Product Details

• Actors: Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig, Rosie Day, Paul Beech
• Writers: Dylan Moran
• Format: PAL
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 3
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002OJU0U
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,925 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Black Books - The Complete Series 1 To 3 [Region 2]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

[NON-U.S. FORMAT (PAL) Region 2 U.K. Import - This will not play on U.S./Canada DVD players or those from most other countries outside of Europe. You would need a "multi-region" or "region-free" PAL compatible DVD player or computer.] REVIEW: One of the few genuinely outstanding British comedy shows of the past decade, Black Books unites excellent comedic performances, very funny scripts, and plenty of rewatch value. The concept is simple enough. Bernard (expertly played by Dylan Moran) runs a bookshop. The only problems are he can't stand people, hates customers, and would far prefer to be barking out cutting remarks and drinking wine. Still, it's after drinking much of the aforementioned wine that he offers Manny (Bill Bailey, again in terrific form) a job. Manny accepts, and finds his daily life involves taking abuse from Bernard, while remaining strangely and resolutely upbeat. Fran (Tamsin Greig) meanwhile also likes her wine, and finds herself stuck between the two of them, with a few odd encounters of her own thrown in too. So far nothing particularly out of the ordinary, right? Well, mix in some of the creative force behind Father Ted, combine those aforementioned performances, and simmer to the point where episode after episode garners a cocktail of sniggers and belly laughs, and you have something really rather special. Like many of the best shows, the curtain has come down on Black Books after only three series. But the long-lasting legacy are episodes that are set to be enjoyed for a long, long time to come. --Simon Brew

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good british humour tied into an original story, April 21, 2006

By 

Pete (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Books - The Complete Series 1 To 3 [Region 2] (DVD)

The main character of this show, Bernard Black, an angry Irishman, owns a book shop and is aided by ever-helpful odd doormat,Manny, while local shop-owner Fran keeps them both in order with her no-BS attitude.

This witty series really utilises British humour by throwing these characters into different situations. Episode highlights include the episode where Manny warns Bernard that if the temperature is too high he goes nuts (so, of course, Bernard does as much as he can to overheat the man); Fran bets Bernard that her friend's hen's night will be fun; Manny's oddball parents come to town; and Bernard gets locked out of his shop and wanders the streets.

For a fairly short series it manages to cover a lot of ground with a carefree attitude and the routine "everything will be back to normal next week" that shows like the simpsons employ (which allows for an abundance of possibilities of what could happen to the trio).

The delivery of the actors and the unique situations they're put in (plus a dash of monty python humour) makes this show another impressive slice of British television.

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be on your to do list., August 12, 2007

By 

MORTEN AASTAD (Oslo Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Books - The Complete Series 1 To 3 [Region 2] (DVD)

Not sure how or if this show was broadcast in the US. Here in Norway they called it 'En Selvsam Sjappe', which translates into 'a pequiliar, or weird, shop'. Weird and pequiliar it sure was! But also really, really wonderful. Few shows have made me laugh so much recently.

I got into Black Books, not on Norwegian tv, but in advance, on DVD from the UK. I knew nothing about it, but I knew plenty about Bill Bailey who plays 'Manny' on the show. Bill's early BBC comedy show was shown on BBC Prime, and I really fell for his brand of humour. When he performs as a stand up, he utilises his skills not only with his gob, but also his gift as an accomplished musician. Playing keyboards and guitar, he lays into Chris DeBurgh (the greatest of evil), U2's the Edge and even the BBC news signature tune. A french police siren will never sound the same, after watching Bill Bailey.

Dylan Moran was more of an unknown to me, however, I recognised him from the movie Notting Hill, and I was amused, that he who played a book thief in Hugh Grant's travel bookshop, would go on to play the owner of a bookshop himself. If you love angry, gruff, alcoholic irishmen, then you really need to see this! Dylan have two stand up DVD's out in the UK.

Then there's Tamsin Greig. I knew nothng about her before seeing this, but she really grabs you. Intense and brooding, she is so far removed from any females in any american sitcoms, it's a treat just to watch her. If you can't get enough of her, I really recommend the later series she made in the UK; Green Wing.

If you get this, I can promise you lots of belly laughs, as Black turns poor Manny into a suffering slave. You'll see customers treated so bad, they would WISH they were stuck in Kevin Smiths Clerks, just to get away and have a break. Can't come up with a good reason to open a bottle of cheap wine? Well, there should be enough suggestions on this set of DVD's!

Fans of Simon Pegg's Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, wouldn't want to miss the 3rd season opener, where Manny meats a whole different breed of boss.

So, what are you doing reading this? Click on 'ADD TO CART' now!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete series are the only way to go..., July 30, 2006

By 

DaddyDoma (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Books - The Complete Series 1 To 3 [Region 2] (DVD)

The joy of discovering a great series once it is finished always feels a little bittersweet. There is 1% of me that regrets not being aware of it during its first run and promoting it to all my friends and family. But this is often outweighed by the delight of having the entire collection at my fingertips and Black Books is no exception.

Although "Grapes of Wrath" from Series One is my personal all-time favourite, there is little doubt that Series Two is the strongest as a whole. Series Three has a lot to live up to but even the worst season of the three is better than 90% of shows on TV. Highly recommended.