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After the Monty Python troop broke up they tackled
a number of interesting movies (“Time Bandits”), TV movies
(“The Rutles: All you Need is Cash”) and travelogues. They
got together for the occasional movie but on the whole they
went their own separate ways occasionally collaborating.
Cleese’s classic TV series “Fawlty Towers” lasted two brief
seasons (by choice not because it was cancelled by the BBC)with
a nearly four year gap between the first season (all of
6 episodes) and season two (ditto). ***
*** Set at the only hotel where the owner Basil Fawlty
exudes contempt for his guests episode titles give you the
idea as to the humor of the show; “Basil the Rat”, “Kipper
and the Corpse” and the rather banal sounding “Waldorf Salad”
(or “The Germans”) still give more than a hint at the insanity
that lurks underneath. Nagged incessantly by Sibyl (played
by Cleese’s wife at the time Connie Booth) and dogged by
an idiotic waiter perpetually in training by the name of
Manuel (Andrew Sachs) it’s a wonder that Basil can keep
a hold on his sanity. When you factor in his “demanding”
guests, it’s a wonder that Basil is as “nice” as he is.
These moments are just the calm before the storm. ---
Image & Sound:
The remasters are an improvement over the previous
edition which looked pretty good overall considering the
age of the source condition. “Fawlty Towers” will never
be a brilliant looking Blu-ray but it does look quite good
in its new DVD remaster. The sharpness and detail are quite
good. Colors and flesh tones have faded with the latter
verging more towards pink. The show is presented in the
original 1.33:1 full frame ratio which is how the show was
presented during its original broadcast on the BBC and PBS.
***
Audio sounds solid with a good mono presentation. Dialogue
is clear throughout. ---
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