Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection

Manic, arrogant, sycophantic and sadistic, Basil Fawlty is a much put-upon, hard-working hotel manager whose life is plagued by dead guests, hotel inspectors and riff-raff. Of course his biggest headache is his 'little nest of vipers' - his nagging wife Sibyl. Together they run their hotel, Fawlty Towers, with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona with marginally more intelligence than a monkey.

Series 1
A Touch of Class - Basil Fawlty is in a campaign to improve the class of his clientele at Fawlty Towers. His efforts have spectacular results - in the short term.

The Builders - Sybil has picked a professional firm for the alterations to the hotel. But Basil makes an executive decision that his friend can do a better job.

The Wedding - Basil occupies himself in a losing battle against moral turpitude. His predicament is exacerbated by Manuel’s birthday celebrations.

Hotel Inspectors - One of the dreaded events in a hotel manager’s life is the inspector’s visit. One calls, and Basil has to decide which of the guests he is.

Gourmet Night - It is Gourmet Night at Fawlty Towers, and it seems that Basil’s long cherished dream will be realized. But the chef lies drunk on the floor.

The Germans - A moose head falls on Basil during a fire drill, giving him a concussion. But he must leave hospital to deal tactfully with a group of German tourists.

Series 2
Communications Problems - A nearly deaf and very difficult Mrs. Richards arrives at the hotel. When she loses a large sum of money, she demands that the police be called.

The Psychiatrist - Basil is certain one of the guests has smuggled a girl into his room and sets out to investigate. Unfortunately, he is caught in a compromising situation by Sybil.

Waldorf Salad - An American guest tips Basil to keep the kitchen open late, but chef has left for the day. Basil steps in, but he meets his Waterloo when the guest requests a Waldorf Salad.

The Kipper and the Corpse - What should a hotelier do when he serves a guest breakfast in bed and finds that guest dead? Whatever that something may be, Basil does not do it.

Anniversary - It is Basil and Sibyl’s anniversary, and Basil has actually remembered. In true Basil fashion, however, he has not told Sybil he has remembered and she is hugely upset.

Basil the Rat - Manuel has been ordered to get rid of his pet rat before the health inspector pays a visit. But the pet breaks away, leading the Major to trying to shoot the rodent in the bar.

Basil Fawlty	---	John Cleese
Sybil Fawlty	---	Prunella Scales
Manuel	---	Andrew Sachs
Polly Shearmam	---	Connie Booth
Major Gowen	---	Ballard Berkekey
Miss Abitha Tibbs	---	Gilly Flower
Miss Ursula Gatsby	---	Renee Roberts
Terry	---	Brian Hall

Written by Connie Booth, John Cleese
Directed by John Howard Davies, Bob Spiers
Produced by John Howard Davies, Douglas Argent
Original Music by Dennis Wilson
Film Editing by Susan Imrie, Bob Rymer
Costume Design by Mary Woods, Caroline Hutchings

BAFTA® Awards
1980 – Best Light Entertainment Performance -John Cleese
1976 – Best Situation Comedy

“Had me retching with laughter.” -Observer

“Outrageously funny ... draws its humour both from the head and the bowels.”- Sunday Telegraph

“Great comedy.”- Evening Standard

“Not so much a repeat as a hallowed tradition.This most glorious of comedy series is always held up as being one of the finest ever made – if not the finest – but when one switches it on again one quickly finds that the attitude of homage and reverence doesn't last long. The show is simply too funny.”- Daily Telegraph, Australia

“More than 25 years after the first broadcast Fawlty Towers is still one of the best series worldwide.” -Expres, Belgium

If John Cleese's father hadn't changed his name when he joined the army in 1915, John Cleese would have been John Cheese.