Please Sir! [DVD]

Lets get something straight right away - this wonderful series/movie will be remembered most fondly for those of a certain age during the period of 1968-72 - it probably passed by those too old at the time and those too young to remember will not share the same nostalgic reminisces of this magical show and time period - (and i cant help but feel a bit sorry for them for that) For those of us at the right age, im sure you will agree that Its very hard to watch this film without feeling hopelessly nostalgic and romantic for a time period long gone which we all feel im sure was just about the best era to be growing up in - so in evaluating this fiim - im going to try and leave all the sentiment and nostalgia behind and look at this perspectivly, nearly 45 years down the line so what do we have? well, like the headline reads - an absolutely perfect comedy. An incredibly rich cast of diverse characters, top-notch acting and extremely clever and witty - laugh out loud at times - dialogue. This film has absolutely everything you could hope for in a comedy - not a second is wasted and the timing is just impeccable. It beggars belief how people like john alderton and indeed the whole cast could have spent the rest of their careers in virtual obscurity. This is a warm, gentle and brilliantly concieved movie from beginning to end. Because of the certain age i am though it does fill me with a sense of sadness at how many years have gone by and how the majority of the cast are no longer with us. This film is a magic and defining moment in british film history. Do i make myself clear? good!

This review is just for the feature film which was my only purchase. Fashions have changed, downwards in the case of skirts, cars are less interesting, certainly more so than the MG Midget seen in the film but human nature and humour are much the same then and now. You didn't have to at school (primary or senior) at the time the film was made to enjoy it or find it funny. School has changed since then, perhaps not always for the better yet true to life today, not all teachers look foward to the start of a new term! So as funny as I found the film, more so the first half, my teenage daughter really enjoyed the film as well. The second half of the film is a bit more 'preachy' with perhaps more of a moral message than the first half, but it's still good, just less funny in my experience. The DVD is mono but the sound quality is ok. The picture quality is quite good, not as sharp and clear as some DVDs of this era or more recent ones but other than the opening subtitles, assumedly filmed with a slightly dusty transparency in front of the camera. Would it sharpen up released as a blu-ray - the quality is already better than some shameful offerings I've reviewed - it certainly deserves someone trying. There are a few dubious phrases and scenes that aren't acceptable today YET none are malicious in their intent and in one instance its the parent rather than the child character who is the bad example. In summary, a funny film, at least in my own and my teenage daughter's opinion and despite not having the hype of some supposedly amazing old films re-released that turn out to be medicore, this is gem.

Hilarious. I'm old, I come from a time when kids could be naughty but nothing like todays kids. Teenagers back then didn't dare misbehave, they were too frightened to, their parents/teachers were waaay, way stricter and a very tight rein was kept on them. So when this came out my school friends and I thought it was brilliant and because I still have vivid memories of my own school days I still find it very funny today, I remember our school keeper was just like the character played by Derek Guyler, I remember having a huge crush on Peter Cleal and so on... Todays teenagers might find this funny and I reckon old people just like me will find it immensely funny too. Recommended.

Please sir complete box set plus the movie excellent quality print and great value for money

This is a great series of early 70s TV humour, not soured by the current fad for political correctness. It appears that many of the reviews are not actually about the full box set. The first 6 discs are superb featuring the well known and remembered cast and 5C, led by the bumbling but lovable Bernard Hedges (John Alderton) with Derrick Guyler as Potter etc etc. The second set of discs is a little different. Starting well with the familiar crew, the class inevitably move on and are replaced with a new bunch. Bernard Hedges, now married, also moves on and there is also a change in writers. That is the point when, in my opinion, the entire thing should have been scrapped. The new line up is just not up to scratch (I notice that none of the new crew are credited on the box). The film is also included which is a bonus. If you long for the good old fashioned family comedy that is clean (albeit non PC) this is a good bet.

Great show to watch at home with the family

the first season in great They made casting changes for the second season the second season not worth the time