Search - Good Neighbors: The Complete Series 1-3 on DVD

Hysterically Funny

S. Fackler | Tamarac, FL United States | 03/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't review this specific DVD set, as it has not been released yet at this time. But I own all of these episodes on VHS, and so had to write something to encourage anyone looking at this item to purchase it.

"The Good Life" is at its base the story of Tom and Barbara Good, a happily married couple living in Surbiton, a London suburb. Tom designs toy prizes for cereal boxes until the night he decides that he and Barbara should try something new: living in an entirely self-sufficient manner. What this translates to is transforming their suburban home into a smallholding (farm).

How this happens, and the Good's adventures in farming, are only part of the humor. Tom and Barbara are funny, but it's their neighbor, Margot Leadbetter, who makes tis show really stand out. Margot's husband Jerry used to be Tom's boss, and they've all been friends for a long time. Margot is a dreadful snob, even thought deep down she truly is a good and caring friend. It's an indication of the writing quality (and the quality of Penelope Keith's performance) that while Margot could have become a caricature, she never does. Instead she is slowly revealed as a fascinating and affectionate woman who, although she thinks Tom and Barbara are crazy, nonetheless loves them and wants to be their friend.

The actors are all solid, and soldily funny, the concept cute and fertile ground for jokes, but it's the timelessness and non-gimicky friendship of the show's characters, and the solid cast, that makes "The Good Life" a classic, not just in British comedy, but all comedy. The fact that this show was selected to do a Royal Command Performance will give some indication of how enormously popular and funny it was.

If you like "Fawlty Towers," "The Office," "Father Ted," etc., you will love The Good Life. If you like American shows like "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Friends", "Arrested Development", you will also love The Good Life.

I can't say enough good things! I am thrilled to see this will be released on DVD soon!"

The best of all Britcoms.

J. Cowan | Beaumont, Texas United States | 04/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the title says, it's the best of the Britcoms. The cast is great, the writing is great, and the whole thing is utterly charming.



There's not a whole lot more to say, except, in response to one of the previous reviewers questions, that it's going to contain all those episodes that didn't make it to VHS. The three seasons on these DVDs each had seven episodes. At about 28 minutes each, that's 588 minutes, which doesn't even come close to the 640 minute runtime advertised for this set."

A sweet DVD release for the sweetest television program ever

J. M. Ambrosio | New Jersey, USA | 06/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had the new DVD set for about ten days now (my local retailer had it out on the shelves a week before the official release date, I grabbed it the moment I spotted it), so I guess I will be the first to give the rundown on the set.



This is a high-quality release from BBC Video, on par with the "Fawlty Towers" and "Yes, Minister" sets. There are four single-sided discs in an attractive, colorful fold-out case -- one series (or season) per disc, plus a fourth for the 1977 Christmas special plus a few extras. I have watched about half the episodes and they are bright and clear, no problems with picture or sound quality. One odd thing: although the package is labeled "Good Neighbors", the titles on the episodes themselves say "The Good Life", the original name of the series (the music and graphics are the same).



The set is light on special features, the main feature being an interview with "cast, crew, and celebrity fans" that runs about a half hour. It is basically a highlight reel from the series, with running commentary from Richard Briers, Penelope Keith, and some other British television personalities who will probably only be familiar to residents of the UK. Nothing too profound here, just a lot of people going on about how wonderful the show was, sort of like a long promo (but still fun to watch). The only disappointment is that Felicity Kendal does not make an appearance.



Still, the most important thing is that all the episodes from series 1-3 are included, in their original broadcast order. Another reviewer mentioned that the series finale is "missing" from the set, and that is true -- none of the episodes from the fourth and final series are included, presumably because they were previously released as part of a DVD set from Acorn Media. Apart from that one flaw, this is a terrific set, and a must-have.



As for the show itself, what can I say? This is without doubt the sweetest television program ever made. And by "sweet", I do not mean sickly sweet like some Disney-esque treacle that makes you want to vomit, I mean four immensely appealing actors, playing truly lovable characters (yes, even Margo Leadbetter is lovable in her own insecure, wannabe snob sort of way). The Goods enjoy a warm, happy marriage, and genuine friendship with their neighbors, the Leadbetters, and you cannot help but smile and cheer for them, as they stand by each other through thick and thin. "The Good Life" is an ideal program for a family to watch together, or for anyone who is feeling down on a rainy day.



The contents of the set:



Disc 1, Series 1



1. Plough Your Own Furrow

Tom and Barbara Good decide to leave the rat race of every day life and become as near to self-sufficient as possible without leaving their Surbiton home. Penelope Keith is not seen in this episode, however, her voice is heard right at the very end.



2. Say Little Hen

The Goods continue to acquire animals but their next door neighbors Jerry and Margo Leadbetter try to save the Goods from themselves.



3. The Weaker Sex?

A cast iron stove nearly puts Barbara's fire out on the whole idea.



4. Pig's Lib

When the Goods get some pigs, Margo finally draws the line.



5. The Thing in the Cellar

The Goods search for alternative sources of food and Tom puts dung to good use in the cellar.



6. The Pagan Rite

Bills pile up, the Goods need a holiday, and Tom weighs his moral ideals against accepting a job to help pay for it all.



7. Backs to the Wall

On the day before harvest, Tom hurts his back and the weather goes bad, leaving Barbara three days to bring in the harvest or it will rot.



Disc 2, Series 2



1. Just My Bill

Tom and Barbara have proved their mettle in the Garden, but they are challenged with making money off the surplus to pay their bills.



2. The Guru of Surbiton

Two students arrive to help the Goods out, but in Tom they find their new messiah!



3. Mr. Fix-It

A reporter arrives to do a story on the Goods and Margo schemes of ways to bask in some of their fame.



4. The Day Peace Broke Out

When a mysterious thief begins to steal the Goods' leeks, Tom declares war!



5. Mutiny

Jerry must choose between obeying Sir or trying to please Margo by attending her musical The Sound of Music.



6. Home Sweet Home

After hearing about an ideal farm from a farmer, Tom is all ready to leave Surbiton. But Barbara doesn't want to go, and she isn't the only one.



7. Going to Pot

The Goods decide to attend night classes to learn valuable skills. While Margo schemes to outwit a new neighbor adept at painting by taking up pottery.



Disc 3, Series 3



1. The Early Birds

After the Leadbetter's have enough of the Goods' crack-of-dawn activities, the Goods search for new ways to design their schedule.



2. The Happy Event

Efficiency is the name of the game, until Pinky the Pig has her litter.



3. A Tug Of The Forelock

After Tom brainstorms an idea for revamping the rotary cultivator into a transport vehicle, the Goods' try their hand at becoming a housekeeping service to the Leadbetters to earn cash.



4. I Talk To The Trees

The Goods decide to experiment with talking to their plants to see if they'll grow more as Margo plans to run for Music Society President.



5. The Wind-Break War

Miscommunication deteriorates into family feud when Margo's windbreak puts the Goods' fruits in the shade.



6. Whose Fleas Are These?

The Goods struggle to contain a flea outbreak and the search for the source is on!



7. The Last Posh Frock

When Barbara rips her last fancy dress, Tom can't understand how much she has sacrificed.



Disc 4



1977 Christmas Special



Special features:

- Interviews with cast, crew, and celebrity fans

- Cast biographies

- Trailers

"

An answer for JJohnson

Library Girl | California | 08/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Seasons 1-3 are owned by a difference production company than Season 4. So the company that owns Season 4 decided to release it on dvd in 2002. The company that owns seasons 1-3 just recently decided to release those episodes. So...yes, in order to have the complete series you will also need to purchase The Final Season (aka series 4.)"