Customer Reviews

One Foot in the Grave: The Complete Series

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One Foot In the Grave is one of the most cleverly written and funniest sitcoms you are ever likely to see. The main character Victor Meldrew is an iconic figure in British comedy. While on the surface he seems to be just a grouchy old man he is in fact a very deep thinker who tries his best to do what is right in a world he doesn't generally agree with. Sometimes things go his way but usually the result is disaster. The supporting cast are all brilliant, his neighbors Patrick and Pippa are forever catching him in awkward situations and are convinced he is insane. His feud with Patrick is one of the most hilarious parts of this show.

I don't personally know anyone else who is familiar with this show, I don't think it has ever been shown on PBS in my area although I know it has been show in other parts of the country at some point. One Foot is a show which I believe deserves a huge cult following here in the US if it were just more well known. In a way you could compare it a bit to Seinfeld in that there are usually several storylines in an episode that converge in the end, again usually adding up to disaster for Victor.

There are so many zany, surreal moments in this show that I couldn't start to list them here. My advice is just buy it and see for yourself. If you appreciate British humor you will in no way be disappointed. I might add that the theme song is written and performed by the legendary Eric Idle of Monty Python fame, he also guest stars in one episode.

One word of advice, if you own a multi-region dvd player try amazon.co.uk for the region two version of the box set as it is much, much cheaper than the region one version, this is true of almost all BBC dvds as well.

One Foot in the Grave's quality lies in its mixture of real comment on i) old age and growing old, ii) the intimacy of marriage (especially relevant as it is not in this case overly sexualised but quite normal and mundane) and iii) eccentricity and misunderstanding contrasted with the supposed normalcy of others (including their neighbours) surronding the Meldrews and iv) decency and kindness lurking behind Meldrew's lunatic outbursts. This combination provides fertile ground for comedy. There is another factor here and that is social history. Meldrew is undoubtedly an anachronism but one is really struck by how Britain has changed since the making of this series less than 20 years ago.

Top notch and intelligent comedy. Thank you BBC.

A fun AND insightful look at growing older together?? ... I don't believe it!
I'm amazed at how such a hysterically shallow comedy (think Mr. Bean or Monty Python) can also be poignant enough to bring you to tears nearly every episode. Be warned, these tears do run the full range of emotions: humour, joy, despair, embarassment, revenge, heartbreak..., and may occasionally remind you of family or friends' stories you never quite believed. Richard Wilson and Annette Crosbie are consumate actors who can elicit any emotion from their audience and make it seem naturally effortless. They are as perfectly paired as Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer in 'As Time Goes By', only 'One Foot in the Grave' has twice the laughs per episode!

Can't believe the plot construction. PBS has never shown this in my area. My soon-to-be retired husband and I have spent a lot of time with this and are looking forward to more.

SIDE-SPLITTING FUNNY. The GROUCHIEST Englishman in history but so much mayhem happens to him that he deserves to be grumpy. "The Complete Collection One Foot in the Grave" is a series based on confusion, retirement, and moaning. Situations are absurd and unbelievable--but pile up on newly retired Victor Meldrew like maggots on road kill. You will soon understand the why behind his famous line, "I don't believe it!"

Victor is played by Richard Wilson, a role he'll never live down. He's the Grumpiest of Old Men. He is as fantastic as the script (writer: David Renwick). Victor is the World champion of smart aleck retorts. He's King Curmudgeon. The British Bard of Barbs. Just when you give up hope for something more than cynicism from Victor, he provides an oasis bit of tenderness, a note of loving affection toward his wife. Actually, Victor, attacks every annoying item in society and life, taking natural law into his own hands, only he uses his mouth, and sometimes cunning retaliation. It's funny. He dares do what we've all been tempted to do. He's the occasional "Robin Hood" of OAP (old age pensioners). But you don't have to be old and retired to enjoy this one-man crusade against injustice of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. We've all been there, and you too will cheer Victor's act first-think second attack on fate's little burrs of life. Victor is a moaner and complainer with a purpose. Getting even?

Margaret (Annette Crosbie) puts up with her grumpy, conclusion-jumping husband, because she loves him. Interestingly, in the series she begins as the sweet opposite of Victor. As the years pass, they become more and more alike, disagreeable and dislike-able. But so, so, so funny.

The writing is a masterpiece of convoluted plots, woven together so smoothly, that one is forgotten in the movement into another, then, when least expecting it, some silly consequence occurs from the earlier plot activity. In the end, it's all drawn together, but often leaving one tiny aspect left to the viewer's imagination. It just makes it that much more fun. My wife and I are 60+, retired, and could relate.

WARNING:
Unrated DVDs contain language issues: heavy vane use of Deity names & such. Also includes sexual innuendos, discussion of private body parts, & nudity (breasts and especially OAP men's bottoms). NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN or your pastor.

SUBTITLES INCLUDED:
SubtitLes avaiLabLe, compLete with every "L" begin capitaLized for some Lark, simiLar to oLde Indiana author George Ade.

BONUS & SPECIAL FEATURES:
Every Christmas Special (50 to 95 min. each) 1990-Who's Listening; 1991-The Man in the Long Black Coat; 1993-One Foot in the Algarve Christmas Special; 1995-The Wisdom of the Witch; 1996-Starbound; & 1997-Endgame.
4 episodes offer an audio commentary option.
There's a featurette plus a feature titled "'I Don't Believe it'-The One Foot in the Grave Story" which is informative, humorous, fun, and even has subtitles.

Hours and hours and hours of banter, moaning, fast-paced silly gags, and annoying life situations so intertwined that "you simply won't believe it!"

What a great show. I am so glad to see it being released on DVD. It is quite costly, but at over 1200 minutes (20 hours), it seems well worth it.

Great show, Victor gets himself into scrapes and the poor guy is innocent, fully believable and hilarious.

I bought this as a christmas gift, my husband loves it so it was well worth the money.

This DVD arrived very speedily . It was in excellent condition and exactly as described on Amazon.
We find it highly amusing and are giggling every time we watch the antics of grumpy Victor and hapless Margaret...not to mention poor Mrs Warboys.

This popular British series about a crusty curmudgeon and his long-suffering wife, both in their early 60s, combines fine writing, excellent acting, sensitivity, and an exquisite balance between comedy and tragedy that raise it above the ordinary sitcom. The basic premise (he's retired, she's still working) might seem depressing but is sobering and realistic. And, although each episode can stand by itself, a thread runs through them all - the quaint, touching affection between the principals. I recommend this series, particularly to mature couples on their way to being elderly.

My fiance' and I live in Florida. He grew up in England and there are several TV series he is sentimental about. This was one of them. I bought him this set as a gift and it has been a huge hit with him. HE would rate it 5 stars. I give it 4 because I don't mind it nearly as much as "Dad's Army", another series he is very sentimental about. it is enjoyable though.