Review of Ripping Yarns

Introduction

Most of the Monty Python team are generally remembered for Monty Python and not much else, despite the fact that they`ve also done other things too.

For example, as I`m sure most people know, John Cleese went on to create Basil Fawlty and Eric Idle worked on the very funny "The Rutles". Terry Jones and Michael Palin, who were regular writing partners on the show, went on to create "Ripping Yarns", which they say was a series inspired by the "adventure stories of the 1920s, all about plucky chaps doing their best."

Video

Video quality is not brilliant. It does seem that the series has simply been transferred on to disc with no thoughts about cleaning up the episodes and sourcing the best quality masters.

Lots of film dirt and scratches throughout, with some shots looking very messy indeed. An example of how 1970s TV shows look when no attention is paid to their transfer onto DVD. A considerable shame, given that this DVD is not priced competitively (an RRP of 19.99).

Audio

The original mono soundtrack is presented here, replayed over 2 channels. Everything sounds fine, and there are no problems with the soundtrack.

Interestingly, the BBC prepared some episodes with a laughter track, and some without, in case the audience didn`t "get it".

Features

Nothing here at all, a barebones disc with 2 menu pages and nothing else. A subtitle track is allegedly recorded on the disc but no subtitles appear when you press the button.

Conclusion

A mixed bag here. The video quality isn`t great, and the sound is ok, but what about the episodes themselves?

A total of nine episodes were recorded before the BBC cancelled the series on the grounds of cost. Three episodes are included here, "Tomkinson`s Schooldays" and "Escape from Stalag Luft 112B" from the first series, and "Golden Gordon" from the second series.

"Tomkinson`s Schooldays" was the first episode written, and is probably the one most related to some of Palin and Jones` work on Monty Python. Set in a school where boys are sent for the best quality bullying, ordered to fight the school bear, ordered to spank the headmaster, nailed to the walls and where runaways are tracked down by the school Leopard, you can soon see the Python influences. Most of the story is told in voice over by Palin, which brings to mind many of his recent TV travel shows! Plenty of guest stars pop up during the episodes, and Ian Ogilvy can be seen in this one.

"Escape from Stalag Luft 112B" sees Palin playing Major Phipps, who is an expert at attempting to escape from war time prison camps. He is moved to the aforementioned Stalag Luft, which turns out to be a different kettle of fish. The British prisoners order around the German guards, including an excellent guest appearance from the late Roy Kinnear, and thwart Phipps` many attempts to escape. An amusing variation on "The Great Escape."

The final episode "Golden Gordon" is from the second series. This is the least funny episode on the disc, but still has its moments and its guest stars - Gwen Taylor (arguably best known for the ITV sit-com Duty Free), and a brief cameo for a certain John Cleese (Eric Idle also appears in another episode). The story follows the tale of Gordon Ottershaw and Barnestoneworth United, and some alternative football-related violence, as he smashes up his house each time the team lose.

It`s difficult to recommend this disc to anyone other than hardcore Python fans. "Tomkinson`s Schooldays" is a brilliant piece of extended Jones/Palin Python scriptwriting, "Stalag Luft" is pretty good, but "Golden Gordon" isn`t that funny.

Add to that the 19.99 price tag for 90 minutes of un-restored 1970s TV show with no extras and it`s difficult to justify buying this unless you are a big fan.