Old Harry's Game: The Complete Series 1-7 Boxset (BBC Audio) Audio CD – Import, 14 Oct. 2010

This is easily amongst the best of the BBC's audio productions, while it is a very funny production and most of the episodes could be listened to as single productions, each having plenty of stand alone gags, there is also character development and more long running plots or themes.Each episode features the devil, "old harry" of the title, as he goes about working mischief in the world of man, making his frequent visits to earth, torturing the souls of the damned and confronting, well, what would appear to be existential angst, boredom and burnout for all eternity. I think this is very clever and reflects a bit of real thinking about what would be the consequences of living forever, having virtually unlimited power etc. A lot of the gags revolve around these themes, also some obscure and well researched material from the world religions, myth, legend and such also furnishes good material too.It would appear that virtually everyone is in hell, that is besides God, Jesus and the arch-angels such as Graham, mistakenly recorded as Gabriel in the bible, it certainly is were everything is going on and often the fates devised as eternal torment are ingenuious or ironic. A great many of those who find themselves in hell dont believe it or are slow to come around to the idea believing that it is absurd, this is part of the charm for the entire production for me, that it portrays a world in which all the wonder, horror and awesome nature of myth, legend and religion, as incredible as it all may seem, is absolutely true, and there is everyones downfall for the most part.Thematically the devil, his no.2 side kick, the most reprehensible and most virtuous, or otherwise interesting, members of the damned investigate facets of life, death, meaning, redemption, fate and morality which is at once hilarious and thought provoking. Most of it is done with cynicism and irony but there's optimism in play too and just desserts. Very, very highly recommended.

I loved listening to the series on the radio and must be near to hearing all of them for the third time on the radio now so I thought I would buy the box set as I would like to listen to it again at my leisure.In the box set you get all seven series and the first cd of the Christmas specials (so do not order them as Amazon suggests)but do if you feel like order the 2010 Christmas specials as its the only thing missing from the set(so far).Hopefully Andy Hamilton will write some more series about Satan and co's adventures in hell,be careful though it looks like the box sets are getting harder to get hold of and can vary in price for a new one from fifty pounds to over a hundred & I believe seventy five pounds from the BBC (when they are available).

I first started listening to this on the radio when travelling home from work but frequently missed some episodes depending on when I left work so I was delighted to find the whole set here! It is about the guy who has a fast car and cannot wait to get past the one in front. He smashes into him and they both end up dead! Then the story begins of a life in hell - with Andy Hamilton as the voice of the devil. I found it extremely funny - especially the bits about Jane Austen. And the description of the fates in store for this careless driver are hilarious (well, I thought so!). Well packed and fast delivery.

The story lines are brilliant, the humour is top notch and the contemporary references to events and people should not be too obscure for many Brits. I am very happy with this purchase as I no longer have to wait for the replays on Radio 4 Extra.Delivery was through Parcel Force, no complaint there.The disappointment? Somewhere along the production line somebody thought it would be a "good idea" to break up what is a 30 minute radio program into up to 10 tracks. I cannot see any need for this and it makes ripping a pain.This may not be an issue for anyone else and to be honest it did not spoil my enjoyment of the product.

Fantastic!! Andy Hamilton at his funniest!! Enjoyed listening to this on BBC Radio 4 and then later on BBC Radio 7. Just had to buy the audio box set. Never fails to amuse. Witty and whacky.

I missed this series first time round but have heard some episodes on late night radio 7 so I was delighted to see the boxed set available. It is still great fun and I have been enjoying listening to it in the daytime! I can still remember all the 'topical 'references and I suppose I am also cynical by nature.

Very good, very funny though I kinda expected to get hit with a thunderbolt for laughing at some points.

I have listened to this several times. Each time there has been something in it that I did not spot before, some little witticism to laugh at. The parts are brilliantly played, the timing is superb, the situations often still current, the wit is incisive. Loved it