Open All Hours - Complete Series 1-4 Box Set [DVD]

Excellent

Very happy with my box set.

very good

Ronnie Barker was at the height of his powers when he took on the role of Arkwright in Open All Hours. Plenty has been said about the high watermark of British comedy which this series represents so, if gentle, knowing, and mildly suggestive banter is your thing, then this will suit you well. The scripts are wonderful, written almost as a stage play, and are character-driven like nothing is these days.The set includes the pilot episode. It is well worth watching this first, as it fills in Granville's back-story, which is mostly absent from the four series. It also features an Irish nurse Gladys, a character that is the very opposite of the grasping materialist Arkwright. The lofty stuffiness made her come across as remote and unattainable in my view. Presumably the production team thought so too, as her character was switched to that of a local lass, retaining the conservatism but losing the religious sensibilities. Lynda Baron's nurse is friendly, witty, and even motherly at times. Many of the opposites thus pass to Granville's character.The stories are domestic and often ostensibly trivial, but familiar too. This is, I suppose, what makes it such comfortably engaging material. The stories generally have three themes: Arkwright's ill-starred bids to win Gladys's affection; Arkwright's money-making schemes; and Granville's failing lovelife. These themes often interplay, giving each half-hour episode several plot threads. Always they end with Arkwright's thoughts as he shuts the shop at night.The only thing missing from the set is the 1982 special at the end of series 3, called "The Funny Side Of Christmas", which I don't think was ever available on any Open All Hours DVD.It is tightly scripted, never missing an opportunity to squeeze in a quip or exchange of looks. There is generally a veneer of seaside postcard naughtiness about it, but scarcely a foul word anywhere. There are so many hundreds of one-liners and story twists, that it stands replaying very well.The set is presented on four DVDs, each in a proper plastic box (not the nasty slimline or cardboard ones). The pilot episode is on the series 1 DVD. The DVD menus are in ghastly shades of orange and brown, and look like they were designed in five minutes. A little more attention to package design would have helped.It's great value for money.

Open all hours is classic corner-shop comedy series. Ronnie Barker is excellent very funny and his downtrodden nephew Granville. The series is well written lots of laughs and funny characters. Still funny today takes you back when you remember the corner shop. The dvd is value for money pleased with the purchase.

The full clopen all hours collection at a brilliant price, it really is a pleasure to own and watch at your leisure. I highly recommend it

Okay I'm a big fan anyway, but wanted the box set for Christmas viewing - very funny!

Bought this box set as I liked the show when it was on the TV

We got hooked on this show streaming but some of the episodes were missing or shortened. Loved seeing the full episodes.

This was a blind buy. Did not knew anything about the actors and the series.It was great value for money. It becamed one of my favourite.Great value for money. If you like clasic comedy you will like this.

I'm watching these episodes now and the quality is quite good. Amazing that i was able to acquire this set.

Love all these old comedies…. Nowadays it’s all considered racist or sexist 🙈🙈🙈Such sad times we live in….

Absolutely loved having all my memories of this very funny series in one set. It never fails to make me laugh.