Review of Only Fools And Horses: Complete Series 1

Introduction

It’s 1981 and the BBC launches a new sitcom called “Only Fools and Horses”. It starred David Jason who was best known for his Granville in “Open All Hours” and newcomer Nicholas Lyndhurst.

I actually remember watching the first episode and, while I don’t remember the plot, I remember that my initial reaction was that it was a rip-off of “Steptoe and Son”. And, no disrespect to the talents of Jason, without the presence of Lyndhurst as Rodney, that is what it may have ended up as. But it didn’t. The comedy was warmer – more kind-hearted and was targeted to appeal to most of the family. After a shaky couple of episodes (series?), OFAH became Britain’s best loved comedy, with a family special every Christmas, regular as clockwork.

This disk contains the complete first series, including the first Christmas episode.

Video

This is a straight 4:3 transfer and it’s as good as you’re likely to see this material. Colours are a bit subdued and there are a few obvious blemishes on display. The image is acceptably sharp and does justice to the nice flock wallpaper in the Trotters` flat.

Audio

Simple mono transfer. In a sitcom like this all that matters is the dialog and this is presented acceptably.

Features

None.

Conclusion

Series 1 of “Only Fools and Horses” is not one of the best examples of the series. As you would expect, it was trying to find its feet. The characters are less well developed than you may remember them. Rodney is nice but dim, but more dim than nice and isn’t really being exploited as the moral centre of the stories. Del is really just a wide-boy with no real aspiration to a better life. And Lennard Pearce as Grandad has little to other than watch TV and be thick.

To my mind, the main problem with Series 1 is the lack of any real female characters. Sure there is the odd barmaid but they are just throwaway characters. The show really started to hit its stride when strong female characters, like Cassandra as Rodney’s girlfriend/wife, appeared and provided both a moderating influence and a source of plot tension.

Although Series 1 doesn’t fare particularly well when compared to later series, it is still pretty good and certainly worth watching. There is much pleasure to be had from these early episodes. The magic rapport between Jason and Lyndhurst was present from the very beginning and it’s great seeing it in action. There are some excellent one-liners and scams gone awry and you will laugh. Possibly a lot. My own favourite is the second episode “Go West Young Man”, involving Boycie, a dodgy motor, a bird with fat thighs and an ill-fated night on the town. Luvvly jubbly.

On the disk you get 7 episodes (including the first Christmas episode). That’s 200 minutes of Trotter fun. Given that the sound and image quality is as good as you are going to get, the disk is good value compared to the VHS version. If you want the first series and you don’t have the VHS version, then you’ll not be disappointed. Given the lack of even a single extra feature, if you already own the VHS version there is little reason to buy the DVD version.