Rising Damp – Series Four
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C+
We have now looked at three seasons of Rising Damp and the questions, is
it still funny going into Series Four? Somewhat, but the show started to become
formulaic at this point and the characters all too familiar. Leonard Rossiter has not lost his edge as the
bigoted Rigsby, but it seems the lack of a relationship with Miss Jones
(Frances de la Tour) and continued battles with Philip (Don Warrington) in what
turned out to be the last season of the show.
Richard Beckinsale had left and shockingly, would soon
pass away from a reported heart attack.
The show picked the right time to wrap things up. We recommend you start form the first DVD and
work your way through.
Technical playback is similar to the earlier DVDs. The 1.33 X 1 image originated on analog PAL
videotape and has not aged as well as expected, likely more a source issue than
transfer issue. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is
a little bit better, with good monophonic sound for its age. The only extras again are text production
notes and cast filmographies, but nothing from any archive has been unearthed
yet. Fortunately, the show has and everyone
who likes TV situation comedies that are actually funny will want to catch both
volumes and the next editions.
- Nicholas Sheffo
