The Meldrews, Mrs. Warboys, and Mr. Swainey take a trip to the countryside.The Meldrews, Mrs. Warboys, and Mr. Swainey take a trip to the countryside.The Meldrews, Mrs. Warboys, and Mr. Swainey take a trip to the countryside.
Photos
- Policewoman
- (uncredited)
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
- Park Keeper
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhile the party is stranded on a boat in a marsh, Victor complains that they've wound up on the set of Apocalypse Now (1979). That movie was based on the novel Heart of Darkness, from which the title of this episode is derived.
- GoofsVictor punishes the care-home staff by tying them to posts, like the scarecrows that he had encountered earlier, and using cement to weight their legs down. This is akin to crucifixion and would have killed them.
- Quotes
Victor Meldrew: Oh, I very nearly forgot.
Miss Lander: Nearly forgot what?
Victor Meldrew: I very nearly forgot to call you an evil loathesome bastard. I wouldn't treat a sewer rat the way you treat these people and I shall be talking to the social services department first thing in the morning, to tell them about the sickening brutality that goes on around here in the name of geriatric care!
Miss Lander: I have to look after the welfare of all my residents, not just one or two! You haven't the first understanding of the way their minds work, or the destructive behaviour they're capable of!
Victor Meldrew: I'm sorry? Uh, what language are you talking in now? It appears to be BOLLOCKS!
- Alternate versionsThe original broadcast included a scene in which Mr. Gorshin is punched by Miss Lander, after he refuses to go to bed. On the floor he is kicked by both Miss Lander and Rachel, who mock his limp. After complaints about the episode, this scene was cut. It is included as on the DVD release, but is not included on the version on the BBC iPlayer.
- SoundtracksOut of Town
Written by Leslie Bricusse and Robin Beaumont
This is the episode I can remember most vividly from its original transmission, I remember the barrage of complaints the BBC received also. It's hilarious and shocking, I can think of very few shows that would have dared to be this bold. I always thought David Renwick wrote a script that would get viewers talking and asking questions.
Humour for me has always worked at its best when it's combined with sadness, with a darker tone, I can think of no other comedy that dared to go this dark, the brutal scenes in the home are genuinely distressing, no wonder they were cut from the repeats.
An episode of two halves, firstly the bright sunny start, Max Bygraves, and exactly half way there's a deliberate switch in tone. I doubt we will ever see a sitcom like this again.
The scene where Mrs Warboys and Mr Sweeney discover their feet are bound in cement is hilarious, the comic timing just outstanding. Once again Victor is a hero for social justice.
God bless you Victor Meldrew 10/10
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Jun 13, 2017
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