Ripping Yarns [1976]

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Product Details

Director : Alan J.W. Bell, Terry Hughes
Format : HiFi Sound, PAL
Binding : VHS Tape
EAN : 5014503431327
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Video
Release Date : 1997-09-22
Running Time : 90minutes
Studio : Meridian Entertainment

ASIN : B00004CJVA

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

After Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-74), and well before going Around the World in 80 Days (1989), Pole to Pole (1992) or even Full Circle (1997), Michael Palin starred in Ripping Yarns, co-written with Terry Jones. As the title suggests, these were spoofs, affectionate pastiche-come-homage Boy's Own-type adventures. Each was an individual short film, less bizarre than the Flying Circus, not so consistently hilarious as fellow ex-Python John Cleese's Fawlty Towers, but inventively surreal with a daffy, gloriously English eccentricity. "Tomkinson's Schooldays" was the 45-minute pilot (originally shown as a one-off programme in 1976) and the funniest of the three tales here. A parody of Tom Brown's Schooldays, the humour comes from the violence, cruelty and insane rules of Graybridge public school in which the unfortunate Tomkinson is incarcerated. Ian Ogilvy is a fine School Bully, terrifying even Terry Jones' useless headmaster. "Escape from Stalag Luft 112B" is a P.O.W. movie send-up (from the first series), and "Golden Gordon" (from Series 2) celebrates the man who won't give-up on an underdog northern football team. In 1983 Palin made The Missionary, essentially a feature-film Ripping Yarn. --Gary S. Dalkin

Synopsis

Three classics from the pens of Michael Palin and Terry Jones. The comic sketches featured are: 'Tomkinson's Schooldays', 'Escape From Stalag Luft 112B' and 'Golden Gordon'.

Customer Reviews

Michael Palin at his best!! (2000-12-24)

Python member Michael Palin really uncovered himself as the comic genius he is in "Ripping Yarns". The scripting is sublime, not a line is wasted, and Palin proves an astounding versatility as an actor. Starting with his satire of the old public school system, moving on to the "old boy" army system and officer class, and culminating with his particular vision of football fandom, the sadly little known "Ripping Yarns" should be a great discovery for Python enthusiasts.

Beating the Headmaster was never like this! (2000-11-14)

Brilliant! For all of you woho enjoy wonderfully silly satires on the English Public School system, the World War Two Escape story, and the North Yorkshire Football Supporter yarn.

'Ripping Yarns' was commissioned after the success of what was supposed to be a one-off, 'Tomkinson's Schooldays'. My 13-year-old son, who has never known corporal punishment at school, didn't get some of the jokes. He enjoyed 'Escape from Stalag Luft' more.

It's a great shame that no-one seems to do these affectionate spoofs any more.

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