Eric & Ernie

A perfectly cast and brilliantly acted TV movie.

A funny and moving portrayal of Eric and Ernie's early days together. Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves were excellent as Eric's parents. Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick were spot on as Eric and Ernie, their facial expressions and mannerisms were excellent, almost to the point that you believed they were them!

If it had been slightly longer it would have been interesting to see the relationships with their future wives expanded on a little more.

A must see programme for any Morecambe and Wise fan!

So why only 9 out of 10? - Because it finished too soon! I would have loved it to have gone on and told the rest of their story.

Simply the best programme on British TV over the festive period. Unlike previous biopics of comedians which tend to be dark and depressing, Eric and Ernie was a warm, moving and funny story of the early days of Britain's best loved double act.

The cast was marvellous, it was really like watching the real Eric and Ernie perform. Victoria Wood and Jim Moir (Vic Reeves)were outstanding as Eric's parents.

The film was clearly a labour of love and it shows in every detail.

So why did I give it 9 instead of 10? Well, I would have preferred it to end with their song "Bring Me Sunshine".

I'm of that generation that religiously waited for and watched Morecambe and Wise's usually superb BBC TV specials in the mid 70's when they were at their peak (although nowhere near enough credit is given to their writer Eddie Braben) and so was very interested to watch this dramatisation of their formative years.

It has to be said that their old employer does them proud with a well written, produced and acted TV movie. In truth I could find little to fault in it, my only complaints being perhaps the limited dynamic arc in the story itself and a little too much screen-time for the inspiration behind the project, Victoria Walters. That's not to say she's not good in the part of Eric's pushy, typical show-biz mother, but she takes too much focus away from our heroes, to the, as I say, slight detriment of the piece.

The other main casting credits work very well, with Jim (Vic Reeves) Moir a revelation as Eric's docile dad and the young actors playing Eric and Ern as spot on as they could be with look, voice and mannerisms. They have that essential ingredient for any double-act, chemistry. The script includes some decent gags, but enough of what really matters here, drama, to make it entertaining.

The duo's well-known personae are developed naturally and enough signposts are inserted to their future routines and catch-phrases to please admirers of their later work. As I indicated, this wasn't the most essential show-biz bio-pic I've ever watched but it was amongst the more entertaining of them.

What did I think of it (so far)? Definitely not "Rubbish!"

Morecambe and Wise remain to this day one of the best double acts of all time and this great drama from the BBC shows us their early years. We all know what happened when they achieved fame so it is nice that this drama focuses on the other side of the coin.

The casting in this is great. All the actors playing Morecambe and Wise not only look the part but capture the voice and characteristics of the two men and in some places you start to think you're watching the real men.

Victoria Wood is also great as Sadie, Eric's mother and her story arc is at the centre of this piece that is beautifully captured by director Johnny Campbell.

My only grumble is that much like every other media piece surrounding the comedians this drama is centred more on Eric than Ernie but otherwise this is a great drama.

Seldom has a comedy act been so revered, fondly remembered, or generated so much warmth and affection as Morecambe and Wise. The cherished memories kept alive by repeats, documentaries and tributes, which have served only to enhance their reputation. By the early '70's celebrities were queuing to be on their show, aspiring to star in one of the plays what Ernie wrote, or in the case of Andre Previn, reveal a previously unseen comedic talent in one of their many memorable sketches. Furthermore, The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show became an integral part of the festive season.

It's a daunting challenge, capturing the essence and flavour of such iconic artists, especially when shedding light on a period prior to their peak. In this delightful, heartwarming production, the transition from childhood to young adult is seamless, rather than episodic.

Little Ern appears to have been born on a stage, while the more reticent Eric was more preoccupied with his airgun and being the class clown, as Mother, Sadie drove him relentlessly towards a life in entertainment. The key moments in their journey are all portrayed superbly, but Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick are across the board magnificent, in voice, appearance and mannerism, as the duo in young adulthood.

Victoria Wood and Jim Moir impress as Eric's unflagging Mother and his equally easy going father, plus, there are some wonderful vignettes of immediate post war life; faltering Christmas tree lights, Sadie, opening the doors of a large, imposing cabinet to reveal.....a tiny television screen (shortly before the BBC start showing an interest in the pair). Oh, the picture wouldn't be complete without the sight of a Stanier Black 5 arriving at the platform!

Billed as a drama, there are a number of touching moments, but as one can imagine from the very nature of the subject matter, outbursts of laughter are never far away.