The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin - The Complete Collection - Second Sight Films Ltd.

The High Price of Laughing Gas!

Why is this brilliant comedy series, which includes Geoffrey Palmer, not available in NTSC format? For that matter, why is it available only at a price approaching a barrel of crude oil? This witty satire is about a man who decides to get away from the rat-race only to have the rat-race discover his whereabouts and join him in his escape.

Please, O DVD Powers-That-Be, grace us impoverished NTSC viewers who must pay in dollars, with Reginald Perrin at a price less than a tank of gasoline!!!

Great! Super!

Leonard Rossiter's death was overlooked in a year that saw the passing of a significant number of acting and comedy legends. He had the timing of Eric Morecambe (who died in May 1984) and the intensity of Richard Burton (who breathed his last in August 1984). By the time Rossiter collapsed in his dressing room in October 1984, his death was not front page news in the way that Morecambe and Burton were at the time of their passing. Even today, it seems fair to say that Rossiter is remembered more for his performance as Rigsby in Rising Damp as it seems that people identify more with a miserly landlord than with a stressed out middle manager.

But don't let this lull you into the impression that The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin is inferior to Rising Damp. Different it may well be, but inferior it most certainly is not. Rossiter is his usual dynamic self, but the supporting performances are equally strong and one might even say that the late John Barron's performance as CJ eclipses them all. Unlike Rising Damp, there is a sense of continuity and history to The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin that needs to be persevered with especially at the beginning of the first series - but as we get to know the characters and their quirks the humour gains momentum so that by the end of the first series where Perrin attends his own memorial service in disguise the laughs are relentless.

The second series continues with the same cast and the same quality of writing and performing (along with one of the funniest pieces of dialogue you are ever likely to see when Perrin's brother in law Jimmy tries to start a rebellion and looks to enlist Reggie as a recruit) as Perrin's fortunes change dramatically. In fact, the laughs come so readily that it is seen as a funnier series as a result; this is only down to the fact that at this stage we know the characters and what makes them tick, which adds considerably to the humour.

The final series sees Perrin trying in vain to do something good for society and is perhaps the weaker of all of the series; this is not down to the writing but perhaps to the slight change of the usual cast with Tim Preece making way for Leslie Schofield who took over the role of Tom, Reggie's long suffering son in law. It was alleged that Rossiter felt that Preece was not giving his all to the role which led to him being replaced; if this was the case then the natural animosity that took place between the characters of Reggie and Tom in the first two series may well have been compromised as a result of this change of personnel. In any case, the quirks of the various characters involved were perhaps beginning to wear a little thin at this stage, although the finale to this series (without wishing to give anything away) seems somewhat apt.

To summarise, this is an unforgettable series with exemplary performances across the board (given that Rossiter was said to be demanding of himself and his fellow actors, it is fair to say that they must have met with his approval with the talents they brought to their respective parts) and a quality of writing that made The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin stand out in the era of the TV sitcom.

Super, Great!

I am only giving this 4 stars because series 3 in my opinion is a waste of time, and very forgetable.
However the first 2 series are fantastic, extremely funny and a must for anyone who loves british sit-coms. Shame they had to make that third series as it taints the first two.

A beautifully drawn and subtle sit-com

One of the best conceived sit-coms of all time: It doesn't follow the standard, which many sit-coms are slavish to. It is original, subtle, clever, and brilliantly written. Its characters are not quite cardboard cut outs, but are certainly flat and one dimensional middle class stereotypes with heightened mannerisms which make them memorable. They each have their own catchphrases and stock sayings, many of which have passed down into popular usage. Jimmy is the funniest of the side characters, with his stock excuses not fooling anyone in his many attempts to get a free drink and nosh up, but C.J. has to be the most important, as he is a springboard for the quietly rebellious thoughts and actions of Perrin. Perrin is the complete anti-type of white collar, middle class home lover who follows all the right conventions expected of him. Instead of being a typically flat, work obsessed executive who takes himself too seriously, Perrin is shown to be the only one among them with true individuality, imagination, depth, and an enthusiasm for something more than the executive lifestyle. As such, he comes across as almost a hero figure, and his idealism becomes quite attractive.

It is very interesting now, to think of the kind of themes that were prevelant in sit-coms of the 70s, and to compare them with modern sit-com themes. Perrin, The Goodes, Wolfie Smith and even Harold Steptoe were all left leaning idealists with a social conscience, and tired of the rat race. Back then, writing still reflected people's attitudes to the quickly changing world, the rapid growth of consumerism, burocracy, and their de-humanising effect on us. Now, notice how virtually none of the writing on TV, certainly in sit-coms, has this social or political interest in the world we live in. It is sad, but it sort of confirms the fact that we just may have been consumed totally by the ogre that is capitalism, and are now only interested in material objects, the odd abstract thing such as status, love, happiness, but most of all ourselves. Where has our worldliness gone?

This is a very British product, and proof that funny and successful sit-coms do not have to be based around a comic monster and unsubtle situations. It was also a good satire on 1970s middle class aspirations. You could even call it a distant cousin of Abigail's Party, as many of its situations were based around urban archetypes whom Perrin found appalling, for instance his garlic bread eating, Liberal son-in-law.

Leonard Rossiter = comedy genius!

I saw this as a child but could only ever remember Reggie imagining a hippo when mention was made of his mother-in-law! I didn't really get the other humour in it I suppose but that joke did appeal to me!(I preferred Blackadder at that stage). Having revisited this show recently I have to say that this is one of the best comedy shows of all time. Leonard Rossiter is fantastic, a brilliant actor. The script, jokes, everything are flawless. Some of the office exchanges between Reggie and co-workers will put your head in a spin! Great supporting cast, but it's Reggie who steals the show (although honourable mention has to go to C.J. - "I didn't get where I am today without being honourably mentioned, Reggie!"). Also who'd have thought Audrey from Coronation Street could inspire such lust?! No extras but who cares when the show is this good. Buy this DVD and witness some gold old fashioned BBC comedy gold.