Des asked his fans to pray for Eric after his heart attack. Upon hearing this Eric replied "Those four or five people probably made all the difference".
Everything about this is so perfect I could cry. There’s a whole world right here that’s gone forever, faithfully, authentically and superbly recreated by all involved.
@@GraemeBT Actually, I was a bit confused over dates as they never gave an accurate timeline. 1948 brought in standard Black Livery didn't they, when British Rail was created?
My mum was a HUGE Victoria Wood fan as a lot of 80's mums were and as videos were new to us at the time it didnt take me long before i'd watched all my videos and my sisters collection were all god awful romantic teen comedies so i found my mums Victoria Wood as seen on tv collection and loved it, she was not solely a comedian and some of her sketches could be quite serious and sometimes very dark and that was a rare trait in those days and gave me a broader sense of what comedy could be. A national treasure taken way too soon
The film was her idea. She had to chance to write it but she felt it needed to be a male. Fair enough, when they finally do a Joyce Grenfell biopic (long overdue) that must be a female writer (Phoebe Waller Bridge, what are you waiting for?).
All the actors were excellent and Victoria Wood is always a pleasure to watch; so sad she is no longer with us. I must say the actor who played the adult Eric was uncannily like him, especially his mannerisms and facial expressions. Hadn't seen this before and so glad I found it.
This is marvellous, and what joy Eric and Ernie shared with the world, and along with the wonderful Victoria Wood they brought sunshine indeed. And a big hug to the gifted and wonderful writer Eddie Braben, whom Stephen Tomkinson plays beautifully in Eric, Ernie & Me.
Dan Rigby spent two popular years on stage doing as good a job as Eric did in a one-man show in the face of the Left's ownership of entertainment in this country. It just goes to show that not everyone on our stages and screens are employees of Vladimir Putin and his friends in the Labour party's BBCSSR.
Thank you Vickie Wood for another masterpiece. I loved this, and I feel blessed that I got to watch all three of these geniuses in action. They're all sorely missed.
this film is wonderful and its nice to see M&W treated with such respect. they were always funny, never offensive and future comedians should learn from them.
I live in the US and watch UK TV. About a year ago I just happened to DVR a Morcambe and Wise special. OH MY GOODNESS! I love them! Then I re watched a Victoria Wood special and saw that Victoria had done a TV movie about their early career and found it here. WONDERFUL and completely enjoyed each and every actor. It was like watching Morcambe and Wise themselves. Bravo! and well done.
What an amaziing film of a time past when pennies were counted and values were so different in a time of war. Thank God for Erics Mum who saw the future of these two who were destined to become the Nation favourite, we miss them both, R.I.P Eric & Ernie.
I hate biopics, it's impossible to nail 'bottled lightening', trying to capture the spirit of those we study so closely, mannerisms, voices, there's always a compromise somewhere, something you have to live with.. but not here, this is perfection
One drawback with not owning a tv is missing gems like this. Spot on casting and excellent writing. Thank you Victoria for having the idea and the ability to bring us this piece of tv history. You were a genius in your own right, but this just really shows the depth of creativity and imagination you had, RIP
My most magical memories of childhood was Christmas day and the eagerly awaited Morecambe and Wise show. The whole family together and in stitches. It doesn't happen nowadays. They're missing out.
Superb casting, well delivered story line which outlines their rise to prominence. Reminds us of how talented this era of entertainers were. Ant and Dec are just auto cue presenters with zip talent. My younger sister used to walk Ernie's dog, a black scottie, back in the 70's as he lived just down the road from us. Lovely man, always a smile, polite and humble. Quite the antithesis of the limited talent today.
Had to stop after 25 mins, and say how much I'm enjoying this, and that I never knew what an eye for talent Eric's mum was. Okay, I've said my piece, so I'll make a fresh brew and get back to the show. Ooooh this is good stuff.
+Avidcomp I read your comment so I have just watched it. I didn't think it was any good. The actors were very good but I guess I just don't find Morecambe and wise funny. The story was very boring.
Absolutely right! Walk out onto any street Christmas when MW were on with their Christmas special and you might see one or two people that’s all! I know I’m going to sound an old fart when I say this but that period little did we know it was the end of variety, the end of real skill and craft when it came to entertainment. Not one of the new brigade now can come anywhere near in terms of talent or the ability to entertain with a possible exception of Peter Kaye. The rest, to get the laughs they have to shock and awe, there really is little talent with the Uni generation, just a lot of hype!
This was excellent. There were times when it was actually like watching the boys in the show. Hearing Eric and Ernie singing Positive Thinking at the end brought tears to my eyes.
My god, Victoria Wood, what an amazing woman. Missed this when it first came out, just seen for the first time, 11 years late....superb. How nice to see something actually WRITTEN by someone with TALENT. Pity Victoria wasn't hired by DR WHO.....
I often regard Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer as the Morecambe and Wise of my teen years, their styles were definitely not the same as only one of the acts had a straight man but they both came from roughly the same area of the country and both seemed to be having so much fun in each others company that it was infectious to the audience and i thought having Jim Muir (Vic) play Eric's dad was a masterstroke in casting and Jim really nails it, best i've seen him act but helped massively by Victoria Wood's performance alongside him, she steals every scene and she was a massive part of my childhood as my mum was a huge fan of hers and once i'd seen my meagre 80's video collection i watched my mums video collection and watched Victoria's "as seen on tv" series religiously, introduced me to dark humour and it wasnt a typical gag heavy comedy show but so glad i was exposed to it young, a multi talented lady taken way too soon and i remember when they filmed this there were stories in the press that she was the driving force wanting to get this project going and i may be misquoting here but she said something like " they were so beloved yet no one had really told the story of how they met and became a double act" and she was right
Just EXCELLENT. Not only do they look like Eric and Ernie, but sound and act like them too. I love the little 'references' throughout to quips that would later become their trademarks. Again, so believable. Victoria Wood is wonderful as Eric's mum, but they are all great. Thanks so much for posting this amazing docudrama. One of the best I've seen. Superb!!
That wos good that wos! Absoluuutely brilliant. Thankyou Victoria Wood for your great idea. Rest in peace Eric and Ernie, you were the funniest Englishmen I knew.
This is great. Brings back so many wonderful childhood memories. Both actors did very well, especially the man playing Eric Morecambe, he has nailed that performance.
Rubbish! :D I'd have to say that he had the easiest part - Eric had more "quirks" than Ernie such as the sucking of the teeth, jiggling his spectacles etc. BUT - having said that, yeah, he did a fantastic job, he even walked like Eric did! A bloody amazing tribute, way better than I thought it would be.
To be honest, I agree with you - it is easier with the distinctive mannerisms and quirks etc. but a poor or even an average actor could easily fall into the trap of overdoing those things, hamming them up and relying too much on them. I just feel that he got the balance spot on and pretty much 'became' Eric Morecambe as a result.
Ben Sullivan and I in turn have to agree with you! As someone said (might have been you) - he almost seemed to be channeling Eric, and only a good actor would know how to get it just right. And I have to admit, towards the end, it was almost like seeing Eric himself acting the part. Ernie, though, had a lot more work to do, but looking past the facial differences, he also did a very good job, imo, specially onstage towards the end.
Skraeling1000 I thought Ernie Wise was great casting, he got the voice absolutely spot on. With Ernie's condescending tone speaking down to Eric when he was messing about, very good indeed.
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams..
I saw M+W in Bournemouth in the 60s. They encompass Northern outlook and humanity in the day , and never left their roots. Seen this years ago , like reading a book twice ; gets better. Ref. to George Thornby and Arther Aski ( playmates ) specially. Thanks so much mum !!!. Dave
My childhood was Morcombe & Wise re-runs and I have a charming nostalgia for these two hopelessly lame comedians of a bygone era. This is a great tribute to the men. Producers, writers and directors should be proud of this little movie. 🥰
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams.
Great tribute to a great comedy act. I was in a real bummer of a mood until I watched this. Victoria Wood and Vic Reeves are perfect as Eric's parents, and the leading roles are like watching Eric and Ernie. Thanks for the great upload. A
I owe much of my first forty years of laughter to this pair ..since they've been gone... My laughter diminished also.. A great unfolding drama of their success story ..worth every second of viewing time... Might watch it again later ..lol..
Absolutely fabulous,-was the first time Ive seen this but it wont be the last -whoever did the casting deserves a medal as big as a frying pan,tip top-Eric and Ernie would be soo proud !!!
nothing like them.....and neither eric or ernie got in to a car drunk with his mum in the back and crashed the car!!!!! absolutely nothing like morecambe and wise, that is an insult to two very fine upstanding stand up comedians and entertainers who had more talent in their little fingers than ant and dec have in their whole bodies
I cried when Ernie sang By the Light of the silvery moon in full voice.epitomised the whole due to me. What a life they had and how we benefited from it. Thank you,
A gem. Everything a movie should be: engaging. They don't make them like this one often enough . Excellent from acting, direction, shoot and edit. Thank you, BBC.
Dashed my American ear👂 I can't understand a blessed word Without captions I'm lost and know I'm missing out on a great story Have to sign off😪 but happy for those that can appreciate what I know is a great film 🎭
Apart from comic brilliance, Eric and Ernie, like Stan and Ollie, were just loveable people and it was this appeal that helped to make them so great. They were true friends and this came out in their performances and though they were competitive as on screen characters, their friendship added depth and character to their interaction, understanding each other so well. This drama portrays them so accurately, with excellent casting and scripting. I shed a tear at the end remembering they are now gone and we will not see their like again.
Was so great to see how they both started, the roots of their art. They were a brilliant act and you will not get better than those two - Morecombe & Wise. :-))
utter quality from start to finish - every actor is brilliant in this, the teen actors, the adult versions, victoria wood - even jim moir, who i've never seen act as convincingly as this, is perfect as the stoic dad - daniel rigby was magical - i physically had tears of joyful nostalgia the first time i watched this - you can tell this was a real labour of love for everyone involved who was old enough to remember the originals
I remember watching this on TV when it first aired and enjoyed it as much now as I did then. I also watched it a couple of years ago. Thanks for sharing.
Eric would be so proud of Luton getting into the premiership a far cry from his joke :"We do a lap of honour when we get a corner and hire a tour bus when we get a goal ."
This was one of the best dramas ever! I just think that it ended too soon, before they made their TV comeback, ironically that's the BBC's fault as well.
For those of you who are too young to have seen them, this was the show that when the Queen was asked what time she wanted her Christmas dinner, she replied, "What time is the Morecambe and Wise Show on?"
Fantastic cast , script & direction . It makes you realise just how much you miss these two. We wil lnever see their like again ( do NOT say Ant & Dec !)
