Search - Father Ted: The Definitive Collection on DVD

Samuel K. (Solvanda)
Reviewed on 11/25/2018...

This series is a masterpiece of irreverent British comedy. Induces reflexive belly laughs. May cause spasms of the diaphragm, spontaneous vacating of the colon, bladder, or oral cavity. Has been shown to project root beer via septum and nostrils. Also indicative are conditions characterized by mental status changes, agitation, epileptic fits, loss of breath, and non-responsive unconsciousness. If any of these episodic interactions are noted, revive observer, and proceed to the next viewing segment.

If you already own the first set

Howie | Arkansas | 02/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You may not want or even need this one. As listed, there is only an additional 10 minutes of footage from the first set to this, "The Definitive Collection" of "Father Ted". Here is a list of the bonus material:

* Commentary with Graham Linehan, Arthur Matthews, Ardal O'Hanlon, Tim Shuttlewoode & Chris Claycee
* Interview with Writers
* A Christmassy Ted
* Tedfest 2007 - A Very Ted Weekend
* Tedfest 2007 - Two Tribes Go To War
* Comedy Connections
* Comic Relief with Ted & Dougal
* Craggy Island Memories
* Dougal's Sound Effects Gallery
* Biographies
* Photo Gallery

The additions to the previous "Holy Trilogy" are:
* The 2 "Tedfest" featurettes (from a 2007 Father Ted convention)
* A 30-minute episode of the BBC program "Comedy Connections" from 2004 detailing the former and subsequent careers of the cast and writers
Craggy Island Memories
* Commentary tracks on the series 3 episodes (of which there were none on the original "The Holy Trilogy" - Series 1 and 2 already had commentary tracks by writer Graham Linehan who is joined on the 2nd half of series 2 by actor Ardal O'Hanlon.)
* Dougal's Sound Effects Gallery

While there is nothing left off the original release and the additions add only "10 minutes" to the running time (even though they add up to more), these additional features seem to make a double dip unnecessary unless you are a "Father Ted" completist.

I purchased the first "Holy Trilogy" box set as a blind buy when looking for some new British comedy and was pleasantly suprised. While it took a few episodes to warm up to the characters, the series quickly grew on me. It's irreverent humor and situations were a breath of fresh air over more staid approaches to religion in comedy. At times it has a surreal feel and frequently could easily offend those with little tolerance but I can see Priests in such situations behaving similarly. After all, they are people too and if you are truly honest about religion you must admit that there are people like these characters in them all. If you are easily offended you should probably look elsewhere ("The Vicar of Dibley" is much "safer" while still being funny). If you enjoy irreverent British humor you should give "Father Ted" a go."

Enjoy!

R. Rossier | Minocqua, Wisconsin United States | 01/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an extraordinary show. The only minus is it was only on for three seasons. It is side-splittingly funny. You will be laughing out loud as Father Ted, Father Dougal and Father Jack, along with their housekeeper, Mrs. Doyle, stumble through life, almost demolish Catholicism, reveal the hypocrisy rampant in us all, and make social commentary that is incredibly witty, but is also bitingly accurate! Whether you're just looking for a laugh, or enjoy seeing pompous arse's brought down low, this show is for you. And as an added bonus, the location,the fictional "Craggy Island" is one of the most beautiful locations ever! You need this in your collection! And the Yuletide extra, "A Christmassy Ted" is worth the price all by itself!"

Father Ted

Jonathon Humphrey | 08/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Apparently the definitive Collection is not necessary if you already own The Holy Trilogy. That being said, I did not, and therefore found this to be a necessity to my tv on dvd collection. Although most of the special features aren't vital, it's nice to see Ted & Dougal's TV spots and to here the actor who portrayed Dougal joke about on his commentaries. If you've already seen Father Ted, and enjoy it, this is worth the price, and will provide plenty of laughs for you, and the people you know who weren't fortunate enough to stumble upon this on there own. If you haven't seen this show, well a brief synopsis would be it focuses on three priests (In the looses sense) one a monosyllabic drunkard, another a man child, and the third, the title character, just happens to always be in the wrong place in the wrong time (and is probably an embezzler) and how they really want to just be normal people (which doesn't stop them from using there priest status when it benefits them) on an island of the mainland of Ireland full of people who are the farthest thing from normal. Watch an episode first and if you like 1, you'll like all 25 episodes."