Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14344 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-10-29
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1

DVD Description
The two Christmas specials - originally broadcast in 1973 and 1974 - of the perennially popular BBC sitcom starring Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett, set in a rag and bone yard.

In the 1973 special, Harold (Corbett) books a Christmas holiday in Majorca.

Followed by the 1974 edition, which was the last episode ever made of the series, Harold eventually gets away from his father Albert (Brambell) after years of trying.

Synopsis
This collection features both Christmas specials from the hilarious, yet timeless sitcom, .

Customer Reviews

Don't Throw Away Your Old VHS Version!
One of the reasons I never review a DVD before it's release is because you never know what you are going to get. This is certainly true to the final installment in the Steptoe series. In their infinite wisdom, the BBC have decided to edit the shows. The really frustrating part is that they haven't even done a good job of it. I am baffled as to why they have done this, it just doesn't make any sense except to just to annoy the loyal fans and to save some money by producing a single-layer disc instead of a dual-layer. Shame on the BBC for treating classic comedy this way. I only hope the upcoming Dad's Army Christmas specials have not been treated so poorly. The 3 stars awarded is purely for the great shows.

At Last! The Entire Series Of Steptoe And Son Now Available With The Release Of These Two Festive Gems.
How nice that the BBC has seen reason and decided to release these two episodes as a standalone rather than just a huge boxset as was originally intended, the above situation caused a lot of anger amongst Steptoe fans as they were furious at having to buy the entire series for a second time just for two episodes, it mirrors the situation of The Likely Lads boxset where one episode was 'accidently' left out in order to justify a re-release and we must be grateful that the BBC has, on this occasion, listened.

The episodes themselves are brilliant of course but they do follow an often repeated theme in the series, namely Harold deciding that he wants to go on holiday abroad and the old man doing everything that he can to stop him.
The Christmas episode 1972 follows series 7 of the show and the following year's festive outing has the distinction of being the final ever episode of Steptoe and Son and it is probably with this in mind that the writers allowed Harold to achieve a major victory over the old man, something that had never happened before.

The relationship between the two actors was at rock bottom by the time the last episode was filmed and in some ways it shows on screen but the two used this in their performances to perfection, if they didn't like each other in real life then it must have been very easy to despise each other on screen and the feelings and emotions come over as completely real and believable.

Steptoe and Son came to an end at just about the right time as it was obvious that it was perhaps running out of steam but these two little gems are a welcome addition to the now complete set of Steptoe and Son episodes on DVD, this is something that I have waited years for. An essential purchase.

Do not buy! It has been butchered by the BBC!
A wonderful comedy which has been cruelly edited by the BBC. Please release the uncut versions of the Christmas specials as seen on the VHS releases.