Cheap Ripping Yarns: Even More Ripping Yarns (Video) (Terry Hughes, Jim Franklin (III), Alan J.W. Bell) Price

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Customer Reviews of Ripping Yarns: Even More Ripping Yarns

In this, the third and final season of the show, the stories are all based around British upper class characters. Unfortunately the writing isn't quite as good in the first two episodes: It lapses into caricature a little bit too much for my taste. I prefer the stories that show Palin in and around his native Sheffield - Eric Olthwaite and Golden Gordon (from season 1 and 2 of the show - not on this tape) are my favourites, but I'm biased - I'm from Sheffield myself, and these two episodes bring back memories of my childhood.

Anyway, unlike the other reviewers, my favourite out of these three episodes has to be 'Across the Andes by Frog'. The episode has the best writing, and the characters work brilliantly, illustrating the complete inability of any of the British characters (all from different classes) to communicate with each other, or with anyone else. It's classic, and it points out very clearly but subtly the flaws in a class-ridden society and in the ideals of early 20th century imperialism.

The role of the Sergeant Major is brilliantly played, and his every word and expression is timed flawlessly. In the end, the working class British soldiers are the only ones to successfully communicate with the natives. Unfortunately, they communicate rather too well, leading to a growing anarchy, and finally to a tragedy that seems to mirror true life tragedies of exploration.

This episode showcases the genius of Palin and Jones, in that they're able to successfully balance pathos and humour, giving the viewer a subtlety, richness, and depth that sadly cannot be matched by later competent British comedies like Black Adder or The Young Ones.

One big problem I have with Ripping Yarns - it should be on DVD. It's criminal that neither this show nor John Cleese's Fawlty Towers are available on DVD. Hopefully someone will put that right soon!

Pass the port please.
May not be as classic a colection as Tape 1 but contains a wonderful episode in "Roger of the Raj" in which a young aristo finds true love after being led astray by his anarchist tutor, discovers the consequences of passing the port the wrong way and refuses to join a mutiny against his parents only to mutiny against his parents. Wonderful stuff. Neither "Murder at..." nor "Across the Andes by frog" are personal favourites but "Murder" is a loving spoof and "Andes" one of the most whimsically absurd stories of the whole series. A "best of" tape would put Roger, Eric, Gordon and Tomkinson together to make one of the funniest 2 hours ever committed to film.

MICHAEL PALIN AND TERRY JONES SCORE A HAT TRICK!
This is the final Ripping Yarn series. This is a great series to own because the videos show a different side of Michael Palin. I hope my reviews will convince you to own this series.

Episode 1 - Roger of the Raj (1914): Michael Palin narrates this story and tells about his family. Michael plays Roger Bartlesham a very wealthy young man. The beginning starts out by having breakfast with his parents. It's quite a breakfast. The mother is a strong authoritian figure and the father has a soft side to him but can't show it. The family is sent to India during the war. Roger falls for Miranda, and he convinces her to run away and go into trade. She refuses at first, but later changes her mind. Mr Hopper is Roger's tuitor, and he tells Roger he want him to lead a mutiny. What is Roger to do? I like this episode because of the way you should see Roger's mom with a machine gun. Miranda doesn't have a bad shot either. I like the scene where the men are at the table and one by one they shoot themselves.

Episode 2 - Murder at Moorstones Manor: Michael Palin has two roles in this mystery outtake. He plays Hugo a blond hair gentleman who is obsessed with cars and Charles the other son who wants the money. I like these characters and it's when they are at dinner that the real mystery begins. Ruth who is Charles lady is grossed out by the father and falls flat in a plate of food. Then father is shot in the back. Hugo is later killed. Who did it? The answers may surprise you. The dad is funny because he the grumpy old man who thinks everyone needs to be punished. I like Charles because he is the distingushed gentleman but has the patience of a child. This is a fun episode. It doesn't show the year but I would guess in the 1920's

Episode 3 - Across the Andes by Frog (1927): The final episode isn't as funny as the other two but has a few good moments. Michael plays Walter Snerrington a solider and scientist. He is training frogs to cross the Andes Mountains. The uniform he is wearing is the same as in the Fish Slapping Dance. He asks for a guide and is introduce to an old lady. She doesn't speak any English but she is funny character. She does send the troops some schoolgirls by mistake. The townspeople don't like the idea of the frogs because they are afraid they bring bad luck. The guards fail to watch over and the frogs are set free. In the end only one frog is found, and so what will Snerrington do? Well I can't tell you so will have to get this video to find out.