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'Allo 'Allo - The Complete Series One

'Allo 'Allo - The Complete Series One

List Price: $34.98
Your Price: $27.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: where is the rest?
Review: please release the rest of the show soon, how long do we have to wait?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Absolutely Hilarious Britcom!
Review: Set during WW2 in the tiny village of Nouvion in German-occupied France, Allo Allo is a classic British character comedy. Those familiar with Are You Being Served? will already be familiar with the writing style of David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd and will have some idea of the type of humour to expect, and fans of that series will certainly want to check this one out.

For those unfamiliar, the series revolves around the increasingly complicated life of cafe owner, Rene Artois (played to perfection by Gorden Kaye). Rene has a nice little quid pro quo system going with two German officers, but it all begins to go pear-shaped when Michelle of the French Resistance arrives on the scene and "persuades" Rene to set up a radio link with the British in his cafe and, worse still, to hide two British airmen there! As if that is not enough, the Gestapo (in the form of the limping, humourless, trench-coat-wearing Herr Flick), whom even the Germans fear, is a constant threat--particularly as the two German officers have decided to "provide for their retirement" by pocketing the odd treasure of war (whilst "persuading" Rene to aid and abet them!).

With all that on his plate, one wouldn't think Rene would have space for any secrets of his own, but he does--in the form of a very reciprocated lust for his two waitresses. As a balding, cowardly, middle-aged man with a paunch who seems to be constantly (albeit justifiably!) perspiring, Rene is not the most obvious choice for a sex symbol--yet sex symbol he is, for even his wife adores him (to the point of believing unquestioningly some extremely unbelievable excuses--always prefaced by "You stupid woman"--when she finds Rene with his arms around one of the waitresses). As if that's not enough, a huge not to mention hilarious misunderstanding results in a rather effeminate German lieutenant--who happens to have taken quite a fancy to Rene--mistakenly believing his feelings are reciprocated!

In case it sounds like I've given the entire series away, fear not--for all this unfolds (or should I say "unravels"!) in the first (pilot) episode. As should be obvious, this series contains the most tangled plot of any Britcom--and it just keeps getting more and more so with each successive episode. So it's a real plus to have each episode opening with Rene, in a direct address to the camera, reminding us of just where we are in the plot. One final hilarious touch is the use of accents to represent the language spoken. The French and Germans understand each other perfectly, but the French (with the exception of Michelle) don't understand any English, and the British airmen don't understand a word of French (or German)--which results in them being totally clueless most of the time!

The disc contains all eight 30-minute episodes from the first series. DVD extras include a 7-minute television interview with Gordon Kaye (1985), wherein he discusses the success of the series, and a snippet taken from a charity fundraiser of the cast singing a 2-minute song. There are also text-based bios and the pilot script.

In conclusion, with a wealth puns, innuendo, and misunderstandings, and a cast of entertaining characters, this is a series I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the best in classic British character comedy.


Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Klop!
Review: The first time I saw this series was in 1994 when I was in Holland watching it with Dutch Subtitles- I have told countless people how funny it is and am so glad I can now see it in the US and share it with my family! I hope the next sets come out soon!!!!!! The humor can be dark and obvious, but is nevertheless refreshing- The fun is that no country is spared- Allo Allo pokes at British, French, and German alike- My favorite catchphrase, is when Michelle of the Resistance starts every dialogue with "Listen carefully, I shall say this only Once!" Its an inside family joke with those of us who have seen the series! I hope others enjoy this series as much as I did-

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: HALLELUJAH!
Review: The funniest Brit-Com ever created (and that's saying an hilarious mouthful) is FINALLY out on DVD. May every episode follow. I CANNOT WAIT to own this masterpiece of ensemble casting. Blessings upon blessings to s/he who is releasing LAUGHTER, THE BEST MEDICINE, to us in the form of 'Allo 'Allo.
(Thees 'as been Night'awk speaking to you - now take my word and go out and BUY THIS!)

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Allo Allo - series 1
Review: The quality of sound and picture on this DVD was quite disappointing. Hope that the next series becomes available soon and is of better quality. Expected better from the BBC

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Farcical German-occupied France. One of ten best Britcoms.
Review: These are the French (picture a cafe favored by the occupying Germans in a small french town) and over there in the dark, scheming to foil the Germans are the French resistance. The ONLY problem is that the resistance can't seem to accomplish anything without help, and that help is conveniently sought from the town's cafe owner. This character is a Lou Costello sort of fellow, but with considerably more intelligence; nevertheless, not enough to extricate himself out of the crazy schemes dreamt up by the French resistance leader. This is the plot of the show. Picture an ensemble Laurel and Hardy task-based sitcom werein the caricatured players are stealing/concealing/and playing hot potato with paintings to sell after the war; and are fashioning schemes (in a more adult manner, but reminiscent of the American classic rerun "Gilligan's Island") to return 2 airmen that were forced to bail out of their plane and dropped into this town, back to England. The series is known for it's tag lines; think of The Honeymooners "Bang Zoom"/"I've got a BIG mouth"/etc, "Yes Minister"(from that eponymously named Britcom), & "I know nothing" (from Hogan's Heroes, a show which is more similar to 'Allo 'Allo than not), and multiply by 10. In addition, it's full of innuendo and farcical sterotypes, but remains unoffensive and amusing...as well as being addictively likable. Do give this Britcom a try if any of the above makes sense and seems at all appealing to you. I hope I have given you a feel whether this may be so or not in your individual case. Cheers!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Doesn't get much better than this!
Review: This is british humor, in all it's splendor, at it's very best! Great actors, somewhat chaotic plot and a solid kick to a number of "established facts" concerning WWII in France.
To put it short; a must for all fans of terrific humor!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: BUY THIS DVD
Review: This is by far one of the funniest shows I have ever seen, and cleverly written. The DVD release is a momentous occasion and everyone needs to buy this DVD so BBC America will continue to produce Region One DVD's for us and get all 10 series produced...including series 5 which is actually 25 episodes, as opposed to the seven or eight that they ussually have.

BUY THIS DVD...it's worth the ivestment

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great fun!
Review: This is my all-time favorite Britcom. Brilliant writing and a superb cast. I ask the BBC and Warner to give us the entire series on DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Listen very carefully...
Review: This is without a doubt the funniest TV sitcom I have seen. Lloyd and Croft are masters at their craft and I think this is them at their best. I wait eagerly for the next release to follow more adventures of "the bravest man in all France."


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