Review of Green Wing: Series 1

Introduction

If you have read any of my recent reviews, they have largely been negative. It seems that there has been a lot of dross coming out on DVD, and most of it has been passed out to reviewers.

Here then is a chance for a positive review. Having watched this series avidly when first broadcast, I like many others have been waiting for its release, and it`s been pushed back and pushed back. But now it`s finally here, just in time for the second series on TV. That started out weakly with the first episode, but is back on form after episode 2.

It`s basically an extended hospital based sketch show with elements of sit com, a loose plotline, and bags of craziness and surrealism. You either love it or hate it.

I love it.

Video

An exemplary 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, as first broadcast. Nothing wrong from a technical point of view.

The visual techniques of the show have already been commented upon, and many of them are the product of hours in the editing room, speeding up and slowing down shots, to cover gaps between takes, and gloss over any out-takes (the actors even parody the style in real time themselves in one scene - brilliant). Some of the other bits, such as swinging the camera away at the end of a scene are products from Victoria Pile`s previous series Smack the Pony.

There are also many brilliant visual gags, including Jesus` head on a stick and the remote control balloon with a special message on it.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, again as first broadcast, and again perfectly fine technically.

The most striking thing is the absolutely excellent music, composed by Jonathan Whitehead. There are various riffs that repeat throughout scenes and you`ll find yourself humming bits of it afterwards, it`s that good.

A minor niggle would be that they have had 18 months to remix it in DD5.1, so it`s a shame that they didn`t. However it is still great to listen to.

Features

The series is spread across three discs, and they`ve packed extras on each one.

We have commentaries on four of the episodes, with a variety of cast and crew popping in and out on each episode. We get to hear from creator Victoria Pile, writers, directors and designers. There are also various cast members who have plenty to say. Great tracks all of them, and again if I`m being niggly, I would have wanted more. There`s a decent amount to leave you satisfied though.

There`s a brief behind the scenes featurette, which is ok but not great.

Each DVD also has some deleted scenes, which are fully produced with sound, video and everything all up to broadcast standards.

There are also cast and crew biography pages, and these are a bit of a tease as they give you teeny little bits of out-takes featuring the person in question - this makes them actually worth bothering with for once.

Conclusion

Genius.

Pure unadulterated genius.

Laugh out loud funny, surreal, bizarre, wacky and inspired.

Quite simply one of the funniest things ever made and a superb DVD. And it`s a pleasure to be writing something nice about a DVD once again. All of the comedic parts add up to an amazing whole. Michelle Gomez has to be the overall star of the show, her character Sue White is one of the greatest creations in the entire history of comedy. All of the other characters are great too, but Sue White just stands out above them all.

If you`re ever feeling down or depressed, sad or blue, buy this DVD and watch it. It should come with a cast iron 100% guarantee to leave you feeling happy after watching it. Sit back and marvel at nine episodes of 50 minute comedy perfection. It`s too good to analyse, so that`s your lot.

It`s great.

Buy it.