Private Schulz

From conception to screenplay and the performance of every actor, this is a true gem. The humor is deep and subtle and as such it is not for NASCAR fans nor for anyone who has ever thought Adam Sandler should have been allowed to survive infancy. Richardson is note-perfect, as is the under-the-radar depiction of Hilter as a seemingly-rational nutjob. For those who are pining after a DVD release, I have only one word: Usenet. If that one word has no meaning for you, do a search on 'Newsgroups' and find out how to use programs like Agent, which are as easy to use as any internet browser. You would not believe the power of the dark side, young Skywalker.

A fabulous cast, plot and hilarious script. Richardson is superb as an incompetent placed in a position of power. His acting is just supreme. Elphinck is cast as the intelligent one who is always thwarted by fate or Richardson. Richardson plays a Nazi Major and suggests to Hitler [ from an idea of Elphinck's ] that they flood Britain with forged five pound notes. Elphinck is instructed to produce the forgeries with concentration camp / slave labour. He is parachuted into England but finds that his contact [ Played by Richardson again ] has been turned by British Intelligence. He manages to escape back to France. He is always trying to have romantic encounters in which fate always has the last laugh. His main love is Billie Whitelaw who works in a brothel designed to extract military gossip and traitors by eavesdropping [ Salon Kitty style ].

Elphinck tries on many occasions to get his hand on the money but, finally fails but ends up with Whitelaw [ after the war is over ].

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE ON DVD - are the BBC mad ???

This one is priceless. While it is done definitely tongue-in-cheek, this is based on actual events during the Second World War. The Nazis were successful in creating counterfeit British currency, and with it they intended to destroy the British economic monetary systems. Unfortunately, they counted too heavily on Private Schultz.

Ian Richardson does a wonderfully evil SS officer -- and the rest of the cast isn't bad either. You have to see this one for yourself.

>Yes folks,this is a sitcom about the inmates of a concentration camp.It is possibly the most repulsive show ever made.

What on earth is this man talking about? It's like Escape to Victory for forgers - only it's intentionally funny!

The late Michael Elphick puts in a suitably sheepish role as the luckless Schultz, while Peter Richardson comes out as the real star - most of the time a ruthless, goose-stepping, selfish b*stard! Just when you think everything is going right for Schultz, the Nazis turn up, he gets bonked on the head, nearly drowned in a fjord or blown to smithereens! Classic!

Great watching, and I hope it comes out on DVD! My VHS recording is starting to look a bit tatty!

Based upon reality, this wonderful series took off with the minor character only wanting to get along within an organization that was bound to bring down the British economy through counterfeit money. While it's true that part of the series is set in a DZ, it's part and parcel with the trials of the title character, who tries to avoid active service by any means.

Naturally, his avoidance is foiled at every turn. Through the machinations of his superiors, he is drawn deeper and deeper into the scheme, which is advanced through the "Technical Section of the SS", a mistake proof bureau that manages to fowl things up about once an episode.

Despite the bungling of the "experts" (and the best efforts of the good private) the banknotes finally reach their destination. How they end up is the punch line (as well as an excuse for a final comic turn for the star members of the case.

It's not Blackadder, but it's still a different (and comic) take that's worth watching.