Les As de l'impériale

This spin-off from the popular ITV sitcom was the most popular British film of 1971, it's takings even outgrossing Diamonds Are Forever, the James Bond film of that year. Take my word for it, the critics tore it to pieces and they still do now when it's shown on television.

I don't think it's overly funny but I still love it. Okay so it's sexist, but like the Carry On films, even though it's not hilarious it still possesses a certain charm that these overblown American comedies cannot hope to achieve.

All the series regulars are here. Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Anna Karen,Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis. While they were all charming, Michael Robbins stands out for me because his comic timing was impeccable. For example, he would sit there reading the paper and suddenly he would look up and utter something amusing.

Watching this for the first time since I saw it and its mother series as a kid, I was struck not by its supposed naffness, nor by its vulgar humour but by its sheer authenticity. Surely the true face of the British Working class has never been so accurately portrayed. Here are people in all their sweaty, ugly, sexed-up un-glory. Everything has to be a vulgar laugh, sensitivity is outlawed, sex is a constant obsession and everyone is potentially the butt of a joke. Authority is mocked but never really challenged and money is continuously short. If, in years to come, people want to understand what it was like to be working class in Britain in the early 1970s, they could do no worse than catch this film!

This is a disgracefully, unfunny and dire film in every respect. To call it backward and sexist is an understatement. It really is quite sad that it was only 34 years ago that tripe like this was considered acceptable let alone amusing. We would never know if the actors and director involved had any talent considering the crassness of the subject matter. All the men are irresistible, womanising cheeky chappies and all the women are either pathetic doormats or big-busted nymphomaniacs who enjoy being groped at every opportunity. This, by the way, sums up the complexity of the plot. For those who say that it is an accurate and genuine representation of working class life in the 70's, WHAT UTTER RUBBISH! And what an insult to working class people. If you enjoy this type of "classic" British sex comedy then good luck to you but its portrayal of both men and women is insulting and its not just "politically incorrect" its bloody wrong! Thank God they "don't make them like this any more".

We seem to live in a world of "watch what you say & do". Today's sitcoms are ruled by very well calculated PC rules. We have all embraced this refreshingly new approach to behavior. Unfortunately we are losing our sitcom heritage. We can now only laugh at a very narrow band of situations e.g "man bashing" seems to be a favourite with modern writers. Can't blame 'em, they've got bills to pay as well as me & thee. On The Buses gives us a window into the past. Prior to the 1980's this is how life was. I know I've lived there. All the characters are charicatures (eh?) of people we have known and either loved or hated. Mum (Doris Hare) is holding on to her long suffering but loyal son Stan (Reg) who never gets his way with the ladies as does Jack (Bob). This is one of the mysteries of the universe!!. Blakey is the boss we've all had & hated. Bring back British Sitcom.

Dated, but wonderful. "On The Buses" was part of my childhood and ab-so-lutely a product of its time, so i understand (and respect) why many non-Brits or young Brits hate it. Filmed between 1969 and 1973 as a 70 episode tv series and three movies it chronicles the lives of bus driver Stan (Reg Varney), his family, his best mate Jack (Bob Grant) and their constant battles with Inspector Blake (Stephen lewis). It doesn't sound much on paper but the reality for millions around my own age (40) and older was hilarious comedy and I wouldn't hesitate to call it a classic. I used to long for Sunday evenings to see the latest episode. Of course it's sexist and vulgar and anti PC. That's the way comedy (and life) was back then, and in my opinion we were better for it! It's also a stunningly accurate portrayal of British working class life in the early 70s. Here's a little 'aside' for those of you who slag off the crudity and sexism of On The Buses. My Granny hated it (for those reasons) and used to watch the sober / religious tv show presented by Jess Yates instead. We later discovered he was "shagging" everything he could get his hands on! At least On The Buses was never hypocritical. It was always well written and the cast were excellent. The talent and depth they brought to the characters puts it right up there with Dads Army and Only Fools & Horses. Michael Robbins had a deadpan style and razor sharp timing that few actors could equal. There's always a hilarious sense of the famous British 'repression' in his character. Some people may remember his guest appearance as a Flea Exterminator in an episode of "The Good Life". He can never bring himself to say the word "flea" and always refers to them as "the little offendors". There's a great chemistry between Stan and Jack and I really felt that Reg Varney and Bob Grant were mates. Of course, the highlight of On The Buses was always the priceless Inspector, "Blakey". Stephen lewis is a genius and the character he created is second to none, anywhere in British tv. With his Hitler moustache, pained expressions and classic catch-phrases he's a comedy icon. Like all fans I was very saddened by the recent death of Bob Grant. If only the poor man could've realised how much laughter he brought to the world. RIP Bob.