Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5787 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-09-30
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: PAL, Closed-captioned
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 175 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
First broadcast in the autumn of 1986, the fifth series of Only Fools and Horses consists of half-a-dozen half-hour episodes that are absolutely vintage fare. Indeed, after this series, the BBC gave writer John Sullivan freedom to extend his writing to full feature-length episodes. This series, meanwhile, is a masterclass in characterisation, interplay and in delivering the comedic sucker punch that raises the belly laugh when you least expect it.

Included here are "From Prussia With Love", in which Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Del (David Jason) take in a heavily pregnant German au pair in distress for the night. Uncle Albert assures them he can talk German and addresses her thus: "Vot izz your name?". "The Miracle of Peckham" is especially well-worked, with a plotline involving missing lead from the church roof and a "weeping statue" which attracts the world’s media. "The Longest Night" sees Del and Rodney held hostage in a supermarket by a gun-toting robber. Never has Del delivered the words "You plonker!" with such feeling as when Rodney makes a grab for the sleeping robber’s cigarettes rather than his gun. "Tea for Three" sees Del sabotage Rodney’s chances with Trigger’s niece, Lisa; though it makes no sense here, prepare to guffaw when Trigger says, "My Gran had one with a squeaky wheel". "Video Nasty" sees Mickey Pierce use Rodney’s local council community film project as a means of making a cheap soft porn movie, while the concluding, characteristically poignant episode sees Del given the chance of a new life in Australia. With this series, a sitcom that once seemed like a poor Minder imitation came of age.

On the DVD: Only Fools and Horses, Series 5 is presented in 4:3 picture ratio and Dolby Digital stereo. There are no extra features.--David Stubbs

Special Features
4:3
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Mono
Scene Selection

Synopsis
Del Trotter (David Jason) and his brother, Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), are back for more scams in this fifth season of silliness.

Customer Reviews

chateu neuf de papa
FROM PRUSSIA WITH LOVE (31st August 1986)

When a German damsel turns up in the Nag's Head she's definitely in distress - and nine months pregnant at that. Rodney's all beer and sympathy but Del's got an idea - could this be the answer to Boycie and Marlene's dreams of a child and a golden opportunity to make a few bob along the way?

THE MIRACLE OF PECKHAM (7th September 1986)

Del Boy gets religion (or is he just on the make ?). The Madonna at the local church is seen to shed tears, but why does she only cry when it's raining and where did all that lead come from that's in Del's garage ?

THE LONGEST NIGHT (14th September 1986)

A burglar makes a daring raid on the local supermarket just a Del and family are out buying their weekly French stick. What's worse - Del sold him a duff watch down the local market...

TEA FOR THREE (21st September 1986)

Look out ! Del's tampered with the sunbed controls and Rodney's seeing red - literally ! His face is done to a turn. He'll hardly wow Trigger's lovely niece, Lisa, with his handsome good looks now which leaves the way pretty clear for Del himself. But revenge should certainly be sweet when he volunteers Del for a spot of hang gliding....

VIDEO NASTY (28th September 1986)

Rodney's been commissioned to make a film, with Mickey Pearce in the casting couch and practising with the camera filming just a few weddings, thanks to Del, 'earn while you learn'. More extra's than Ben Hur, what could go wrong ?

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE ? (5th October 1986)

Del Boy gets the chance to become a millionaire and make a fresh start with his old partner Jumbo Mills, down under in Australia, running his used car business. Both having equal shares in the company with 51% each !

Only Fools And Horses - The Complete Series 5 (1986)
The Not-So-Complete Series 5.
This is the first time I have been disappointed with the BBC's DVD release of this fantastic comedy series. This is aimed specifically at the episode "Tea for Three" arguably one of the best in the series. On this DVD, there are segments deleted out of this episode, such as: Albert singing his song about his wife Ada, in the pub; bits of the conversation with Del, Rodney and Lisa in the Pub; bits of the dinner conversation at Del's flat .
Come on BBC, go back to the original source when mastering these DVD's. Makes me feel that this DVD is dodgey, and something Del Boy himself would sell to the Punters.

A major improvement over Four.
The fifth series contains six episodes which are all classics. What's more Buster Merryfield seems to have mastered Albert as early as his second series as I was a bit hippocritical not to accept him after Grandad; but I take it all back. Worthwhile episodes include 'The Miracle of Peckham' and 'The Longest Night.'

Classic moments on this series include: Boycie wanting to buy a baby from a German au pair (From Prussia With Love); a 'crying' statuette of the Virgin Mary (The Miracle of Peckham); the Trotters held hostage in a supermarket (The Longest Night); Del goes hand gliding (Tea for Three); Rodney gets involved in a blue movie (Video Nasty) and Del is offered a multi million pound partnership (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?).

Overall the shortest but one of the most sweetest series of 'Fools.'