The Thin Blue Line - The Complete Series 1 And Series 2

The characters are so funny that it is difficult to pick a favourite! Rowan Atkinson is brilliant as the bungling Inspector Fowler who spends more time upsetting his partner and colleague Patricia than catching criminals. Who can forget him sticking his up the lady mayor's skirt and proclaiming "there could be a number of innocent reasons why an Inspector might put his head up the Mayoress's skirt!".

The plain clothes squad (which consists of one other officer!) are led by DI "GO GO GO!!" Grim, an idiot of a man who firmly believes that an "ism" never hurt anybody! He hasn't got time for "namby pamby hoity toity" liberals who treat people with respect. This guy didn't just watch "The Sweeney" he thinks he is in it! Constable Habib once proclaimed that she thinks he has been taken over by "an alien from the Planet Burk", and Inspector Fowler, proper as ever told her to have respect for rank.

The most refreshingly "PC" of all the PC's is Constable Goody, played fantastically by James Dreyfus. There is genius in Ben Elton's writing as Kevin fits every gay stereotype going, and yet we know that Goody is hopelessly in love with Maggie Habib. PC Gladstone, on the other hand, is hopelessly in love with Gloria Hunniford, and he probably has more chance with her than Kevin has with Maggie!

According to Ben Elton, Rowan Atkinson is currently "getting around to thinking about making another series". I wish he would get around to it a bit quicker! The "Thin Blue Line" is easily the best sit-com (and with the best theme tune!) to have emerged in the last five years or so. The issues are just as relevant and funny now.

So I would recommend this video to anyone. If you weren't a fan before you soon will be! But don't forget to "mind your Curly Wurly"!


The ultimate collection of one of the best comedies ever.   January 21, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

One of the most refreshing and funny situation comedies ever. Written by the talented Ben Elton and featuring a superb cast that really bring it to life, the series features some memorable peformances and moments. Although I've watched the series again and again on television, I didn't hestitate in buying this complete collection to keep and to watch it again, as it can still raise many a laugh. If you're a fan, it's probably a must, but if you've never seen it before the chances are you'd find the first episode so good, you'd be pleased that you've got all the others to follow! G Warren, England, UK.


Absolutely Sensational Slice Of Fun   August 6, 2002
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

When you are depressed, stick on 'The Thin Blue Line'. You'll come out of watching with a big cheesy grin on your face and feeling on top of the world. This is far better than any anti-depressent pill, courtesy of Ben Elton, Rowan Atkinson and of each cast member in the show. You won't find another comedy of this calibre anywhere in the world, so get hold of it while you can. Rowan Atkinson will keep you laughing all the way, and you'll be holding your stomach muscles in pain of laughter, truly, with his brand of unique humour as PC Fowler, who can use the scripted words to marvellous effect. PC Goody, Habib and Dawkins all help with the outpour of brilliance these programmes have to offer. You won't leave the screen feeling short- supplied. You'll actually be gagging for the next series Rowan Atkinson is planning.


Thin Blue Line   August 15, 2002
1 out of 4 found this review helpful

Well, what can you say about this comedy?
It is simply excellent. Ben Elton writes yet another witty, timeless comedy that can be watched over and over again. Rowan Atkinson is as fabulous as ever also. Although he can easily be critised for playing 'Bean', I would say that he more than compensates in this satiric comedy. The charactes, Goody, Habibe and especially Insp. Grimm (!!) are just as hilarious aswell. I would strongly recommend this to anyone with a vague sense of humour!


"Your Part of The Thin Blue Line is Slightly Thicker."   September 3, 2007
manfraumanfrau
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling very low. When my mother put this DVD on "to cheer me up", I was at first very dubious. After the first 5 minutes of the first episode, however, I was competely hooked. I spent the next week or so getting out of bed in the morning solely to watch the next episode. I watched both series within two days, but that didn't stop me playing them over and over again for many days. "The Thin Blue Line" is by far my favourite sitcom at the moment, and I can be very picky in what I think is funny. This is funny. Trust me. Rowan Atkinson is brilliant as Inspector Fowler - much better than he is at Mr Bean, anyway. His constant witty remarks never fail to amuse me, and he is brilliant being a pompous, stuck-up know-it-all who constantly offends his partner, Sgt Dawkins, with insensative remarks. ("I shall be gald when we're tucked up in bed tonight, Patricia." "Really, Raymond?" "Oh yes, I shall be out like a light!") By far my favourite charactor, however, is rubber-faced Constable Goody, played my James Dreyfus. He really lights up every scene he is in. Goody is perhaps the stupidest PC on the force. He acts like a child most of the time, making pointless comments and sniggering at things that "sound rude". Though his heart is in the right place, he constantly aggrivates Fowler, who calls him a "foul boy" or a "disgusting boy", that sort of thing. Goody's frequent attempts to win the heart of PC Habib are also hilarious. This quote from the series pretty much sums Goody up: GOODY: "We're all part of the Thin Blue Line, aren't we, Sir?" FOWLER: "Yes, Goody. The only difference is that your part of the Thin Blue Line is slightly thicker." I was bitterly disappointed when I found out there wasn't a third series. I nearly cried. Is there any chance of the actors all coming together 12 years later to make a few more episodes?