Blott on the Landscape: Complete Series [Regions 2 & 4]

Loved the book by Tom Sharpe & this video version captures the book perfectly. Geraldine James & David Souchet are delightfully funny, but the entire cast is terrific. A motorway project in the countryside can spare 1 of 2 towns - local & national politicians fight to see which town will lose the argument. Graft, blackmail, drunken mayhem are just a few of the fun themes in this tale. Very funny.

Delighted to see this superb 1985 BBC six-part comedy series again. Perhaps it was even more enjoyable because the cast have become more famous: David Suchet (Poirot, Hidden); Geraldine James (Jewel in the Crown, Band of Gold); George Cole (Minder); Julia McKenzie (Miss Marple); Simon Cadell (Hi-de-Hi); Jimmy Nail (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet; Crocodile Shoes); and Jeremy Clyde (Chad and Jeremy, The Importance of Being Earnest.) The story is keeps one watching and the specially composed music fits the bill perfectly; David Suchet leading the pub choir should be a classic. There are subtitles and a 'play all' option.

This does take me back. I did watch it when it first came out on TV in the UK. I liked it then & having got the discs, I have watched it again & still think it is a great series. It is slightly surprising; hardly the plot anyone would expect but then, the writer was infamous for doing just what nobody expected. A great watch though I wish I could split out the episodes & not just watch "All". Anyway, aside from technical issues, I think it is a bargain & a great way to spend a few hours. Highly recommended

This is a wonderful movie, you are just going to laugh yourself right out of your socks watching it. I bought the DVD version because my old PAL copy was loosing it's sync and was very pleasantly surprised to find that this version plays great on a widescreen TV, unlike the old 4:3 PAL tape.

I love it so much that I am buying the PAL version and can't even play it! I have given up on ever finding a playable copy so I hope I can get it transferred somehow (or maybe break down and get a region-free player--they've gotten much cheaper now). I saw this series many years ago on A&E, I think, and have been looking for a Region I version since then. So this review is from memory. It's a very dark comedy as only the British can do about a couple who are at odds over the possible construction of a motorway through their estate. The dominating wife is against it, but the sneaky, profit-minded husband is for it. Like another reviewer, this series was my introduction to Suchet who plays their gardener with a past who eventually teams up with the wife. It's full of quirky characters and situations--and an animal or two! If you love British dark humor and you can play the DVD, then definitely don't pass it up.

Love David Suchet but this series was a mistake. IMHO.

Seller found a copy of this scarce DVD from the 1980s. Based on the novel by Tom Sharpe, I have wanted to watch this again for years. Only available on PAL format Region 2, but this was still watchable on my computer.

This is what I don't like about reviewing, I can't just click the stars to rate the transaction, I have to write something. Funny, and worth the time I spent watching it.

Blott on the Landscape was another of Tom Sharpe's masterpieces of farce, filmed around the market town of Ludlow, it is superbly cast and the acting is really first class.I saw this series when it came out on the TV and it was the first time I had seen David Suchet on TV, pre Poirot. George Cole was great as the scheming Sir Giles, Simon Cadell now gone, played up the John Dundridge character as a bumbling civil servant excellently. Containing many other actors of the day, many familiar faces, they all contributed to the great production. Julia McKenzie as the absent minded dominatrix was hilarious, this being the era of the famous Cynthia Payne case!The big house used for the filming is Stannage Castle, near to Knighton, on the Powys / Shropshire border and some of the exterior locations are recognisable if you live in the area.Great to see the 'old' cars which (were modern then and) have by now become Fridges!Great nostalgic viewing and sadly they don't make much as good as this any more!

This was a 6-part series shown on BBC TV in the 1980's.I recalled having enjoyed watching it back then and it was a nostalgia trip to buy it in DVD format. I was not disappointed.The various characters were all wonderfully acted, especially those of Blott and Lady Maude. For anyone unfamiliar with this series, then they are in for surprises, laughs and amazement at the antics in the plot.There were a couple of characters whose casting I wasn't fully in tune with, but the majority were superbly cast and gloriously over-acted in perfect keeping with the outrageous plot.By today's standards of action, sex and credibility, it was a gentle romp but nevertheless a jewel of a series for which I give the BBC full credit for its screenplay of Tom Sharpe's novel.If criticism could be laid, it was the absencen of "gorge-like" scenery when frequent reference was made to "The Gorge" but that's just being picky.I've been deliberately vague as to plot and detail so not to spoil anything for a prospective viewer. All I'll say is that it was a thoroughly enjoyable series that I shall enjoy over and over again and I rate its cost as one of the best DVD purchases I've made.

I've loved the novels of Tom Sharpe ever since I was a teenager and Blott has to be my favourite.The Handyman's have lived in the Cleene Gorge for 500 years but their line is in danger of dying out and all because Sir Charles won't do right by his wife, to add insult to injury, he wants to ruin her by driving a motorway through the Gorge and taking his wife Lady Maud family's house away from her in the bargain. Lady Maud has one ace up her sleeve, the family's faithful retainer, the enigmatic character Blott.The one thing people have to remember about Sharpe's characters is that they are grotesque caricatures of the middle classes, exaggerations of what we outside those worlds think people are like, something Sharpe took great delight in poking fun at. Of all the filmed versions of Sharpe's work Blott is one where this was taken to the limit, almost Hogarth in modern film form. You utterly dislike them all but at the same time you're intrigued by them and what they'll do next. This has been superbly portrayed by Geraldine James, all at once you dislike Maud but at the same time as she fights to save her home you're rooting for her to win. My favourite character has to be Julia McKenzie's portrayal of the scatty, ineffectual dominatrix Mrs Forthby, by being quite useless at her job of dominating her clients like Lynchwood by accident she actually succeeds in being extremely severe, a wonderfully subtle character trait. Then there is the enigmatic Blott, a refugee from Europe who was captured during WW2 and ended up working at Handyman Hall and eventually stayed on as the gardener and all round handyman, and Lady Maud's right-hand man. David Suchet just fills the screen at every moment with his extremely consistent character mannerisms throughout, not to mention the constant "trumping" he sings in line with the theme tune, as he wanders about doing Maud's dirty work.Of course with something like this set in the modern era it's going to look slightly dated in place but for the most part you can forgive the fact it was filmed over 20 years ago and concentrate on the story. People have complained that the quality is not great and yes compared to modern HD film quality this film looks a little dated but it's more or less the same for any outdoor TV film stock of the era and to be honest after 15 mins you'll not even notice it as the story will keep you engrossed.I would strongly advise you read the book before you see this, for me it made it come alive even more. The characters not quite as exaggerated in the book but the film does a wonderful job of really bringing them to life in all their hideous glory, every single character has something to gain over the others and it's just superb to watch such a great cast working together.

Brings back the memories - interesting to see how some of it has dated but some is still relevant.Geraldine James is criticised by other reviewers for overacting - this depends on your experience of eccentric landowners although she is still a bit OTT for my liking. David Suchet really gets into character as Blott, the man with the mysterious past and musical talents, and steals the show.I'd just re-read the book before watching the DVD and still found it entertaining. It has a plot unlike many films today.The DVD plays fine with no problems. Over five hours viewing for about a fiver.

Remembered watching the original TV serial and enjoying it so much and have eventually got round to buying it.So many old programmes and films are a disappointment when seen again when times have changed so much, but this certainly wasn’t. The cast are absolutely first class and never disapppoint in their roles of stock caricatures. CoGeorge Cole always a joy as his up-market Arthur Daly character with the very talented Julia Mackenzie his mistress, who dresses as Nanny Whip one minute and cooks fish-fingers the next, Simon Callow, brilliantly bewildered and exploited, Geraldine James in an early role of lady of the Manor with a mission, and David Suchet pre Poirot as Blot, the mysterious gardener/handyman as her accomplice. A loony plot as you’d expect from Tom Sharpe, but so very very enjoyable.