Benny Hill was in TV for a long time: The Benny Hill Show ran from 1969 to 1989. He is credited with defining a mode for British TV comedy which continues to radiate there and around the world. It is hard to look back from the second decade of the new millennium without some prejudice or lack thereof.

For example, an enduringly controversial aspect of the show is the outright ‘tits and bums’ sexism of the infamous Hill’s Angels, who were all very physically attractive women on the show. They could sing, dance and sport skimpy clothing while also holding a stage smile. With race relations, Hill was no less tactile. There are many skits and jokes about Chinese, Africans and other groups. These do not translate so well into our sanitised, politically rectified entertainment discourse. But there are always risks—and rewards—with looking at artefacts. Keeping this in mind will not detract from the viewer’s enjoyment unless they are offended before they even press Play, of course.

What I like most about the show is the mix of slapstick, physical and language comedy (the graffiti gags are legend) plus vaudeville and cabaret touches. Hill wrote (or took credit) for all the skits and original songs, though this is disputed, not without justification.

Hill dominates almost every shot, not merely because he’s in virtually every scene. His face, timing and delivery are comically immaculate, with a pervasive sense of irony inescapable. He can do accents and terrible ballet. He can be a schoolboy or a grandmother because it is ridiculous, hilarious caricature and anything goes.

There are a few staple male co-performers and the aforementioned women. Together, they form a band a modern troubadours. The skits are longer than 30 seconds and often intertwine. This creates a ‘textural’ feel for each episode that makes it all hang together. I found myself laughing a lot and recommend it strongly.

There are no special features and the transfer is a bit sloppy. This affects the sound and image: some of the footage reminds on (only slightly) of old VHS tapes. Given the low retail price, the offering can’t be beat, however!

Felix Staica