 | Starring: Artro Morris, Tony Steedman, Tony Millan, Stephen Greif, George Sweeney Format: Box set PAL Released: 02 Jun 2003 RRP: Average Rating:  |
This is good solid comic writing, & if it doesn't provide the spark of brilliance that propelled Only Fools & Horses (from the same director & the name of that series comes from a Series 3 episode name) into the stratosphere, it's mainly because time has not been kind to the Tooting Popular Front. Del Boy & Co embody universal & undateable facts of life which has kept them going 20-odd years. A similar show about anti-capitalists, neo-cons or New Labour would look similarly dated in 2030. The only political show that has made it into the classic Britcom fold is Yes (Prime) Minister, because it embodies eternal stereotypes rather than period detail.
Robert Lindsay is better known nowadays as Ben Harper in "My Family", but it is fascinating to watch the genesis of many of today's major Britcom actors from the 1970s to the present day. You can spot cameos by Gordon Kaye as a butler as well as the actress who played Angus Deayton's wife in One Foot in the Grave (I forget her name). A good one for actor trainspotters!
Wolfie still leads the Tooting Popular Front from disaster to even bigger disaster while waiting for the right moment to storm to power.
Whilst the main members of the TPF, apprentice Buddist Ken, career criminal Speed, & Tucker - a waiter with a Cowboy fixation, remain the same there are a number of cast & character changes from series 1 & 2.
Cheryl Halll who played Wolfies long suffering girlfriend Shirley only appears in the first episode, 'Spanish Fly' before her character leaves for a job in Italy.
Peter Vaughn (Shirleys Dad - Charlie), also makes his last appearence in 'Spanish Fly' to be replaced by Tony Steedman.
Harry Fenning (Stephen Greif), the Godfather of Tooting is replaced by Ronnie Lynch (David Garfield), in series 4.
John Tordoff appears as Tofkin in three episodes (Don't Look Down, Tofkins Revenge & Casablanca Was Never Like This).
My opinion on the changes are a bit mixed, while not knocking the performances of either David Garfield or Tony Steedman, Ronnie Lynch never reallly convinces as a 'Godfather' figure the way Harry Fenning did & Peter Vaughn's Charlie Johnson is a stronger more assertive character than the Tony Steedman portrayal.
Having said this, the alll episodes & characters are still very watchable & enjoyable.
John Tordoff's character, P.C. Tofkin works a good deal better, however, maybe because he's not directly replacing a character we have already got used to.
The episodes in this boxset include some absolute classics such as 'Only Fools & Horses', (which John Sullivan, of course, used as the title of his most famous Sitcom), The Party's Over & The Glorious Day.
Guest appearances include - Wilfrid Brambell, better known as Old Man Steptoe in the episode 'Only Fools & Horses' & John Challlis, Boycie from the Sitcom 'Only Fools & Horses' appears in 'The Letter of The Law'
The full list is:
Spanish Fly - Wolfie is shocked when Jose, the Leader of The Bilbao Liberation Movement arrives from Spain to see Wolfie & discuss financial support.
Don't Look Down - Shirley has left, Charlie is evicting him so Wolfie decides to make a dramatic gesture by throwing himself from the roof of the Vigilante. Can P.C. Tofkin talk him round?
Only Fools & Horses - When a protest planned at the Town Halll goes wrong, the TPF find they've Hijacked a Lift.
The Big Job - Wolfie owes a lot of money, & Ken is worried when Harry Fenning offers Wolfie a driving job, the faster the car the better.
Tofkins Revenge - Tofkin's back & blackmails the TPF into helping him get revenge on Harry Fenning.
We Shalll Not Be Moved - Wolfie & Ken barracade themselves in after getting an eviction notice
The Party's Over - Millionaires daughter Caroline Hayden has invited Wolfie to a party at the family mansion, but it's not alll it seems.
The Glorious Day - When the TPF gets hold of a Scorpion Tank, Wolfie decides the Glorious Day has arrived - it's time to invade Westminster!
Bigger Than Guy Fawkes - Showbusiness agent Bennie Saltzburg wants Wolfie to be his next Star. Little does he realise that getting the TPF released from their prison sentances for treason will be the least of his problems.
Changes - Harry Fenning has gone scuba diving with concrete flippers, Ronnie Lynch has taken over & June is fed up with having a Cowboy for a Husband. Can Wolfie help?
The Final Try - Ken, Tucker & Speed are fed up with everything going wrong & force Wolfie to promise to disband the TPF if he can't get the South African rugby tour cancelled.
The Letter Of The Law - Ronnie Lynch is up in court for bribery & corruption but Wolfie is on the Jury & Ronnie makes it quite clear what will happen if he's found guilty.
Prisoners - It's a shock when Speed turns up at Wolfies flat, as he's supposed to be in Prison on remand, & who's he bought with him?
Casablanca Was Never Like This - With Wolfie as Defence Council Speed gets Five years in Prison for a robbery he claims he didn't do. Wolfie decides to hire a private detective to help free him. But his choice, Dick Diamond, turns out to be ex-policeman Tofkin.
Sweet Sorrow - When Ronnie Lynch's plans are messed up one time too many, Wolfie thinks it can't get any worse. But when he goes to Ronnies flat to apologise he finds that things can get a lot worse indeed.
Buon Natale (Christmas Special, this is obviously set before 'Sweet Sorrow') - Wolfie & Ken decide to get away for Christmas & visit Shirley in Rimini, but can they cross the Alps on the Lambretta?
This is another great collection for a fan of the series or anyone that likes the Classic sitcoms. If you enjoyed Series 1 & 2 you will love this.
No swearing just lots & lots of laughs.
Power To The People !!!!!!
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