It's hard to find words to describe the brilliance of this series. And probably I'm even missing out on at least 20% of the fun as I might not recognise some references to current affairs of those times. Amazing writing, brilliant delivery, the perfect weight of silliness vs stature. For me this is the pinnacle of British comedy.
@laxeystu8096 I certainly agree. In today's world, it is not only high-ranking civil servants, but the NGO's funded by investment firms, the Intelligence Agencies, and major arms manufacturers
Used to watch this back in the day - despite changing times, it's amazing how relevant it remains today. Some comedies from back then were very of the day where you had to know the news/politics of the day (Young Ones/Spitting Image). This, well, I bet little has changed in the civil service :)
A credit to Antony Jay & Johnathan Lynn, two of the best scriptwriters ever to work at BBC. Sharp, satirical and perfectly capturing the absurdity and gamesmanship of politics. It could apply to any Civil Service in any country at any time, even to this day. Perfectly delivered by Nigel Hawthorne, Paul Eddington and Derek Fowlds. The explanation of how to write “Minutes” of a meeting is not only brilliant, but from my own personal experience, frighteningly true. You can watch this again and again, it’s an instructional textbook.
Something I've noticed about the first clip is that cinematographically, PM Hacker is rather being done up by the BBC. The camera is sitting lower than eye level, forcing him into a "insurance salesman" stance, almost leering over the camera. The lighting also seems to be placed very high and angled very sharply downwards, lighting only the very bottom of his face if he leans only slightly forwards. And the lens is far too wide to be appropriate for a Prime Minister's address. The news, even at this time, would use longer lenses to give the impression that there's a bit of distance between them and the viewer. Such a wide angle just serves to make it look like Hacker's been shoved into your TV and is trapped in there. Or a TLDR if you prefer a shorter explanation, it looks like Hacker's been taken hostage and is recording a ransom message in the less than ideal lighting of a basement.
@@playfordtreeI learned all this through a hobby, photography. If you don't like pointlessly informative walls of text on TH-cam, fair enough. But instead of leaving an equally pointless comment, how about finding a hobby? Other than leaving such comments of course?
The most intelligent biting comedy ever written. Thatcher claimed to be a fan. But then she maybe felt she had to? Whatever Bernard Ingham advised, she'd have done it.
This actually prophecy whoever is writing this it was not from human being. This is what happen in this country right now parent cannot make decision for they own children. Absolutely horrible time and scary the same time. Jesus is Lord the only way to life the truth seek the Lord while you can.
One of the best programmes ever. Brilliantly written and acted.
How would it look if it were about today ? (if not censored)
It's hard to find words to describe the brilliance of this series.
And probably I'm even missing out on at least 20% of the fun as I might not recognise some references to current affairs of those times.
Amazing writing, brilliant delivery, the perfect weight of silliness vs stature. For me this is the pinnacle of British comedy.
And another 35% without the pre-programmed laughs.
Still funny after all these years and many viewings.
Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister is as relevant today as it was when it was first broadcast in the 1980s.
I agree that it's funny, but who thinks that the main problem with British politics is the civil servants manipulating ministers?
@laxeystu8096 I certainly agree. In today's world, it is not only high-ranking civil servants, but the NGO's funded by investment firms, the Intelligence Agencies, and major arms manufacturers
@l.w.8470 In The Thick of It they think it is the ministerial spin doctors and the PMs enforcer
Not really, how could you apply any of this to people like Johnson or truss
@jsanders100 Liz Truss was brought down by the leading figures of the Bank of England and the Treasury
RIP. Thank yoiu for these gems. You will be missed
Used to watch this back in the day - despite changing times, it's amazing how relevant it remains today. Some comedies from back then were very of the day where you had to know the news/politics of the day (Young Ones/Spitting Image). This, well, I bet little has changed in the civil service :)
Combine politic and comedy, purely genius.
A credit to Antony Jay & Johnathan Lynn, two of the best scriptwriters ever to work at BBC. Sharp, satirical and perfectly capturing the absurdity and gamesmanship of politics. It could apply to any Civil Service in any country at any time, even to this day. Perfectly delivered by Nigel Hawthorne, Paul Eddington and Derek Fowlds. The explanation of how to write “Minutes” of a meeting is not only brilliant, but from my own personal experience, frighteningly true. You can watch this again and again, it’s an instructional textbook.
Sir Humphrey one of the greatest comedy characters.
He was just so perfect as Hacker!
The Smoke Screen was twenty years ahead of its time as that’s almost exactly what happened with tax and advertising
I come from a small farm background. I couldn't take a holiday because my dad only had one arm and he couldn't afford to get anyone to cover me.
Ahhhh a fake account making a history.
-Brilliant stuff
Something I've noticed about the first clip is that cinematographically, PM Hacker is rather being done up by the BBC. The camera is sitting lower than eye level, forcing him into a "insurance salesman" stance, almost leering over the camera. The lighting also seems to be placed very high and angled very sharply downwards, lighting only the very bottom of his face if he leans only slightly forwards. And the lens is far too wide to be appropriate for a Prime Minister's address. The news, even at this time, would use longer lenses to give the impression that there's a bit of distance between them and the viewer. Such a wide angle just serves to make it look like Hacker's been shoved into your TV and is trapped in there.
Or a TLDR if you prefer a shorter explanation, it looks like Hacker's been taken hostage and is recording a ransom message in the less than ideal lighting of a basement.
Get a hobby
@@playfordtreeI learned all this through a hobby, photography.
If you don't like pointlessly informative walls of text on TH-cam, fair enough. But instead of leaving an equally pointless comment, how about finding a hobby? Other than leaving such comments of course?
It's a fucking comedy.
One of the best ever.
@@I_Stole_A_BTR-80 That's the point you blert.
@@I_Stole_A_BTR-80m
Sir Humphrey is a better politician than the politician himself.
The Civil Service must at times look at Politicians as egotistical primadonas.
watching this now, the current government looks like a re run of this but with zero talent of any kind.
Timeless
Brilliant political show!!! 😂😁😂
Sir Humphrey is my spirit animal
*This is Actually REAL politicans BEING FILMED LIVE!!... :)
No its actors performing a sketch show build on the political system in the uk in the 80s.
*when bots argue amongst themselves
The most intelligent biting comedy ever written. Thatcher claimed to be a fan. But then she maybe felt she had to? Whatever Bernard Ingham advised, she'd have done it.
Kamala Harris has been watching this video. 😂
😂
Top draw satire 😂
Im here to learn english!
Good Luck.
Well this lot won't help you...I have no idea what language Sir Humphrey is speaking.
This is merely a democracy lesson.
Satire has it's best . The goverment is a sucker for reality, when it's not LoL!!!!
"burnard"
By auto-degenerated text.
This actually prophecy whoever is writing this it was not from human being. This is what happen in this country right now parent cannot make decision for they own children. Absolutely horrible time and scary the same time. Jesus is Lord the only way to life the truth seek the Lord while you can.