The Good Life - Complete Boxed Set [DVD] by Richard Briers

I have been living in the UK for only three years from the USA and one of my friends here suggested I look up The Good Life TV show from the 1070's. My wife has seen these when originally broadcast many years ago, but she and I both agree, these are timeless episodes filled with delightful stories about "dropping out". The writing is witty, loving, and funny is too tame a word to describe the situations. It is performed by a fantastic cast that obviously enjoy each other's company, and the comedic timing of Richard Briers is brilliant to say the least, and complimented by Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington. I found the show to be delightful entertainment, and we look forward to viewing all the episodes in the order they were first broadcast, which I think this is the first and only boxed set that has been produced like this. Don't hesitate for a moment to make this purchase, even it you have seen the show when it was first aired. They are timeless enjoyment, and at this price, you will be getting a bargain for the funny bone.

Absolutely brilliant, as we knew it would be. Inventive and very amusing episodes with Tom and Barbara battling hopelessly against the impossibility of trying to exist on nothing other than the produce from a large suburban garden in the 1970's. Richard Briers (Tom) who was dissatisfied with, and escaped from, the rat-race, in which he occupied a meaningless artistic creation post in advertising, plays his usual role of the earnest, hubristic and somewhat inadequate male. Felicity Kendal is the cute, and often perceptive, little wife who, at some level, realises the hopelessness of the "Good Life" project, but loyally supports Tom throughout his blundering learning curve. Neighbours Jerry and Margot (Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith) are the well-heeled couple next door (Jerry being an erstwhile, and more successful, colleague from Tom's previous existence and Penelope Keith as Margot is in her characteristically insufferable snobbish woman role, here also being an extremely high-maintenance wife). Tom and Barbara sponge unashamedly on their rich neighbours. Tom teases Margot for her starchy, snobbish ways, while the worldly and cynical Jerry (Paul Eddington in some ways is the star of the show) keeps coming up with witty, dry one-liners and keeps under wraps (for most of the time!) the fact that secretly he fancies Barbara something rotten. Thoroughly entertaining throughout. Clever characterisations and plots. Could also represent a social comment of the time. Highly recommended. Chris Clough.

I'll admit it - I don't know how Barbara puts up with Tom. Oh he's charming and he's clever but he's also as moody as a teenager and as stubborn as... Well, me. That said this wonderful series is given heart and warmth by the beautiful, muddy, silly love that exists between the husband and wife. We might never have the courage - or the desire - to give up our jobs and turn our homes and back gardens into mini eco farms but Tom and Barbara do just that, and the resulting tears, tantrums and triumphs are a delight to witness. Watched - with varying expressions of horror - by their "upwardly mobile" neighbours Jerry and Margo, Barbara and Tom turn their world, and their neighbours expectations, upside down. I loved every minute of this series and I heartily recommend it to anyone who is feeling a little bit down about life. Once you've watched Felicity Kendall down on hands and knees scrubbing a range cooker for eight hours straight you're bound to feel better about your own situation, aren't you?

Absolutely brilliant, im 17 and love it which just goes to show how timeless these old comedies are. Watched all the episodes in 3 days. I was saddened to hear about the news of Richard Briers passing away yesterday. Just watching the chemistry between him and Felicity Kendal brings joy into my heart. In my eyes they were one of the most convincing onscreen couples to ever be on television. Of course, Margot and Jerry were also brilliant, Margot being my favourite character. They all contributed to the show in their own way and in my opinion, there are very few sitcoms around these days that have the same quality as the old greats such as this one. Wish i was around in the 70s to enjoy these the first time around but alas I was born too late.