Fawlty Towers : Complete BBC Series 1 & 2 Box Set [1975] | ![Fawlty Towers : Complete BBC Series 1 & 2 Box Set [1975]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512VE9BM6dL._SL75_.jpg)
 enlarge | Directors: Bob Spiers, John Howard-davies
Actors: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth, Bernard Cribbins
Studio: 2 Entertain Video
Category: DVD
List Price: £29.99
Buy New: £14.99
You Save: £15.00 (50%)
New (13) Used (2) from £11.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 112
Format: Pal
Languages: Dutch (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Number Of Items: 3
Running Time: 360
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.6 x 1
EAN: 5014503179427
ASIN: B000ASALV0
Theatrical Release Date: 2001
Release Date: October 3, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships from U.S.A., to anywhere in the United Kingdom! Orders only take 7-10 days! We specialise in service to the U.K. and only ship airmail.
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom, Fawlty Towers is closer to the more elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Connie Booth. Unlike most British farces, however, Fawlty Towers deals with the big themes--death, psychology, xenophobia and even sex-o-phobia (Basil's marriage to Sybil is the most sterile ever depicted in a sitcom). Basil's contempt for his guests is, of course, legendary. It takes little from patrons to unleash his sledgehammer sarcasm: "Rosewood, mahogany, teak? Sorry, I was wondering what you'd like your breakfast tray made out of," he sneers at a guest who dares request breakfast in bed. Like every Englishman, he wants to be king of his own castle and resents having to take in lodgers to maintain the place, especially the open-necked younger generation, whom he regards as sub-human. Mostly, though, Fawlty Towers is comedy of exasperation--who can forget the "damn good thrashing" Basil gives his clapped-out car, or the nervous breakdowns he almost suffers trying to make himself understood to Manuel? It's also comedy of embarrassment. The very fear of losing his dignity generally leads Basil into the most spectacularly undignified of predicaments. His inevitable misery is our sheer delight.--David Stubbs
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
Fawlty Towers, Faultless Comedy February 8, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
`Fawlty Towers' if not the greatest sit-com ever then is definitely the second greatest sit-com ever. Each episode is a faultless masterpiece of farce with Basil Fawlty generally starting out with a small deception, normally from his wife and `nest of vipers' Sybil, which he tries to cover up with greater and greater deceptions until it all comes crashing down on him in a perfect conclusion which ties up all the loose ends in a manner Tolstoy would have needed over a thousand pages to bring home.
As well as the priceless mechanics of the structure it frames some of the greatest dialogue ever committed to tape, "A satisfied customer; we should have him stuffed.", "I should never have let you write that advert, fancy putting `No Riff-Raff'". The dialogue is a course delivered with perfect timing by the fantastic ensemble cast. A hotel is the most fantastic setting for a sit-com, as well as the regulars the stories can be driven by new characters arriving and then leaving as guests. Unfortunately a hotel can never again be used for a sit-com setting, comparison to `Fawlty Towers' would always leave them wanting.
`Fawlty Towers' is the perfect destination for anyone not wanting to leave their own armchair.
The best British Sitcom ever, bar none February 1, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Simply brilliant. Only 12 episodes but like diamonds, those things which are most precious are rare but incredibly valuable. Each episode is at least brilliant (Wedding Party, Waldorf Salad, The Builders, The Anniversary) whilst others (especially The Germans, The Psychiatrist, Communication problems and Gourmet Night) are simply legendary. The word genius is used with far too much regularity but in the case of John Cleese and co-writer Connie Booth, and for the performances too, it can't be used enough. The characterisations are great and capture perfectly the mentality and social situation of 70s Britain, they are an artefact of the period neatly timecapsuled for us to enjoy. It has aged very well, look beyond the cardboard scenery, the 70s hairstyles and fashions and each episode is a joy to watch. Despite the fact that they have been shown on TV so much and the fact that just about everyone you meet knows each episode so well, they are still and remain side splittingly funny and now, neatly packaged as a complete set with a natty little extras disc all for under twenty quid, its a steal!
brilliant... December 20, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
i vividly remember the premier of Fawlty Towers in the states, i was so expecting a extension of Monty Python that i was disappointed with the first episode. it took a while but i now consider this the funniest programme in television history (yes, that is quite a statement). sure, other shows lasted longer, but these twelve episodes just keep me roaring to the point where repeated viewing is a enjoyable must.... it just does not or cannot get funnier, about the only equal is the u.s.a. series The Honeymooners.
Wonderful October 31, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
A classic comedy which can be viewed again and again. You will enjoy all episodes!
BEWARE: There are NO Greek subtitles as advertised in item's description!
CLASSIC August 4, 2007
6 out of 17 found this review helpful
One word to describe this, CLASSIC!!!
Thats all I have to say!!
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