Private Schulz

One of the best comedy series of all time.

Have been awaiting a DVD/video release for years, or a re-showing on TV.

Today is the 60th anniversary of VE day. WWII was one of the most horrible things to ever have happened on our planet; saying that Private Schultz is repulsive is akin to deriding Kelly's Heros, Hogan's Heros or the Germans episode of Fawlty Towers - and misses the point completely.

There's a big difference between making sick, cheap jokes about such events, and ultra-high quality comedy drama like these pieces.

I cannot wait to revel in it's pleasures once more. Surely 2005 will see a DVD release.

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.

I have fond memories of this series and wish it would be released on DVD. It was my first experience of the great Ian Richardson and the amazing Billie Whitelaw. Michael Elphick was perfect as the bungling loser of the title role, but he was effortlessly upstaged by Richardson and Whitelaw (there was a sense of powerful engines idling). And don't forget that the writer Jack Pulman also wrote the 1976 series "I, Claudius". If you liked "don't eat the figs" you'd probably enjoy this show.

Far from considering it repulsive, I would place it on my shelf next to Benigni's "Life Is Beautiful", in the category "endurance of the spirit in a dehumanizing world". Not a work of genius perhaps, but far superior to the silly "Allo! Allo!" (which I also enjoyed).

This terrific comedy showcases the talents of two of Britain's best actors, the late Michael Elphick and Ian Richardson, who are portrayed as Nazi soldiers in the SS assigned to topple the British economy by counterfeiting the currency. (This is a true story that actually happened in WW2).

Michael Elphick is superb as a cowardly conniving small-time crook who will do anything to avoid fighting. Ian Richardson is also in top form as his incompetent commanding officer. Together, they recruit a gang of Jewish criminals from concentration camps and set about their merry work.

This is one of the best comedies ever made with great performances from the entire cast. Regrettably, the DVD (produced by the BBC) is not available in the USA, presumably to appease American Jewish groups who would consider a concentration camp an inappropriate venue for a comedy.

BTW, the story was recently made into a highly recommended dramatic German-language film (The Counterfeiters, 2007).

Main point I want to make is this is now available on DVD. A good transfer, but sadly no extras.

To agree with the other reviewers this is a brilliant black comedy, and the use of archive footage adds to the authenticity.

One thought I had was Ian Richardson's multiple characters reminds me of Peter Sellers in Soft Beds, Hard Battles, and I note Rula Lenska is in both productions.

Of cause it would never be made in these sad PC days.