Only Fools And Horses - The Complete Series 1 (DVD 2000)

Only Fools and Horses is the much loved British Sitcom about the two Trotter brothers and their wheeling and dealing antics. Derrick 'Del Boy' Trotter dreams of being a millionaire and embarks on endless money making schemes which inevitably backfirst, whilst dragging his dopey brother Rodney 'Rodders' Trotter along with him. Along the way the audience is introduced to a variety of characters including their miserable Grandad, car dealer Aubrie 'Boycie' Boyce, and Trigger the street sweeper.

Only Fools and Horses is one of my favourite sitcoms and whilst this first series is by no means my favourite it is still very entertaining and well worth a buy. Below I will do a mini-review (with the ratings out of 5*s) of each episode and then give the DVD an over all rating.

BIG BROTHER - Rating ****
Good start to the series. We're introduced to Del, Rodney, Trigger, and Grandad. This epdsode sees Del trying to flog suitcases with the code locked inside the case whilst Rodney contemplates leaving Troters Independent Traders and getting a 'real job.' Best moment has to be the introduction to Trigger. Hilarious.

GO WEST YOUNG MAN - Rating *****
This episode sees Del Boy selling one of Boycie's "death trap" cars to an unsuspecting customer, and Del and Rodney embarking on a night around town. Best moment has to be the hilarious ending.

CASH AND CURRY - Rating *****
In this episode Del gets a new contact in Malik. Del also encounters Malik's rival, Mr Rahm. Del learns that Malik has a porcelain statue which bears huge symbolic value to Rahm. Rahm is prepared to pay ₤4000 for the statue but cannot communicate with Malik. Step in Del Boy, who offers to act as a middle man, telling Malik that Rahm will offer him ₤2000 for the statue. Best moment has to be the twist at the end.

THE SECOND TIME AROUND - Rating ****
Del meets up with an old flame Pauline and rekindles the passion. However, Grandad, Rodney, and others aren't too pleased about Del's new romance, especially when they find out she has been widowed TWICE. Best moment has to be Del's "I'm coming with ya" quote.

A SLOW BUS TO CHINGFORD - Rating *****
Del's latest money making scam is Trotter's Ethnic Tours. He's got the tour bus, printed the fliers, and got Grandad to distribute them. Rodney's the driver and also the "Trotter Watch" night watchman for the local bus yard (so that Del can get the bus for his Ethnic Tours). Best moment has to be the Trotters Independent Traders "TIT" quote by Rodney.

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING - Rating ****
Del's got some lead on the cheap but Rodney discovers that it's part of a DIY bomb shelter. With the threat of the Cold War at its full extent Rodney convinces Del to build the bomb shelter. The best moment has to be Del, Rodney, and Grandad getting stopped for speeding when trying to get to the bomb sheleter in under four minutes.

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS - Rating ****
It's Christmas and Grandad's cooking dinner which means anthracite potatoes and a turkey complete with a melted plastic bag of giblets inside. After dinner Rodney's bored and convinces Del to come with him to the Monte Carlo club. Best moment has to be Del Boy seats at the end.

Overall, the episodes are hilarious (and it gets even better in the later series'). The only reason I have not rated this DVD five stars is that the transfer could have been better (the episodes look like they do on TV) and the DVD contains no Extra Features.