Customer Reviews

The Vicar of Dibley, Vol. 5 - Autumn & Winter [VHS]

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When reviewing the first four tapes of "Vicar" I pointed out that all twelve episodes were much of the same thing: the best comedy you're likely to find anywhere. It has taken a year for me to get my hands on these latest two tapes and I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive: could that quality have been maintained? The grateful answer to that is an unqualified "yes". Unlike many series, this one has not taken a nosedive.

Having said that, I have to point out that it is not exactly "much of the same thing". The differences are subtle (or I think they are), but very much in evidence. Formerly the characters who inhabit the magical, mad villiage of Dibley were eccentric (and that is a subtle understatement), but in these last four episodes (i.e. volumes five and six) they become more and more absurd. Is it at all likely, for example, that Alice might suddenly speak fluent Hebrew and indulge in a tirade about implied homosexual rape? Would even Owen seriously consider juggling with live babies? What about Frank's increased references to his own homosexuality? And as for Jim's outfit for one of the Kings in the Nativity ...

These questions do not in the least take away from the hilarity of the series. Quite the contrary: they add an absurdist twist which induces the kind of hysterical laughter that forces one to stop the video for a while, just to calm down before the next onslaught. In so many ways these absurdities help to save the situation from becoming dull and predictable (although there are one or two really predictable jokes).

A must for devoted fans, newcomers might prefer to watch the first four tapes before embarking on these latest ones. I suspect that a knowledge of the characters is necessary, were one to make sense of all the madcap goings-on.

This tape has two forty minute episodes, "Autumn" and "Winter." Sparks fly in "Autumn" when David's brother Simon returns for a visit. Very sad and sweet ending to this one. In "Winter," Alice has "her first very good idea indeed," and the christmas nativity has a very real spin put into it. Personally my favourite episode is "Winter," just because it's so great.

When Christmas rolls around, it seems that every television show wants to produce a holiday-themed episode. Unfortunately, most are tired retreads of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" or O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi".

Not so, VICAR OF DIBLEY. Instead of going for these obviously derivative storylines, the "Winter" episode takes its cue from a much less comically rich source: the book of Matthew. Somehow, this tape finds a way to tread between high Christian tradition and human foible--and still be very, very funny. Like every episode of the series, there is humor to be found pretty much everywhere in the fine ensemble cast, but most is derived from the interaction of the long-suffering but gentle Vicar Geraldine and her confidently dimwitted gal pal, Alice. Some of the humor here, too, will be familiar to anyone who's ever had to organize a church or school play using less-than-Oscar-winning actors.

Wihout giving away the clever plot, it's fair to say that this episode works on at least two levels. For the family looking for a new holiday story that is respectful of Christian tradition, yet emblematic of the modern Church of England/Episcopal Church, this is definitely your gig. It's also a great buy for lovers of character-based British comedy, Christmas-themed or no.

That being said, it should be noted that some more conservative Christians may well challenge the notion of female church leadership (even though it's a fact of life in the C of E), and will balk even more at the other episode on the tape, in which the Vicar enjoys, then regrets, a pre-marital affair. Though there's really nothing on a sex or violence scale to offend in "Winter", some parents may wish to preview the tape before letting their children watch it. Non-Christians may not want to expose their children to a story so obviously steeped in Christian tradition.

Of course, from my perspective, there's nothing that children need to be shielded from here, especially in the Christmas episode. The series is not afraid to make strong statements of faith, but it doesn't do so didactically. impressively, Geraldine's humorous, but firm, defense of Christmas as "the greatest story ever told" is a fine example of how to live one's faith--whatever It might be--with joy.

This is, quite possibly the greatest British Comedy Series ever produced. Dawn French is nothing short of brilliant as Geraldine Granger and the wacky natives of Dibley are the perfect compliment to her level-headed, straight shooting and compassionate vicar. Of special note is Emma Thompson who is note perfect as the sweet but dimwitted Alice Tinker, and Roger Lloyd Pack as Owen (bugger!) the lonely, cynical and hysterical farmer! The rest of the cast is outstanding as well and have such fantastic comedic timing and rapport from episode 1 that they seem to have worked together for years prior to the series. Choosing a favorite episode is particularly difficult considering the top-notch quality of the show, EVERYTHING about "The Vicar..." works, from the writing, acting and lush direction, to the priceless interchange between Geraldine and Alice during the closing joke segments. I do have one favorite closing, you know the one when Geri tells her weekly joke to David Horton (the superb Gary Waldhorn) and he looks her in the eyes sincerely and says simply 'stay'. It's a beautiful, genuine moment that closes a classic episode in which Geri struggles with a decision to leave the village after marrying Alice and Hugo. All of this has been my roundabout way of saying, for great comedy, British or otherwise, "The Vicar Of Dibley" is the best you'll ever find. You can't go wrong with any series of episodes you choose!

Ah, the Vicar is back again, struggling with the unique predicaments both of being a single woman in the clergy, and in ministering to a villiage with more than its share of idiots. In these delightful episodes, Alice and Hugo return from their rather traumatic honeymoon, Geraldine romances David's suave if overly tall brother, and the villlagers decide to participate in a live nativity, with Herod (played by David) as a kind, misunderstood soul. Some moments to watch for include Alice's sex appeal advice to the Vicar, Geraldine's new kitchen accomodations, and Jim/Frank's utterly eccentric interpretations of the costumes of the three kings...but don't fear, there are far more dramatic surprises in store!

Not as funny as the wedding of Hugo and Alice, but there are snippits of hilarity. Too bad Simon turns out to be a real jerk. The first episode really touches upon the humanity of clergy and how one's needs get in the way of what's better-off for the whole community. The wise man bit in the second episode is down-right funny! Alice shows some intellect, finally . . . but one of her scatter-brained thoughts can only go so far. Would highly recommend this to all of us "Vicar" lovers.

I became a fan of the Vicar of Dibley after seeing it on BBC America, but since the beginning of 2001 they are no longer airing it. So I am collecting the videos. If you love comedy (especially British comedy) you will love the Vicar of Dibley. I could say a great deal about the program, but the bottom line is, it's funny and entertaining. Every character is hilarious in his or her own way. I can watch an episode repeatedly and it's funny every time.

I laugh and cry with the cast everytime I watch this episode. The actors are brilliant. The stories are well written with humorous little twists that make this series such a delight to watch over and over.