Product Details

• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: BBC Warner
• VHS Release Date: July 19, 2000
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004WG4X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,975 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably the best of the British sitcoms, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Good Neighbors, Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although originally aired in the mid-70's, "Good Neighbors" (originally titled "The Good Life") remains a timeless classic. Sadly, the episodes in this and subsequent volumes are random selections from the show, losing quite a bit from the experience of seeing the series in order and from the beginning. The series centers on Tom and Barbara Good, residents of the London suburb of Surbiton, who have forsaken the middle-class rat race to try their hand at independence and self-sufficiency. The episodes recount their attempts to raise crops and livestock and the reactions of their next-door neighbors, the social-climbing Jerry and Margo Ledbetter.

In "Backs to the Wall", Tom and Barbara's attempts to bring in their first harvest seemed doomed to failure when first Tom's sprained back and then a violent rainstorm conspire against them. With the Ledbetters on safari in Kenya, the fair-weather pub crowd deserting her, and only days to harvest the crops before they rot, Barbara must face the impossible challenge alone. Or does she?

In "The Windbreak War", the Goods' soft fruits cash crop are threatened by the shadow of a misplaced windbreak in Margo's arbor. Attempts to have Margo move the windbreak lead to one misunderstanding after another, resulting in a final confrontation and hilarious reconciliation.

In "Silly, But It's Fun" (a Christmas special not part of the original series airings), the Ledbetters face a bleak and lonely holiday when their Christmas order is not filled per Margo's expectations. It's the Goods to the rescue with a home-made celebration that fills them all with a good holiday dinner, real holiday cheer and spirit, and a renewed understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

All in all, this series and video is a winner.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent Britcom!, September 8, 2002

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Good Neighbors - Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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!

Sadly, for some reason known only to the BBC, the episodes of this wonderful show have been released in a seemingly random order. Still, this show is so good that it is better to have them this way than not at all! This tape contains three, half-hour episodes.

Backs to the Wall - Series 1, episode 7 (May 16, 1975) - As the Goods prepare for their first harvest, the Leadbetters fly off for a vacation in Africa. But, disaster strikes when Tom injures his back, leaving him unable to work. To make matters worse, a sudden storm flattens the crop, which must now be gathered in a matter of a couple of days. The Goods need help, and need it fast!

The Wind-Break War - Series 3, episode 19 (October 8, 1976) - After having planted their new fruit trees, the Goods are shocked to learn that Margot is planning to place a windbreak in a location guaranteed to shade the new plants. This means war!

Silly, but It's Fun... - Post-show Christmas special (December 26, 1977) - As the Goods begin making the homemade goodies they need for their Christmas celebration, Margot orders hers from a department store. When the Leadbetter Christmas fails to be delivered, the Goods take them in, and show them how good a self-sufficient Christmas can be.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Britcom series ever!, February 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Good Neighbors - Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I know there were lots more episodes made than what's available on video, when in the world are they going to release them? I know there's lots of people out there wondering the same thing. So how about it Amazon.com if anyone can bring us aficionados more "Good Neighbors" I know it's you. Thanks.