review score: 
A Message From Mr. Movie BuffThe second besst Muppet Movie ever! This movie stars Kermit and Fozzie as twin newspaper reporters, and Gonzo as thier photographer. After losing their jobs, the trio travels to England to solve the case of Lady Holiday's jewel thefts. While there, Kermit meets Miss Piggy and has a great adventure after Miss Piggy is framed, and Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo along with the rest of the gang have to work to bring the real thieves to justice! This was definitely one of the best mysteries I've ever seen, and would have been my favorite Muppet Movie, but The Muppets Take Manhattan edged it out. I loved the story, the Muppets couldn't have been funnier, and you just had to love Animal! A movie for all types.
Kermit and CO go to LONDON!!The first muppet film directed by the man himself JIM HENSON we see our heroes kermit,fozzie and gonzo head to london to solve a spate of jewell robberies. The film is well cast the stars are great but its the muppets who steal every scene the musical numbers are superb the puppeteering is flawless the on screen muppet effects e.g the bicycle scene are a work of sheere genius.Any muppet fan worth their salt will already own this film on VHS as i do but the DVD edition should be far supperior with those new muppetisms etc.As a puppeteer and puppetmaker myself the muppets are at their visual best esspecially miss piggy who has changed dramatically over the last few years,this was when the muppets were at the height of their popularity and that comes accross in the finished movie. If you havent seen this film you owe it to yourself to purchase this DVD,If you have seen the movie however buy it amyway....
The Muppets return!It's Kermit (Jim Henson), Fozzie, Miss Piggy (Frank Oz) and
Gonzo (Dave Goelz) like you've never seen them before! In this film Kermit, Fozzie and the great Gonzo play reporters for "The
Daily Chronicle" trying to find a necklace stolen from Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg) by her brother Nicky (Charles Grodin) and
Marla, Carla and Darla (Erica Creer, Kate Howard, Della Finch).
But at first they think Miss Piggy stole it! There are some funny
parts like when Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo fall in the water and
fall from their hotel room.
Whenever you watch it you'll be "Steppin' Out With A Star And
feelin' High"
Also Recommended:
"The Muppet Movie"(1979)
"The Muppets Take Manhattan"(1984)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol"(1992)
"The Best Of Kermit On Sesame Street"(1998)
"Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird"(1985)
"Muppets From Space"(1999)
"Its A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"(2002)
Henson Associates, Lord Grade, Incorparted Television Company,
Jim Henson Video, Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment, 1981,
Rated G
Gonzo (Dave Goelz) like you've never seen them before! In this film Kermit, Fozzie and the great Gonzo play reporters for "The
Daily Chronicle" trying to find a necklace stolen from Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg) by her brother Nicky (Charles Grodin) and
Marla, Carla and Darla (Erica Creer, Kate Howard, Della Finch).
But at first they think Miss Piggy stole it! There are some funny
parts like when Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo fall in the water and
fall from their hotel room.
Whenever you watch it you'll be "Steppin' Out With A Star And
feelin' High"
Also Recommended:
"The Muppet Movie"(1979)
"The Muppets Take Manhattan"(1984)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol"(1992)
"The Best Of Kermit On Sesame Street"(1998)
"Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird"(1985)
"Muppets From Space"(1999)
"Its A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"(2002)
Henson Associates, Lord Grade, Incorparted Television Company,
Jim Henson Video, Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment, 1981,
Rated G
The Great Muppet Caper
Released in VHS Tape by Columbia/Tristar Studios (14 March, 2000)
Starring: Jim Henson and Frank Oz
This second motion-picture outing for the adventurous Muppets finds them in London hunting down jewel thieves while staying at the city's most cheerfully derelict dive, the Happiness Hotel. Filled with song and dance (and swimming!) numbers, this Jim Henson-directed feature is worth seeing, if for nothing else than to see the cantankerous Charles Grodin (Beethoven) swoon over Miss Piggy. But The Great Muppet Caper has a lot more going for it: cameos by John Cleese, Peter Falk, and Oscar the Grouch, among others; Miss Piggy parading down a catwalk; and Kermit the Frog on a bicycle. The Muppets are fond of breaking down that pesky fourth wall, which gives the movie some of its cleverest moments and will elicit the biggest laughs from the kids. (Kermit to Miss Piggy: "You're overacting. You're hamming it up.") By the time a framed Miss Piggy is freed and the real jewel thieves are caught, you'll forget the occasional slow spots and remember the musical numbers and the banter. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Average review score:
A Message From Mr. Movie BuffThe second besst Muppet Movie ever! This movie stars Kermit and Fozzie as twin newspaper reporters, and Gonzo as thier photographer. After losing their jobs, the trio travels to England to solve the case of Lady Holiday's jewel thefts. While there, Kermit meets Miss Piggy and has a great adventure after Miss Piggy is framed, and Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo along with the rest of the gang have to work to bring the real thieves to justice! This was definitely one of the best mysteries I've ever seen, and would have been my favorite Muppet Movie, but The Muppets Take Manhattan edged it out. I loved the story, the Muppets couldn't have been funnier, and you just had to love Animal! A movie for all types.
Kermit and CO go to LONDON!!The first muppet film directed by the man himself JIM HENSON we see our heroes kermit,fozzie and gonzo head to london to solve a spate of jewell robberies. The film is well cast the stars are great but its the muppets who steal every scene the musical numbers are superb the puppeteering is flawless the on screen muppet effects e.g the bicycle scene are a work of sheere genius.Any muppet fan worth their salt will already own this film on VHS as i do but the DVD edition should be far supperior with those new muppetisms etc.As a puppeteer and puppetmaker myself the muppets are at their visual best esspecially miss piggy who has changed dramatically over the last few years,this was when the muppets were at the height of their popularity and that comes accross in the finished movie. If you havent seen this film you owe it to yourself to purchase this DVD,If you have seen the movie however buy it amyway....
The Muppets return!It's Kermit (Jim Henson), Fozzie, Miss Piggy (Frank Oz) and
Gonzo (Dave Goelz) like you've never seen them before! In this film Kermit, Fozzie and the great Gonzo play reporters for "The
Daily Chronicle" trying to find a necklace stolen from Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg) by her brother Nicky (Charles Grodin) and
Marla, Carla and Darla (Erica Creer, Kate Howard, Della Finch).
But at first they think Miss Piggy stole it! There are some funny
parts like when Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo fall in the water and
fall from their hotel room.
Whenever you watch it you'll be "Steppin' Out With A Star And
feelin' High"
Also Recommended:
"The Muppet Movie"(1979)
"The Muppets Take Manhattan"(1984)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol"(1992)
"The Best Of Kermit On Sesame Street"(1998)
"Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird"(1985)
"Muppets From Space"(1999)
"Its A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"(2002)
Henson Associates, Lord Grade, Incorparted Television Company,
Jim Henson Video, Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment, 1981,
Rated G
Gonzo (Dave Goelz) like you've never seen them before! In this film Kermit, Fozzie and the great Gonzo play reporters for "The
Daily Chronicle" trying to find a necklace stolen from Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg) by her brother Nicky (Charles Grodin) and
Marla, Carla and Darla (Erica Creer, Kate Howard, Della Finch).
But at first they think Miss Piggy stole it! There are some funny
parts like when Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo fall in the water and
fall from their hotel room.
Whenever you watch it you'll be "Steppin' Out With A Star And
feelin' High"
Also Recommended:
"The Muppet Movie"(1979)
"The Muppets Take Manhattan"(1984)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol"(1992)
"The Best Of Kermit On Sesame Street"(1998)
"Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird"(1985)
"Muppets From Space"(1999)
"Its A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"(2002)
Henson Associates, Lord Grade, Incorparted Television Company,
Jim Henson Video, Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment, 1981,
Rated G
Fawlty Towers, Vol. 1 - Hotel Inspectors/Germans/A Touch Of Class
Released in VHS Tape by CBS/Fox (26 September, 1991)
Starring: John Cleese and Prunella Scales
John Cleese has always maintained that Fawlty Towers was inspired by a real-life hotel he stayed in during his Monty Python years that was run by a proprietor who treated guests as an inconvenience to running a business. No one in the world, however, can possibly match the sheer insolence and incompetence of Basil Fawlty, perhaps the most brazenly rude character in the history of customer disservice. When Sybil overhears that "The Hotel Inspectors" are in the area, Basil makes an about-face in his brusque treatment of a demanding guest, falling all over himself to cater to the guest's every whim while he boorishly insults every other customer. When he discovers his mistake he makes up for lost insolence in a campaign of comic terror. In "The Germans," perhaps the best-loved episode of the series, John Cleese hits all-time heights of impertinent provocation when his wife, Sybil, is in the hospital for an ingrown toenail (much to Basil's glee). Simple instructions not to mention "the war" to the German guests sends Basil into a flustered frenzy of conversations that all wind back to WWII, culminating in his storklike goose step as he offers his impersonation of Adolf Hitler. "A Touch of Class," the series pilot, finds Basil bemoaning the riff-raff he's forced to deal with when he signs in a Lord Melbury. Immediately melting into an embarrassingly obsequious toady, Basil is blinded by nobility and becomes the perfect patsy for the old con man. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
A Lot Of Good Laughs!»The Germans« contains the episodes »The Hotel Inspectors«, »The Germans«, and the very first episode of the show, »A Touch Of Class«.
»The Hotel Inspectors« is a classic. Really hilarious confusions develop - above all because of Basil Fawlty's prejudice and total lack of common sense, increased by his unbearable wife Sybil's well-meant 'encouragement'. A good laugh! One of the best episodes of »Fawlty Towers« ever!
»The Germans« is a somewhat overrated episode which does not come up to its reputation. All in all it's not particularly funny - things go a little TOO exaggeratedly chaotic and crazy in the end.
»A Touch Of Class«, however, is good fun. On the usual humouristic level of this show.
This video certainly is worth the money. Only regret: The bits of the interesting interview with John Cleese are placed BETWEEN the episodes which is a bit annoying, since you probably don't want to watch the interview every time you feel like laughing over »Fawlty Towers«!
"Don't mention the war!"This is the one episode that EVERYONE remembers from thetwoseries of Fawlty Towers - it features a very ill Basil Fawlty who is running around trying to keep all his guests at the hotel happy. Only to forget that he has some German's staying. Not wanting to offend them he states to all his staff, "Don't mention the war!" It's amazing to see Basil walk up to the German guests and talk about the war non-stop, to such an extend that he makes one cry, to cheer her up he begins marching hilariously backwards-and-forwards giving the Nazi sign and pretending to be Adolf Hitler.
Classic brit-com that you must see...
Sheeeeer lunacy!Fawlty Towers managed to be the funniest comedy series in the history of the world, thanks to its excellent writing and the glorious comic talents of the amazing John Cleese. Second to him is the clueless Manuel, a waiter from Barcelona who only understands SOME English and whose head is Basil Fawlty's squeezie ball. Also present are the shrewish Sybil Fawlty and the brainy waittress Polly.
"Hotel Inspectors" send Basil into a frenzy when the news comes that the inspectors are in town. He quickly licks the boots of the man he thinks is the inspector and verbally pounds everybody else.
"Germans" is possibly the peak of funniness that is only reached elsewhere in "Kippers and Corpse". While Sybil is hospitalized with an ingrown toenail, Basil is preparing for some Germans, a stuffed moosehead and a fire drill, the latter sending him into a perfectionist shriekfest. Watch for Cleese's weird imitation of Hitler.
The first episode has quite "A Touch of Class." Basil's determination to attract a better class of guest leads him to lick the boots Lord Melbury and snub a Cockney man. Needless to say, things go awry.
Seinfeld never got this good. Neither did Boy Meets World, or Sabrina, or anything else. Fawlty Towers takes the gold medal for comedy.
Fawlty Towers, Vol. 1 - Hotel Inspectors/Germans/A Touch Of Class
Released in VHS Tape by Twentieth Century Fox (15 September, 1998)
Starring: John Cleese and Prunella Scales
John Cleese has always maintained that Fawlty Towers was inspired by a real-life hotel he stayed in during his Monty Python years that was run by a proprietor who treated guests as an inconvenience to running a business. No one in the world, however, can possibly match the sheer insolence and incompetence of Basil Fawlty, perhaps the most brazenly rude character in the history of customer disservice. When Sybil overhears that "The Hotel Inspectors" are in the area, Basil makes an about-face in his brusque treatment of a demanding guest, falling all over himself to cater to the guest's every whim while he boorishly insults every other customer. When he discovers his mistake he makes up for lost insolence in a campaign of comic terror. In "The Germans," perhaps the best-loved episode of the series, John Cleese hits all-time heights of impertinent provocation when his wife, Sybil, is in the hospital for an ingrown toenail (much to Basil's glee). Simple instructions not to mention "the war" to the German guests sends Basil into a flustered frenzy of conversations that all wind back to WWII, culminating in his storklike goose step as he offers his impersonation of Adolf Hitler. "A Touch of Class," the series pilot, finds Basil bemoaning the riff-raff he's forced to deal with when he signs in a Lord Melbury. Immediately melting into an embarrassingly obsequious toady, Basil is blinded by nobility and becomes the perfect patsy for the old con man. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
A Lot Of Good Laughs!»The Germans« contains the episodes »The Hotel Inspectors«, »The Germans«, and the very first episode of the show, »A Touch Of Class«.
»The Hotel Inspectors« is a classic. Really hilarious confusions develop - above all because of Basil Fawlty's prejudice and total lack of common sense, increased by his unbearable wife Sybil's well-meant 'encouragement'. A good laugh! One of the best episodes of »Fawlty Towers« ever!
»The Germans« is a somewhat overrated episode which does not come up to its reputation. All in all it's not particularly funny - things go a little TOO exaggeratedly chaotic and crazy in the end.
»A Touch Of Class«, however, is good fun. On the usual humouristic level of this show.
This video certainly is worth the money. Only regret: The bits of the interesting interview with John Cleese are placed BETWEEN the episodes which is a bit annoying, since you probably don't want to watch the interview every time you feel like laughing over »Fawlty Towers«!
"Don't mention the war!"This is the one episode that EVERYONE remembers from thetwoseries of Fawlty Towers - it features a very ill Basil Fawlty who is running around trying to keep all his guests at the hotel happy. Only to forget that he has some German's staying. Not wanting to offend them he states to all his staff, "Don't mention the war!" It's amazing to see Basil walk up to the German guests and talk about the war non-stop, to such an extend that he makes one cry, to cheer her up he begins marching hilariously backwards-and-forwards giving the Nazi sign and pretending to be Adolf Hitler.
Classic brit-com that you must see...
Sheeeeer lunacy!Fawlty Towers managed to be the funniest comedy series in the history of the world, thanks to its excellent writing and the glorious comic talents of the amazing John Cleese. Second to him is the clueless Manuel, a waiter from Barcelona who only understands SOME English and whose head is Basil Fawlty's squeezie ball. Also present are the shrewish Sybil Fawlty and the brainy waittress Polly.
"Hotel Inspectors" send Basil into a frenzy when the news comes that the inspectors are in town. He quickly licks the boots of the man he thinks is the inspector and verbally pounds everybody else.
"Germans" is possibly the peak of funniness that is only reached elsewhere in "Kippers and Corpse". While Sybil is hospitalized with an ingrown toenail, Basil is preparing for some Germans, a stuffed moosehead and a fire drill, the latter sending him into a perfectionist shriekfest. Watch for Cleese's weird imitation of Hitler.
The first episode has quite "A Touch of Class." Basil's determination to attract a better class of guest leads him to lick the boots Lord Melbury and snub a Cockney man. Needless to say, things go awry.
Seinfeld never got this good. Neither did Boy Meets World, or Sabrina, or anything else. Fawlty Towers takes the gold medal for comedy.
Fawlty Towers, Vol. 1 - Hotel Inspectors/Germans/A Touch Of Class
Released in VHS Tape by BBC Video (05 July, 2000)
Starring: Fawlty Towers and John Cleese
John Cleese has always maintained that Fawlty Towers was inspired by a real-life hotel he stayed in during his Monty Python years that was run by a proprietor who treated guests as an inconvenience to running a business. No one in the world, however, can possibly match the sheer insolence and incompetence of Basil Fawlty, perhaps the most brazenly rude character in the history of customer disservice. When Sybil overhears that "The Hotel Inspectors" are in the area, Basil makes an about-face in his brusque treatment of a demanding guest, falling all over himself to cater to the guest's every whim while he boorishly insults every other customer. When he discovers his mistake he makes up for lost insolence in a campaign of comic terror. In "The Germans," perhaps the best-loved episode of the series, John Cleese hits all-time heights of impertinent provocation when his wife, Sybil, is in the hospital for an ingrown toenail (much to Basil's glee). Simple instructions not to mention "the war" to the German guests sends Basil into a flustered frenzy of conversations that all wind back to WWII, culminating in his storklike goose step as he offers his impersonation of Adolf Hitler. "A Touch of Class," the series pilot, finds Basil bemoaning the riff-raff he's forced to deal with when he signs in a Lord Melbury. Immediately melting into an embarrassingly obsequious toady, Basil is blinded by nobility and becomes the perfect patsy for the old con man. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
A Lot Of Good Laughs!»The Germans« contains the episodes »The Hotel Inspectors«, »The Germans«, and the very first episode of the show, »A Touch Of Class«.
»The Hotel Inspectors« is a classic. Really hilarious confusions develop - above all because of Basil Fawlty's prejudice and total lack of common sense, increased by his unbearable wife Sybil's well-meant 'encouragement'. A good laugh! One of the best episodes of »Fawlty Towers« ever!
»The Germans« is a somewhat overrated episode which does not come up to its reputation. All in all it's not particularly funny - things go a little TOO exaggeratedly chaotic and crazy in the end.
»A Touch Of Class«, however, is good fun. On the usual humouristic level of this show.
This video certainly is worth the money. Only regret: The bits of the interesting interview with John Cleese are placed BETWEEN the episodes which is a bit annoying, since you probably don't want to watch the interview every time you feel like laughing over »Fawlty Towers«!
"Don't mention the war!"This is the one episode that EVERYONE remembers from thetwoseries of Fawlty Towers - it features a very ill Basil Fawlty who is running around trying to keep all his guests at the hotel happy. Only to forget that he has some German's staying. Not wanting to offend them he states to all his staff, "Don't mention the war!" It's amazing to see Basil walk up to the German guests and talk about the war non-stop, to such an extend that he makes one cry, to cheer her up he begins marching hilariously backwards-and-forwards giving the Nazi sign and pretending to be Adolf Hitler.
Classic brit-com that you must see...
Sheeeeer lunacy!Fawlty Towers managed to be the funniest comedy series in the history of the world, thanks to its excellent writing and the glorious comic talents of the amazing John Cleese. Second to him is the clueless Manuel, a waiter from Barcelona who only understands SOME English and whose head is Basil Fawlty's squeezie ball. Also present are the shrewish Sybil Fawlty and the brainy waittress Polly.
"Hotel Inspectors" send Basil into a frenzy when the news comes that the inspectors are in town. He quickly licks the boots of the man he thinks is the inspector and verbally pounds everybody else.
"Germans" is possibly the peak of funniness that is only reached elsewhere in "Kippers and Corpse". While Sybil is hospitalized with an ingrown toenail, Basil is preparing for some Germans, a stuffed moosehead and a fire drill, the latter sending him into a perfectionist shriekfest. Watch for Cleese's weird imitation of Hitler.
The first episode has quite "A Touch of Class." Basil's determination to attract a better class of guest leads him to lick the boots Lord Melbury and snub a Cockney man. Needless to say, things go awry.
Seinfeld never got this good. Neither did Boy Meets World, or Sabrina, or anything else. Fawlty Towers takes the gold medal for comedy.
Fawlty Towers,Vol. 4 - Communication Problems/The Anniversary/Basil The Rat
Released in VHS Tape by CBS/Fox (26 September, 1991)
Starring: John Cleese and Prunella Scales
Nothing turns Basil Fawlty's rude behavior into panicked fawning and manic desperation like a confrontation with authority and the surprise arrival of the Health Inspector in "Basil the Rat" has him flip-flopping between penny-pinching opportunism and hysterical self-preservation. When Manuel's Siberian hamster, which turns out to be rat, escapes into the hotel, a poison-laced cut of veal set out to kill the creature becomes mixed up with the dinner cuts. When they fear the fatal flank has landed on the inspector's plate they launch into an impromptu game of dining-room switcheroo. Basil blithely pretends to have forgotten about "The Anniversary" as Sybil drops hint after hint to Basil's blank stares, but secretly he's plotted a surprise party. Unfortunately his act is too convincing and Sybil storms out before the event and Basil forces Polly to play the part of his wife, unexpectedly bedridden, for his puzzled guests. An even more puzzled Sybil returns to see the farce. "Communications Problems" finds Basil once again plotting behind his wife's back, this time for a little off-track betting. His horse comes in, but his effort to hide his winnings becomes complicated when a guest is robbed and Basil's sneaking and sudden handful of cash makes him the prime suspect. Complicating matters is dotty Major Gowan, the reality-impaired resident whose forgetfulness only lands Basil in worse trouble. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
Two Out of Three are GreatBut "Communication Problems" is probably the worst of all the episodes -- so bad that PBS rarely televised it.
Brilliant!This tape contains the three episodes »Communication Problems«, »The Anniversary«, and »Basil The Rat«.
All three episodes are among the best in the two »Fawlty Towers« series! The interesting thing is that Basil Fawlty shows a softer (however in no way sentimental) side of himself, especially in the first two episodes. This does not make him less funny, in contrary, it gives his character something extra.
Really great. If you only want one »Fawlty Towers« tape, this is the one!
"It's a rat!"Manwel keeps a Hamster for a pet, Basil thinks it's a Rat andso orders his Spanish waitor to get rid of it. After all, a Rat-Hamster creature is not the type of thing you want to havw around when there is a health inspector about. As guests arrive Basil is suspicious of all, knowing that some could be health inspectors. So he is polite, serving on them hand and foot, until he finds out that they're not the health inspector at all, that's when he gets annoyed.
Another classic episode of Fawlty Towers. This tape also contains the episodes: The Anniversary and Communication Problems!
Fawlty Towers,Vol. 4 - Communication Problems/The Anniversary/Basil The Rat
Released in VHS Tape by Twentieth Century Fox (15 September, 1998)
Starring: John Cleese and Prunella Scales
Nothing turns Basil Fawlty's rude behavior into panicked fawning and manic desperation like a confrontation with authority and the surprise arrival of the Health Inspector in "Basil the Rat" has him flip-flopping between penny-pinching opportunism and hysterical self-preservation. When Manuel's Siberian hamster, which turns out to be rat, escapes into the hotel, a poison-laced cut of veal set out to kill the creature becomes mixed up with the dinner cuts. When they fear the fatal flank has landed on the inspector's plate they launch into an impromptu game of dining-room switcheroo. Basil blithely pretends to have forgotten about "The Anniversary" as Sybil drops hint after hint to Basil's blank stares, but secretly he's plotted a surprise party. Unfortunately his act is too convincing and Sybil storms out before the event and Basil forces Polly to play the part of his wife, unexpectedly bedridden, for his puzzled guests. An even more puzzled Sybil returns to see the farce. "Communications Problems" finds Basil once again plotting behind his wife's back, this time for a little off-track betting. His horse comes in, but his effort to hide his winnings becomes complicated when a guest is robbed and Basil's sneaking and sudden handful of cash makes him the prime suspect. Complicating matters is dotty Major Gowan, the reality-impaired resident whose forgetfulness only lands Basil in worse trouble. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
Two Out of Three are GreatBut "Communication Problems" is probably the worst of all the episodes -- so bad that PBS rarely televised it.
Brilliant!This tape contains the three episodes »Communication Problems«, »The Anniversary«, and »Basil The Rat«.
All three episodes are among the best in the two »Fawlty Towers« series! The interesting thing is that Basil Fawlty shows a softer (however in no way sentimental) side of himself, especially in the first two episodes. This does not make him less funny, in contrary, it gives his character something extra.
Really great. If you only want one »Fawlty Towers« tape, this is the one!
"It's a rat!"Manwel keeps a Hamster for a pet, Basil thinks it's a Rat andso orders his Spanish waitor to get rid of it. After all, a Rat-Hamster creature is not the type of thing you want to havw around when there is a health inspector about. As guests arrive Basil is suspicious of all, knowing that some could be health inspectors. So he is polite, serving on them hand and foot, until he finds out that they're not the health inspector at all, that's when he gets annoyed.
Another classic episode of Fawlty Towers. This tape also contains the episodes: The Anniversary and Communication Problems!
Fawlty Towers,Vol. 4 - Communication Problems/The Anniversary/Basil The Rat
Released in VHS Tape by BBC Video (05 July, 2000)
Starring: Fawlty Towers and John Cleese
Nothing turns Basil Fawlty's rude behavior into panicked fawning and manic desperation like a confrontation with authority and the surprise arrival of the Health Inspector in "Basil the Rat" has him flip-flopping between penny-pinching opportunism and hysterical self-preservation. When Manuel's Siberian hamster, which turns out to be rat, escapes into the hotel, a poison-laced cut of veal set out to kill the creature becomes mixed up with the dinner cuts. When they fear the fatal flank has landed on the inspector's plate they launch into an impromptu game of dining-room switcheroo. Basil blithely pretends to have forgotten about "The Anniversary" as Sybil drops hint after hint to Basil's blank stares, but secretly he's plotted a surprise party. Unfortunately his act is too convincing and Sybil storms out before the event and Basil forces Polly to play the part of his wife, unexpectedly bedridden, for his puzzled guests. An even more puzzled Sybil returns to see the farce. "Communications Problems" finds Basil once again plotting behind his wife's back, this time for a little off-track betting. His horse comes in, but his effort to hide his winnings becomes complicated when a guest is robbed and Basil's sneaking and sudden handful of cash makes him the prime suspect. Complicating matters is dotty Major Gowan, the reality-impaired resident whose forgetfulness only lands Basil in worse trouble. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
Two Out of Three are GreatBut "Communication Problems" is probably the worst of all the episodes -- so bad that PBS rarely televised it.
Brilliant!This tape contains the three episodes »Communication Problems«, »The Anniversary«, and »Basil The Rat«.
All three episodes are among the best in the two »Fawlty Towers« series! The interesting thing is that Basil Fawlty shows a softer (however in no way sentimental) side of himself, especially in the first two episodes. This does not make him less funny, in contrary, it gives his character something extra.
Really great. If you only want one »Fawlty Towers« tape, this is the one!
"It's a rat!"Manwel keeps a Hamster for a pet, Basil thinks it's a Rat andso orders his Spanish waitor to get rid of it. After all, a Rat-Hamster creature is not the type of thing you want to havw around when there is a health inspector about. As guests arrive Basil is suspicious of all, knowing that some could be health inspectors. So he is polite, serving on them hand and foot, until he finds out that they're not the health inspector at all, that's when he gets annoyed.
Another classic episode of Fawlty Towers. This tape also contains the episodes: The Anniversary and Communication Problems!
Fawlty Towers - The Complete Collection
Released in VHS Tape by BBC Video (03 July, 2001)
Starring: Fawlty Towers and John Cleese
Basil Fawlty, as created and performed by John Cleese, is the rudest, most boorish, most hilariously obnoxious man on the face of the planet. What a natural for a TV sitcom! His screen wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales), put it best in the episode "The Psychiatrist": "You're either crawling all over them, licking their boots, or spitting poison at them like some Benzedrine puff adder." He mockingly replies, "Just trying to enjoy myself, dear." With his gangly frame and contortionist abilities, Cleese brilliantly punctuates Basil's outrageous faux pas with absurd gymnastics and turns Three Stooges-style pokes and kicks into a slapstick ballet. Scales's Sybil is the genial but obliviously chatty voice of reason and Andrew Sachs mangles the English language as the Spanish bellhop Manuel, whose struggles with simple directions results in comic lunacy reminiscent of Robert Benigni. After a six-episode run in 1975, Cleese and cowriter and costar Connie Booth (who plays Polly, the maid all too often pulled into Basil's ridiculous plans) reunited the cast in 1979 for another six episodes without missing a punch line. The four-volume collection contains all 12 shows, interspersed with interview segments featuring Cleese discussing the genesis of the series and anecdotes about the individual episodes. Remember to watch the opening credits of each show to spot the creative misspellings on the hotel sign (my favorite: "Fatty Owls"). --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
A COMIC MASTERPIECE!This is now rightly regarded as a comic masterpiece and after watching just one of these episodes you will understand why. Considering the fact that some of the episodes were made over 25 years ago, this still stands very well with its fast, furious, razor sharp witty dialogue and nothing but excellent comic playing. Its an absolute gem! John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth wrote all 12 episodes in the two series' that were madein 1975 and 1979. The quality never falters through any of these episodes. John Cleese and Andrew Sachs provide most of the laughs with Cleese playing the permantley stressed and raving mad, Basil Fawlty, the incompentent owner of the appropiatley named Fawlty Towers and Sachs as the Spanish cook who has many hilarious moments with his delightfully fractured English, prompting Basil to continually justify to his baffled guests "Oh don't worry, he's from Barcelona". Classic stuff! Prunella Scales as Sybil Fawlty and Connie Booth as the poor put upon maid have their fair share of laughs too. Its impossible to select a favourite episode so i'll let you judge for yourselves. A CLASSIC! HILARIOUS! An important contribution to British comedy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!
As good as TV comedy gets!Words cannot even begin to describe what delights are in store for the hapless comedy fan who has not yet seen Fawlty Towers, but I'll try. Basil Fawlty has become a comedy legend since he and his co-stars first graced our screens in the mid 70's. Yes, it's a vintage series and some of the language may not be very PC in this day and age but the result is still hilarious. Take it as you find it and you will be rewarded. There is not enough space to fully describe what delights are in store, but rest assured, you will be investing in a piece of essential comedy history when you buy this. Imagine a hotel owner who dislikes foreigners and has little respect for his guests and your'e just a little way there. The writing, the timing, the characters....everything is utterly perfect! John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth could think of nowhere else to go after two series, so they called it quits and left on a high. What they didn't realise was the fact that they gave us what is without doubt one of the finest and funniest comedy legends. Americans have a taste for this kind of peculiar British humour, we British also adore it. You are in for a treat! Don't miss.
A must add to your collection!I absolutely adore this set of twelve episodes of Fawlty Towers! I'm a much younger fan and was given this as a present, so hats off to the cast for enticing younger viewers (innapropriate language aside)!. Basil Fawlty runs a hotel with his bossy wife, college student waitress, a waiter from Barcelona and a handful of other guests and acquantainces. Everything goes wrong for Basil-and you'll just have to watch. This is for anyone who loves comedy!
Fawlty Towers - The Complete Collection
Released in VHS Tape by Twentieth Century Fox (08 October, 1992)
Starring: John Cleese
Basil Fawlty, as created and performed by John Cleese, is the rudest, most boorish, most hilariously obnoxious man on the face of the planet. What a natural for a TV sitcom! His screen wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales), put it best in the episode "The Psychiatrist": "You're either crawling all over them, licking their boots, or spitting poison at them like some Benzedrine puff adder." He mockingly replies, "Just trying to enjoy myself, dear." With his gangly frame and contortionist abilities, Cleese brilliantly punctuates Basil's outrageous faux pas with absurd gymnastics and turns Three Stooges-style pokes and kicks into a slapstick ballet. Scales's Sybil is the genial but obliviously chatty voice of reason and Andrew Sachs mangles the English language as the Spanish bellhop Manuel, whose struggles with simple directions results in comic lunacy reminiscent of Robert Benigni. After a six-episode run in 1975, Cleese and cowriter and costar Connie Booth (who plays Polly, the maid all too often pulled into Basil's ridiculous plans) reunited the cast in 1979 for another six episodes without missing a punch line. The four-volume collection contains all 12 shows, interspersed with interview segments featuring Cleese discussing the genesis of the series and anecdotes about the individual episodes. Remember to watch the opening credits of each show to spot the creative misspellings on the hotel sign (my favorite: "Fatty Owls"). --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
A COMIC MASTERPIECE!This is now rightly regarded as a comic masterpiece and after watching just one of these episodes you will understand why. Considering the fact that some of the episodes were made over 25 years ago, this still stands very well with its fast, furious, razor sharp witty dialogue and nothing but excellent comic playing. Its an absolute gem! John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth wrote all 12 episodes in the two series' that were madein 1975 and 1979. The quality never falters through any of these episodes. John Cleese and Andrew Sachs provide most of the laughs with Cleese playing the permantley stressed and raving mad, Basil Fawlty, the incompentent owner of the appropiatley named Fawlty Towers and Sachs as the Spanish cook who has many hilarious moments with his delightfully fractured English, prompting Basil to continually justify to his baffled guests "Oh don't worry, he's from Barcelona". Classic stuff! Prunella Scales as Sybil Fawlty and Connie Booth as the poor put upon maid have their fair share of laughs too. Its impossible to select a favourite episode so i'll let you judge for yourselves. A CLASSIC! HILARIOUS! An important contribution to British comedy. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!
As good as TV comedy gets!Words cannot even begin to describe what delights are in store for the hapless comedy fan who has not yet seen Fawlty Towers, but I'll try. Basil Fawlty has become a comedy legend since he and his co-stars first graced our screens in the mid 70's. Yes, it's a vintage series and some of the language may not be very PC in this day and age but the result is still hilarious. Take it as you find it and you will be rewarded. There is not enough space to fully describe what delights are in store, but rest assured, you will be investing in a piece of essential comedy history when you buy this. Imagine a hotel owner who dislikes foreigners and has little respect for his guests and your'e just a little way there. The writing, the timing, the characters....everything is utterly perfect! John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth could think of nowhere else to go after two series, so they called it quits and left on a high. What they didn't realise was the fact that they gave us what is without doubt one of the finest and funniest comedy legends. Americans have a taste for this kind of peculiar British humour, we British also adore it. You are in for a treat! Don't miss.
A must add to your collection!I absolutely adore this set of twelve episodes of Fawlty Towers! I'm a much younger fan and was given this as a present, so hats off to the cast for enticing younger viewers (innapropriate language aside)!. Basil Fawlty runs a hotel with his bossy wife, college student waitress, a waiter from Barcelona and a handful of other guests and acquantainces. Everything goes wrong for Basil-and you'll just have to watch. This is for anyone who loves comedy!