42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't miss these!, October 8, 2002
Good Neighbors (or The Good Life as it was known in the UK) is the story of Tom and Barbara Good, a middle-aged couple in the 1970s who decide to escape the rat race by living a life of complete self-sufficiency. They exchange their car for a cultivator, and turn their garden into a full-fledged (if rather small) farm. Their good friends and neighbors, the social climbing Gerry and Margot Leadbetter (played by Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith!) sometimes provide support, and other times disapproval. Through it all, the antics of the two mismatched set of neighbors produces laughs and good times for all!
For some reason known only to the BBC, the first fives tapes put out had the episodes in some seemingly random order. Well, this two-tape series represents what they should have done to begin with. These tapes contain seven, half-hour episodes, covering the entire final season of the show.
Away From It All - Series 4, episode 22 (April 10, 1977) - The trials and tribulations of the self-sufficient life is getting the Goods down, and the Leadbetters want to help. What better way than by giving them a weekend off?
The Green Door - Series 4, episode 23 (April 17, 1977) - When the Goods discover that Margot is sneaking around behind Jerry's back, they want to know what she's up to.
Our Speaker Today - Series 4, episode 24 (April 24, 1977) - When Barbara is discovered to be a fascinating speaker, she is whisked off to extra speaking engagements, leaving Tom to deal with the chickens, just when their rooster (Lenin) decides to start a revolution.
The Weaver's Tale - Series 4, episode 25 (May 1, 1977) - When Margot sets her eye on a spinning wheel, Tom sets his eye on a loom. But, when Barbara convinces Jerry to clamp down on Margot's spending the whole situation goes up for grabs.
Suit Yourself - Series 4, episode 26 (May 8, 1977) - The balloon has gone up, Sir (Jerry's boss) has announced that he is retiring, and the Leadbetters become locked in a succession battle. The Goods are now weaving, and are determined to help.
Sweet and Sour Charity - Series 4, episode 27 (May 15, 1977) - When the Goods' neighbor moves, she leaves her heating oil tank full. Tom wants to take the oil, but Barbara is quite sure that that is stealing.
Anniversary - Series 4, episode 28 (May 22, 1977 & the last regular episode) - It's the Goods' two year anniversary of self-sufficiency, and they are ready to celebrate. Margot has installed a burglar alarm, but the people she keeps catching aren't the ones that should be caught...
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Acorn is poor at being a Good Neighbor, November 13, 2002
This review is from: Good Neighbors - The Complete Final Season / Royal Command Performance (DVD)
I just purchased the DVD version of the Final Episode and the Royal Command Performance. After watching just the first disk, I am disappointed. This product has not been video remastered and some scenes are very hard to watch indeed. They seem to shimmer a slightly out of focus haze that is distracting and not the quality that we expect of a DVD. In this regard AcornMedia has cheated us and I probably will not buy the rest of the series on DVD.
Otherwise I agree with all of the other comments. Good Neighbors is an excellent show and a wonderful laugh.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Here's to The Good Life!", May 29, 2002
This review is from: Good Neighbors - The Complete Final Season / Royal Command Performance (DVD)
What can I say about "Good Neighbors," or "The Good Life?" I own every episode that I can get on VHS. Now I own this DVD set with the added Royal Command Performance. I am waiting for the DVD release of the COMPLETE series. Come on BBC!
These episodes are wonderful. In "Away from it All" the Goods decide they've burned out of self-sufficiency and decide to take a break. I love the role reversal in this with the Ledbetter's. One word, "flollopy."
"The Green Door" also has some great twists. Margo is doing something secretly and the Good's curiosity runs rampant. The other episodes are great also. "Sweet and Sour Charity" has great Margo moments, and "Anniversary" sums it all up so nicely. "When I'm 65" the Royal Command Performance was great! After the lead in of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, there are some backstage shots and welcoming of the cast. You even get a glimpse of Felicity Kendal's son giving the queen a bouquet. Interesting narrative on facts surrounding the show. The episode itself involves Tom's worries about their retirement. The scene at the bank is pure "Good." Then Jerry challenges Tom to a race to see who is more physically fit. I already owned the final season on VHS, but I recommend the DVD for the extras.
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