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Reviews
Victoria Wood's Sketch Show Story (2001)
An entertaining history of the comedy sketch in the UK
Victoria Wood's 2-part documentary traces the history of the sketch from its early days as part of the variety/music hall entertainment to the TV sketch shows of the 21st century. Charting the growing sophistication of the style and its audience - from physical comedy and catchphrases to the multi-layered reference-laden sketches of today, this takes in all the classic British sketches you can think of and a few more besides (but see SPOILER alert below). It assesses how changes in attitudes within society concerning women, minority ethnic communities, and sexuality have been reflected (or more often not) by the genre. The clips and commentary are linked by Victoria Wood in new, specially-written sketches.
SPOILER: You may wish to watch this programme to see how your favourite sketch actor/writer fares in the 'place in history' status. If you were expecting the sophisticated historical and religious-based sketches of Dave Allen, prepare to be disappointed (as I was) at the programme's apparent ignorance of his talents. Although the rest of the programme is well worth watching, the exclusion of Dave Allen's work leaves the programme lacking from the 'definitive' history it seeks to be.
Walking with Dinosaurs (1999)
All the superlatives are true!
I have just watched these programmes as part of UK Horizons' "Walking With Dinosaurs" weekend and cannot praise them highly enough. The main series is so expertly done, you could watch it not knowing these creatures have been extinct for millions of years. The "Making Of..." documentary gives a fascinating insight into the long task of recreating the dinosaurs, and (thankfully) with a lighter tone than many similar documentaries. Watch them all, preferably on a large screen, whenever you get the chance.
Porridge (1979)
A great film (but the TV series was even better)
Many 1970s British TV comedy series were made into films - most were dire. This film is excellent, but below the level of the TV series which is one of the funniest programmes ever made. The characters (most of them) are all there from the TV series, but the pace is slower and thereby suffers in comparison. Despite this, the film is definitely worth watching. The plot centres around an elaborate escape plan which doesn't quite work the way it was intended, but Fletch, Godber, MacKay and Barrowclough can all be relied on. Perhaps the star of the film is Peter Vaughan as Grouty - at the centre of the action for a change. See the film - but see the TV series too.
The Flint Street Nativity (1999)
This is the school nativity as you thought you'd forgotten it!
An infants class full of misfits put on a school nativity play for their parents. The play itself doesn't run to plan but then it reflects the backstage squabbles, arguments, and power battles ("I'm gonna be Mary!"). Stephen Tompkinson is wonderful as the play's narrator, determined to impress his parents, and Julia Sawalha, Mina Anwar and Dervla Kirwan's trio of on-off friendships bring back the days when friendships were made and broken and made again all in the space of an hour. All this plus an iguana named Michael Owen makes a charming film for a winter's evening in.