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Black Books Complete Box Set

Artist: Black Books
Studio: Channel 4 DVD
Category: DVD

List Price: ~~Ł29.99~~
Buy New: Ł12.66
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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

32 reviews
Sales Rank: 132

Format: Box Set, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Number Of Items: 3
Running Time: 426
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.6 x 0.9

EAN: 6867441005292
ASIN: B000F5YYCK

Release Date: August 14, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new and sealed. Same day dispatch by first class post. International orders are sent by priority airmail.

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 32

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Bernard Black is God!! June 5, 2008
How did I never watch this when it was on TV? Why did it take one very drunken/hungover weekend with someone who owned the boxset to introduce me to the best comedy show I think I have ever seen? A show that no matter how many times you see it it always makes you laugh! I have to admit that I am ashamed of myself for not realising the sheer brilliance and genius of Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey until now.

From start to finish Black Books does not disappoint. As with anything there are some episodes which are stronger than others but there is always something to laugh at, whether it just be the terms of endearment that Bernard calls poor MannyMoo. The characters are larger than life and their relationship, as with that of next door neighbour Fran, is a complete riot. The way they talk to each other spawning many a new phrase between me and my friends.

There are so many fantastic episodes, Manny's fear of 88 degrees, The children's book, where Bernard gets locked out of the shop for the night all laugh out loud comedy gems. Also the quotes: 'Bernard I ate your bees', 'It's hot inside the worm', 'The wiggle of Judas', 'The Little Book of Calm' and Fran's singing with an Irish accent are worth buying the boxset alone.

I mithered a friend of mine to by this set for weeks, eventually he gave in and bought it. I got an email from him saying he had to space out the episodes as he didn't want it to end! Praise indeed. It's a shame that there were only 3 series but it doesn't make it any less essential for anyone who loves to laugh.

Spend your 'leatherbound pounds' on this and enjoy!

5 out of 5 stars

I believe in God again. He's called Dylan Moran. May 28, 2008
As a poor little Frenchman surrounded with poor little French comedies, I've discovered Black Books on Amazon, totally at random. To be honest, I bought it only because it was really cheap and the DVDs were subtitled.

Now it has become one of my favourite series ever. It's short, it's a little bit uneven, but it has so many classic lines and moments I can't count them. The re-reading of a children's book, Fran drawing a sex scene, the prostitute robot from the future, the French putain de kitchen, Bernard selling hamburgers, Simon Pegg's smile, Jason the glamorous adventurer, Frankenstein's wine, Manny's job appointment in the bar, Motorhead, the cat killer... and on and on.

The boxset is not only really cheap, it also has a great bonus : the outtakes. They're not all subtitled (I remember the second series wasn't) but they're sometimes even more funny than the actual show - and THAT means something.

And of course I discovered Dylan Moran. Completely unknown in France, he became one of my favourite actors in just two episodes time. His timing is brilliant, and he's so versatile ! He reminds me of the great Chris Barrie in Red Dwarf - same perfect knowledge of humor and satire.

So if you don't know Black Books, go and buy it. If you don't speak English that well, there are english subtitles. And if you don't understand english language at all, just bloody learn it... Black Books alone is worth it ! ;-)

5 out of 5 stars

British Comedy at its very best May 27, 2008
Before I say anything else...what fantastic value this box set is. 9.98 for all 3 series!
I shan't bang on about what the series is about, as the other reviewers have covered this.
I was introduced to Black Books by a friend and I was instantly hooked. The witty, satirical style of the humour never fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I watch it.
I would absolutely recommend the set to anybody who enjoys shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Black Adder and British comedy in general.
If you're unsure...BUY IT. You won't be disappointed!!!

2 out of 5 stars

Nowhere near as good as it could/should be May 2, 2008
0 out of 18 found this review helpful

This is quite poor tv. The concept is good but the actual delivery is not.
I had never seen the programme before on tv, I live in Spain and depend on recommendations from others who live in the UK to tell me what is good: This time it was a recommendation from Amazon itself - thanks Amazon!! Actually I view this programme as I would the 'embarassing friend' in a pub, ie -'Please stop'!!!! As another reviewer has said there are a few good jokes and sketches, but that is about it!!!!!

3 out of 5 stars

Undeniable, and yet underachieving March 28, 2008
2 out of 12 found this review helpful

I watch Black Books and really want to love it. In fairness it's not that hard, there are some excellent gags with terrific ideas and randomness that makes the characters ever lovable, but when watching the episodes as a whole they often feel disjointed and lack a certain flow of plot that its main comparisons (Blackadder) thrived on.

The Box Set contains series 1, 2, and 3. There are a few extras but arn't really worth concerning yourself with. It is clear, after watching every episode, that Graham Lineham is the main force behind a continued plot from which humor is strung. Addmittedly in the first episode it fells very much like a pilot or a pilot hybrid; a little jerky and a little likes it trying just that bit too hard to stay on its feet. But after this episode, the first series takes off; with hilareous moments and terrific ideas hitting you like an avalanche of books.

Unfortunatly, as far as I am aware, Graham Lineham had little or not input into the latter two series'. Certainly it becomes clear that the flow has been lost, and episodes tend to be a loose string of gags around a rough and often unutilised plot. Some of the episodes (imparticular ones written soley by Dylan Moran) seemed almost boring.
Of course this isn't a gosbal statement. I'm saying the latter two series are not funny (Blood from series two has some excellent character moments, while the first two episode of series three are two of the best) or that the comedy as a whole is bad, in fact it's good (three stars), I just feel that the often jerky episodes and annoying character actions (in particluar Fran - played by Tamsin Greig - gets to be a royal pain in the arse) let it down, and don't make the Comedy quite as great as many people want it to be (and I can understand that; hello, it's got Dylan Morn AND Bill Baily in it!).

But it, it's good, but only buy it if it's less than twenty pound; I honestly can't warrent spending more.