Three Men in a Boat

Yet another classic piece of TV drama that isn't available anywhere in any format - no VHS, no DVD. Shame!

The casting, the costumes, the writing, the direction - all perfect. Features all the most memorable bits of the book, all perfectly adapted to the screen. I only wish it had been longer.

Please, someone release this on DVD.

This is a likable piece of fluff where the title really does say it all. In general, it was simply a pleasant film to watch, with few (if any) slow spots, and the occasional scene that was hilarious. It features some good talent, and at barely an hour, it is most certainly worth your time.

I don't think it is quite as good as the 1956 David Tomblinson film, but what we have here is a charming adaptation of a classic book, that is worthy of a little more praise. True, some(emphasis on the some)of the camera-work is a little flat, but considering that it was made in the 70s, and made for TV, it can be forgiven, and it is rather short. The adaptation does look beautiful, with lovely English scenery and sumptuous costumes. The script is lovely, very lyrical and poetic with phrases such as "Dainty dress of spring", and is very true to the book, which is better admittedly. There is also some humour, especially with the chemistry between the two men and the scene in the Hampton Court Maze. Another mention is when Jerome is reading a book on diseases and convinces himself he has them all. I particularly liked Jerome's exclamation "Why does Harris look like a martyr goose?" It was really nice to see the wonderful Tim Curry in an early role, and I thought he was great as Jerome, and this is an example of a film where Curry shouldn't be dismissed as over the top person as he is made out to be. He is given top notch support by Michael Palin as Harris and Stephen Moore as George. All in all, a relaxing and perfectly watchable adaptation, with a 9/10 from me. Bethany Cox.

Tim Curry was the reason I wanted to see this, and he's hilarious in it, particularly in one scene where he reads a book about diseases and is convinced he has them all. The piece has a very droll quality and a light touch (courtesy of Frears' excellent direction). Well worth seeking out.

For a short TV movie, this has some impressive talent, with direction and writing from, respectively, Stephen Frears and Tom Stoppard, and a surprisingly low key performance from Tim Curry and good ones from Michael Palin and someone I've never heard of.

The book is apparently very popular in England, with a mix of humor, sentimentality and self mocking the English seem particular fond of, and the movie is clearly done by people who feel that fondness towards the source.

Like the book, there are parts that are quite amusing, and like the books, there are parts that are more travelogue. The balance is a little more toward the travelogue here, surprisingly, although these parts drag less in the movie than in the book.

It's a quiet, sly sort of humor and a charming, small, elegantly done movie. It's not as good as the book, but it's very enjoyable.