| Plot Synopsis By the time it cleaned up at the 2004 British Comedy Awards, beating out such formidable competition as The Office and Nighty Night, this sketch-comedy showcase had already been through several incarnations. Originally produced as an audio series for the BBC's Radio Four, Little Britain won fans across the U.K. for its subversive send-up of 21st century British archetypes: a laddish lothario with a thing for his mate's elderly gran; a bossy small-town gay boy desperate to hold onto his uniqueness; the world's most unconvincing cross-dresser; and a sour, surly diet guru with a weight problem of her own. The brainchild of Matt Lucas and David Walliams, who portray many of their own creations, Little Britain progressed to a successful television incarnation on the new digital channel BBC3 in early 2003. With Tom Baker on board as the program's sardonic narrator and Buffy the Vampire Slayer vet Anthony Stewart Head portraying a put-upon prime minister, the show quickly earned a cult following. By the time a second series appeared in 2004, Little Britain had been promoted to the more mainstream BBC1. Multiple wins at the aforementioned British Comedy Awards established the program's status as a marquee attraction. But its geographically specific humor did not immediately attain international popularity the way previous Britcoms such as Absolutely Fabulous had. An odd, distinctly British sketch show, LITTLE BRITAIN rose to become one of the most popular comedy shows in its native U.K. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams in a variety of guises, each sketch features a unique take on the minutiae of British life. Imitating people from various walks of life, Lucas and Walliams grotesquely exaggerate them for comedic effect; their chirpy yet deliberately irritating character Vicky Pollard even spawned a catchphrase that seeped into everyday use in Britain ("yeah, but no, but yeah!"). In a further twist, former DOCTOR WHO actor Tom Baker provides voiceover duties for a number of sketches, with his booming, Shakespearean tones adding a further aberration to the absurdist m�l�e. LEAGUE OF GENTLEMAN fans should find plenty of amusement in this well-observed set of caricatures, with the folk who populate LITTLE BRITAIN offering a sprightly counterpart to the dark and devious inhabitants of Royston Vasey. The first season is included here in its entirety Reviews Dennis Landmann Moviefreak FINAL THOUGHT I highly recommend Little Britain. Its concept and execution (in terms of style and production) is impressive. Creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams know their comedy very well and are also terrific actors. "Little Britain" is a very funny show. Yeah, I know. Francis Rizzo III Dvdtalk posted July 30, 2005 The Bottom Line "Little Britain" is one of the most impressive comedy series to emerge from the UK in some time, and as a rather universal, yet cult-accessible series, it really has the chance to gain a massive audience on DVD. BBC Video must have realized this, as they pulled out all the stops for this set, delivering a beautiful set of well-produced episodes and an extensive collection of extras that go beyond the show and should satisfy old fans and new. If you're a fan of what good sketch comedy can produce, and can handle a British accent, this is a must-see series and the package makes it well worth purchasing. |
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| LITTLE BRITAIN 2003 - UK - 3 Hours, 45min - TV Series - Color |
| Genre / Type - Television, Comedies, British, Series, Comedy, Television, Comedy (General), Sketch Comedy, Television/TV Series Tones - Campy, Satirical, Irreverent Moods - Just for Laughs Produced by - BBC Cast Matt Lucas David Walliams Tom Baker Anthony Stewart Head |
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