Porridge

This collection presents the entire first series of the classic 1970s comedy Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale (Kate's father) as prison inmates. Lennie Godber (Beckinsale) is the new kid on the block, and, luckily, tough guy Norman Stanley "Fletch" Fletcher (Barker) is looking out for him. Episodes include: "New Faces, Old Hands," "The Hustler," "A Night In," "A Day Out," "Ways and Means," and "Men Without Women."

This DVD contains all six episodes from the second series of Porridge, and the pilot episode "Prisoner and Escort". The 1970s Britcom stars Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale (Kate's father) as prison inmates. Lennie Godber (Beckinsale) is adjusting to prison life and tough guy Norman Stanley "Fletch" Fletcher (Barker) is still looking out for him. Episodes include: "Just Desserts," "Disturbing the Peace," "Happy Release" and more.

Fletch is a crafty petty thief who has been in prison many times. He knows the ropes and how to score a few points against the rigid prison system. Sharing his cell at Slade Prison is Lenny Godber, a young first-time offender. A lad can make plenty of mistakes inside – it’s not just the screws he needs to be wary of, it’s also the inmates. Luckily, Fletch decides to take him under his wing and give him the benefit of his wisdom. In fact, Fletch becomes a father figure to many of the men inside and can easily get one over on the screws, especially weak-willed warden, Mr Barrowclough. Fletch’s nemesis is the unbendingly authoritarian Chief Officer Mackay, a dour Scotsman who brooks no nonsense from anyone and always keeps a suspicious eye on the lookout for trouble. Not that that stops Fletch often getting one over on him. Aiding, abetting and frequently hindering his escapades is a brilliant supporting cast of superb comic characters.

If you were serving time at Her Majesty's pleasure, you wouldn't get Christmas privileges half as good as this - two 40-minutes specials from inside the walls of Slade prison!
"No Way Out" - In his innocence, Godber is looking forward to Christmas, but Fletch knows that if, ''there's one big event around here, it's not the coming of Our Lord, it's the tunnelling of Tommy Slocombe''. And this Christmas, he is determined to stay well clear of Tommy Slocombe, his dodgy mates and their even dodgier plans for escape.
"The Desperate Hours" - So far, Christmas doesn't look good for Fletch and Godber - Mackay has discovered the illicit liquor they've been brewing in their cell since July and they're up before the Governor. However, whilst they're waiting to see him, things suddenly take a turn for the better... they get caught up in the psychotic Reg Urwin's attempt to take Mr Baraclough hostage (he's after a 'copter and 10,000 in used notes). Can Fletch be the hero of the day?

After three series and two Christmas specials of Porridge, Fletcher finally gets released from prison in Going Straight. Following his release from Slade prison, after numerous spells in prison and at the age of 45, Fletcher tries to stick to the straight and narrow, but it isn't easy - life in the outside world is just not the same as it used to be. Will Fletch take to life on the outside - or will he yearn for the company of thieves and screws?