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Yes Minister - Series 1 on DVD (1980)

Yes Minister - Series 1 cover art
Average rating: 74%
231214311220
4.0
from 1,538 members
 
Starring: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds
Director: Sydney Lotterby
Studio: BBC WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING
Run time: 201 mins
Certificate: U
User collections: Top TV, Favourite TV sitcoms
Genres: Comedy, Television
Languages: English
Subtitles: None
Released: 01/10/2001

Brief synopsis of Yes Minister - Series 1

In the 1980s sitcom, YES MINISTER, James Hacker (Paul Eddington) is the new Minister for Administrative Affairs. However, Hacker meets continual opposition in the form of the tenacious Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Permanent Secretary of the Department. And stuck in the middle is private secretary Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds).
This collection presents the first series in its entirety, including the episodes: "Open Government," "The Official Visit," "The Economy Drive," "Big Brother," "The Writing on the Wall," "The Right to Know," and "Jobs for the Boys."

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Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsSuperb

James Bland from Stonehaven, Scotland , 07/10/2004

Another one from Scotland!

I must have seen these episodes numerous times on the BBC and UK Gold, and I never knew that the first episode had different titles and theme tune from the rest of the series! Other than that, even after repeated viewings this wonderful series still makes me laugh. The acting by the three main players is just incredible, often the laughs come from their excellent characterisation and facial expressions. A true British classic.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsBrilliant

A customer from Scotland , 18/09/2004

Coming up on 25 years old, Yes Minister is almost as fresh as the day it was first aired.

A lot of the humour at the time had a dig at the government in power which may be lost on younger viewers. But the comedy is still good enough to keep us watching.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsStill funny, still relevant!

Nicola Marston from Grantham , 25/07/2005

Such a funny series that (unusually) finds its feet right from the first episode. Many of the political dilemmas are still dilemmas today, which just goes to show how slowly the wheels of government grind. Fortunately, this does prevent the series from becoming too dated and thus hopefully watched by a new generation of viewers :-) Good scripts made better by good acting....very, very funny indeed.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsThe beginning of a classic....

Maxx from London , 19/12/2003

I remember watching these shows years ago, and again from time to time when they were re-run on television, and they have lost nothing in their DVD release. They are still an incredibly witty and funny look at English bureaucracy. Nigel Hawthorne is excellent in what was no doubt the role that made his career. It certainly proved his most popular. There are no special features on this disc to speak of and I don't think it needs them.

If you miss the days of incisive British comedy then take a look at Yes Minister series 1. You won't be disappointed!

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsTony Blair should watch and learn!

A customer from Wales , 25/05/2005

Excellent Series, the Big Brother ( aka.Identity Cards) episode is so topical to today, the basic principles of the politics remain the same, even though the technology has moved on, the same questions are raised, very clever writing and acting to match.

Brilliant.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSuperb

James Bland from Stonehaven, Scotland , 07/10/2004

Another one from Scotland!

I must have seen these episodes numerous times on the BBC and UK Gold, and I never knew that the first episode had different titles and theme tune from the rest of the series! Other than that, even after repeated viewings this wonderful series still makes me laugh. The acting by the three main players is just incredible, often the laughs come from their excellent characterisation and facial expressions. A true British classic.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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