|
Yes Minister - The Complete Collection | 
 enlarge | Actors: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds
Studio: BBC Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $79.98
Buy New: $49.99
You Save: $29.99 (37%)
New (40) Used (10) from $40.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 17653
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 4
Running Time: 613
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 5 x 1.3
MPN: WARDE1748D
ISBN: 0790775964
UPC: 794051174826
EAN: 9780790775968
ASIN: B00008DP4B
Release Date: May 20, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/22/2005 Run time: 613 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
The elegant sitcom-cum-farce-cum-sophisticated political satire Yes, Minister sets off Paul Eddington's Jim Hacker, Minister for Administrative Affairs, against Nigel Hawthorne's discreetly obstructive civil servant Sir Humphrey. The pilot episode, "Open Government," is curious in that it contains opening and closing credits different from and distinctly inferior to the rest of the series. You also sense that Mrs. Hacker was originally intended to have a larger role, with comedy focusing on the clash between political and domestic commitments, until the writers wisely decided to focus on the stand-off between Jim and Sir Humphrey, with Derek Fowlds's mousy private secretary Bernard making occasional interjections. While Sir Humphrey is at times a little too sinister for sitcom consumption, all the series' classic features quickly show up: Hacker's occasional Churchillian bombast, followed by panicky double takes when flummoxed, and Sir Humphrey's unflappable verbosity as he brings the dead weight of civil service bureaucracy to bear against Hacker's naively optimistic schemes for open government and slashing red tape in episodes like "The Economy Drive." It's ironic that when Yes, Minister was first screened in the '80s, it was during the rampages of early Thatcherism in which government had never been less like the ineffectual politicking satirized here. --David Stubbs
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
First Among Equals November 23, 2008
I am on my second runthrough of all the episodes. It is both amusing and educational to watch the inner workings of a minister of the British Crown. I would highly recommend this series to those who appreciate dry British Humor. My next purchase will be the continuation called "Yes, Prime Minister!"
Each episode gets better as you view it again and again November 11, 2007
I have always been a big fan of Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister. The incredible thing is that when I had originally watched the series, I used to root for Hacker but later found myself taking some amount of sadistic glee over the manner in which Sir Humphrey gets his way. This series is one of the best ways to learn about politics, government and corridors of power in Britain. While the series has been abundantly exaggerated to create the element of comedy, sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. This is a series for intelligent viewers... each episode will seem better when you view it again.... there are far too many little details that you may not pick up on the first time round. Strongly recommend.
Stupendously good September 19, 2007
This is up there with the best TV comedy of all time. Fawlty Towers, Dads Army, Seinfeld, Black Adder, MASH and The Office - it merits comparison with all of these, its that good.
Paul Eddington is brilliant as Jim Hacker, the Minister of the title. A decent man who is destined to become Prime Minister, but who is greatly hindered by his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. Appleby, as played by Sir Nigel Hawthorne IS one of the greatest TV comedy characters ever created. A man with only one interest; protecting the Civil Service and its staff. He also ensures that if anything is done by the Minister it is done exactly as the Civil Service wish it to be done, regardless of cost and damage to the Government.
Apart from the casts brilliance and the marvellous scripts, the reason this show is so successful is that it is very close to the truth, as was admitted by the writers many years after the series finished. The writers met and got inside information on the running of British Government departments. So whilst there is some dramatic licence the essence of each episode probably has some basis in truth.
Derek Fowlds plays the lesser role of Bernard Woolley, a slightly innocent Private Secretary, but given some wonderful lines by writers Jay and Lynn. Bernards petty observations contrast wonderfully with the Machiavellian plotting going on between Hacker and Sir Humphrey.
I never tire of watching this, it really is endlessly funny.
One of the five best sitcoms in history September 11, 2007
A classic, the pinnicle of the craft. Pegs the droll meter. Part of the attraction for me is the knowing applause of the British audience. But one need not be British to appreciate the tortuous logic of governmental bureaucracy and the patently political machinations of elected officials. There's virtually no sex and only one catchphrase; it succeeds on sheer wit alone.
The best ever in British Politics June 18, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Magnificent creation by Anothy Jay and Jonathan Lynn. I own both copies of Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. As funny as it is, it shows the underlying humour in British politics.
|
|
|
|
 |
24-Volt Tools,
36 Volt Tools,
Autism,
Bb Rifles,
Blu-Ray Movies,
Bmx Bikes,
Carry On Luggage,
Coleman Powermate,
Dewalt 18-Volt,
Duffel Bag,
Livescribe,
Mountain Bikes,
Mybook,
Mypassport,
Road Bikes,
Weber,
Uniden,
Cordless Phones,
Scanners,
Loving Family ,
Razor ,
Trail Ripper,
Heavy Duty,
Pasta Maker,
Can Openers,
Wine Openers,
Wine Stoppers,
Wine Racks,
Wine Glasses,
Champagne Glasses,
Wine Cooler,
Puzzle Rings,
Kettle,
Ice Tea Maker,
Can Openers,
Knife,
Cutlery,
Cutlery Sets,
Martini Glass,
Margarita Glasses,
Teakettles,
Juicers,
Espresso Machines,
Ice-Cream Machines,
Ceiling Rack,
Pot Racks,
Coffee Brewer ,
Stand Mixers,
Hand Mixers,
Spice Rack,
Jar Spice Rack,
Cookie Jars,
Porcelain Fairy Dolls,
Miniature Dolls,
Ethnic Dolls,
Food Steamer,
Pressure Canner,
Electric Breast Pump,
Phiten Necklace,
Ice Shaver,
Electric Ice Crusher,
Snickers Candy Bars,
Speer Bullets,
Oster Clippers,
Magic Bullet Blender,
Kitchenaid Blender,
Oster Blender,
Vitamix Blenders,
Sierra Bullets,
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker,
Sonicare Toothbrush,
Electric Toothbrush,
Dog Grooming Tools,
Quit Smoking Patches,
Commit Nicotine Lozenge,
Nicotine Gum,
Nicorette Gum,
Swimming Pool Toys,
Banzai Water Slides,
Inflatable Water Slides,
Plastic Kiddie Pools,
Rubber Ducks,
Water Toys,
Baffin Shoes,
Victorinox Knives,
Hunting Knives,
Survival Knives,
Camping Lantern,
Camping Food, |
|
|
| |
