Customer Reviews

Eddie Izzard: Definite Article [VHS]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Yes, I know, everyone likes Dress to Kill. I believe that is because that is the concert most people saw first, and there is noting quite like that first taste of something special. Dress to Kill is a great concert, but Definite Article is Eddie at his best. His regular references are not getting familiar and he does not creep into what I call the "serious dead spot" that shows up in his later shows where he gets more political or engages in some social commentary which is interesting, but not as entertaining. Definite Article is the concert I show my friends who have never seen him before and they are hopelessly hooked. Now that all his shows are on DVD (except Live at the Ambassadors. Sexie is on PAL DVD and, yes, I have that one too.) watch these two shows back to back and you will see what I mean. It won't change your opinion, but you will see Eddie at his hottest (Definite Article) and as he hits his stride in America (Dress to Kill).

Some technical notes: The video quality is excellent compared to the VHS version and the commentary will make you just that much more of a fan. Enjoy!

I've seen all the Eddie videos (some way way too many times) and I have to say that this one is my favorite if just for the Corinthian skit alone.

He's sharp, he's "on" and he's Eddie. There's nothing more to ask for.

My recommendation in order of best to less best:

Definite Article
Dress to kill
Glorious
Sexie (saw him live both nights in DC and he was awesome)
Unrepeatable
Circle (not his best tour - I saw him live on that one)

But crap Eddie is better immeasurably than no Eddie so pick any one and start there.

Not as good as "Dressed to Kill", but it's damn close! Izzard's ablity to take the everyday and make it absurd is classic. I will never look at old ladies in the grocery store the same way. If you liked his other shows, you will really enjoy this.

Another hilarious DVD from Eddie. While it may be lacking some of the social commentary and serious moments found on later DVDs, it is full of comedy which will have you laughing so hard your stomach will hurt and you'll have tears in your eyes. Buy this; you won't be sorry.

Based on the other Eddie Izzard reviews, I guessed this one would be not so good. I was happily surprised, and while not meeting the perfection of his performance in Dressed to Kill,
I think it may have surpassed Glorious, though I highly recommend all 3 for a collection. Interestingly enough, all three performances are unique and do not reuse material, which again attests to Eddie's intellect and value.

Buy far the best Eddie Izzard show that I've seen. I own them and have seen them all but this one takes the cake (and not the death). All of the bits that he does on this DVD make you wonder, how could something so simple make me laugh so hard. Izzards quick wit and this ability to handle a crowd make all of his shows incredible, especially this one. Buy it now!

Eddie Izzard is without a doubt my favorite comedian out there. This one isn't quite as sharp as Dress To Kill but it is still fantastic. This is a must for any fan of the Executive Transvestite.

Eddie Izzard is the king of improv and this DVD is no exception.
This is probably his best show up to "Dress to Kill." I would not hesitate in recommending this DVD to anyone! I've loved Eddie since "Glorious."

I am a great fan of Eddie Izzard, and have all his other DVD's. In spite of the glowing reviews I read on this one, I was somewhat disappointed in it, both technically and subjectively. There is no feature on the DVD to allow the viewer to listen in English and have English subtitles as well, which my husband and I both like since it is not always easy to catch every word Eddie says, and also I don't feel the material measures up to that of "Dress to Kill", which was my first exposure to Eddie and remains my favorite.

I've been a fan of Eddie Izzard's bizzarely off-the-wall humour since his appearences in BBC's Have I got News for You. Dress to Kill was the first time I'd seen him do stand-up though and it blew me away.

Of course, I then had to obtain his other works; Glorious, Circle and so on. Definite Article was the last DVD of his I purchased, and boy did I save the best until last!

Knowing this was shot in 1996 I was concerned about the performance, production values and content. I needn't have been - this is Eddie at his finest. The theatre was stunning and the set was very apt, with a massive book opening revealing the man himself on a huge chair atop a staircase. Of course, after the applause dies down what you get is pure Izzard, with non-sequiturs, mumbling, laughing at his own silliness, and topics and themes are juggled haphazardly with some trailing off, others returning later in the set to kick you where it hurts. And since Eddie isn't really a topical comedian it stays the test of time, with only his bit on pausing VCRs reminding you the video you're watching is not quite as contemporary as it appears.

Clearly having fun, Izzard let's his ad-lib skills run free. And every topic is a gem, every bit is wonderful. The bit on James Bond had me literally in tears and I had to pause the DVD and regain my composure. I still laugh about this DVD days after viewing it.

So if you haven't added this one to your collection yet do so! You won't regret it.