| Black Books Complete Box Set | 
 enlarge | Artist: Black Books
Studio: Channel 4 DVD
Category: DVD
List Price: £29.99
Buy New: £14.99
You Save: £15.00 (50%)
New (10) Used (1) from £14.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 272
Format: Box Set, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running Time: 426 minutes
Number Of Items: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.6 x 0.9
EAN: 6867441005292
ASIN: B000F5YYCK
Release Date: August 14, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Who said books, what's more black books, could not be hilarious? June 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The English have a genre no one else has anywhere in the world. They call that comedies on television. Short less than half an hour episodes of situational humor positioned in one particular social niche. In this case it is a marginal book store held by a social drop out who hates all other human beings and yet cannot survive without constant contact with some of these strange animals we call human beings. Unable to love, unable to have any sentimental life with any person that would approach a gender definition. Yet he recuperate in his book store that becomes a haven for stray cats, though he hates cats, a flunked and failed accountant who is fired from his job because he is kind of abnormal for the job, both in looks and behavior. And he has a neighborly relation with the next door shop lady who is soon going to get out of business and remain behind like an errant animal. And the three of them are going to live the daily life of this book store. But it is nothing close to a social drama or anything social. It is nothing like a soap opera or even a sitcom. Those are more American, more normal, banal and less out of the way, funny or strange. The fun in American sitcoms or soap operas comes from the wit of the characters. The fun of English comedies comes from the situation and the slight details in the behavior, appearance, reactions of the characters that make them weird. There is always something unforeseen and unforeseeable because so much out of the way that we could not even think of it as being possible. Each episode has one unifying element that may get some follow up in the next episode, but there is no obligation. So the episode is not supposed to end on any suspense but on a punch line that signs the end as inescapable. And that final touch or detail is so amazing that you can only sit there flabbergasted and laughing like a baboon in the jungle shade. Have you ever heard one? Very weird, the laughter of the baboon. If you haven't I would advise you to go fast to some jungle and hear it, record it and then multiply it one thousand time into a two or three hour long baboon laughter. That should make you both happy and sad for some time and give you some pleasant dreams. Just like Black Books if you can put your hands or your dirty grubby fatty fingers on the series.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines
Bernard Black is God!! June 5, 2008
How did I never watch this when it was on TV? Why did it take one very drunken/hungover weekend with someone who owned the boxset to introduce me to the best comedy show I think I have ever seen? A show that no matter how many times you see it it always makes you laugh! I have to admit that I am ashamed of myself for not realising the sheer brilliance and genius of Dylan Moran and Bill Bailey until now.
From start to finish Black Books does not disappoint. As with anything there are some episodes which are stronger than others but there is always something to laugh at, whether it just be the terms of endearment that Bernard calls poor MannyMoo. The characters are larger than life and their relationship, as with that of next door neighbour Fran, is a complete riot. The way they talk to each other spawning many a new phrase between me and my friends.
There are so many fantastic episodes, Manny's fear of 88 degrees, The children's book, where Bernard gets locked out of the shop for the night all laugh out loud comedy gems. Also the quotes: 'Bernard I ate your bees', 'It's hot inside the worm', 'The wiggle of Judas', 'The Little Book of Calm' and Fran's singing with an Irish accent are worth buying the boxset alone.
I mithered a friend of mine to by this set for weeks, eventually he gave in and bought it. I got an email from him saying he had to space out the episodes as he didn't want it to end! Praise indeed. It's a shame that there were only 3 series but it doesn't make it any less essential for anyone who loves to laugh.
Spend your 'leatherbound pounds' on this and enjoy!
I believe in God again. He's called Dylan Moran. May 28, 2008
As a poor little Frenchman surrounded with poor little French comedies, I've discovered Black Books on Amazon, totally at random. To be honest, I bought it only because it was really cheap and the DVDs were subtitled.
Now it has become one of my favourite series ever. It's short, it's a little bit uneven, but it has so many classic lines and moments I can't count them. The re-reading of a children's book, Fran drawing a sex scene, the prostitute robot from the future, the French putain de kitchen, Bernard selling hamburgers, Simon Pegg's smile, Jason the glamorous adventurer, Frankenstein's wine, Manny's job appointment in the bar, Motorhead, the cat killer... and on and on.
The boxset is not only really cheap, it also has a great bonus : the outtakes. They're not all subtitled (I remember the second series wasn't) but they're sometimes even more funny than the actual show - and THAT means something.
And of course I discovered Dylan Moran. Completely unknown in France, he became one of my favourite actors in just two episodes time. His timing is brilliant, and he's so versatile ! He reminds me of the great Chris Barrie in Red Dwarf - same perfect knowledge of humor and satire.
So if you don't know Black Books, go and buy it. If you don't speak English that well, there are english subtitles. And if you don't understand english language at all, just bloody learn it... Black Books alone is worth it ! ;-)
British Comedy at its very best May 27, 2008
Before I say anything else...what fantastic value this box set is. 9.98 for all 3 series!
I shan't bang on about what the series is about, as the other reviewers have covered this.
I was introduced to Black Books by a friend and I was instantly hooked. The witty, satirical style of the humour never fails to make me laugh, no matter how many times I watch it.
I would absolutely recommend the set to anybody who enjoys shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Black Adder and British comedy in general.
If you're unsure...BUY IT. You won't be disappointed!!!
 Nowhere near as good as it could/should be May 2, 2008
0 out of 21 found this review helpful
This is quite poor tv. The concept is good but the actual delivery is not.
I had never seen the programme before on tv, I live in Spain and depend on recommendations from others who live in the UK to tell me what is good: This time it was a recommendation from Amazon itself - thanks Amazon!! Actually I view this programme as I would the 'embarassing friend' in a pub, ie -'Please stop'!!!! As another reviewer has said there are a few good jokes and sketches, but that is about it!!!!!
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