One Foot in the Grave: Season 1

BAFTA® Awards
1994 - Best Light Entertainment Performance – Richard Wilson 1992 - Best Light Entertainment Performance – Richard Wilson 1992 – Best Comedy – Susan Belbin, David Renwick British Comedy Awards®
2001 – Best TV Comedy 1995 - Best BBC Sitcom 1993 - Best BBC Sitcom 1991 – Best TV Comedy Actor – Richard Wilson

The BAFTA nominated series about the growing pains of growing old is finally on DVD! Forced into early retirement, Victor Meldrew optimistically tries to adjust to years of leisure with his wife Margaret. If only events—coincidences, misunderstandings, bureaucratic inefficiencies and sheer bad luck—didn't conspire against him.

Includes the following episodes:
Alive and Buried
The Big Sleep
The Valley of Fear
I'll Retire to Bedlam
The Eternal Quadrangle
The Return of the Speckled Band

ALIVE AND BURIED - At the age of 60, and after 26 years of loyal service, Victor is retired from his job as a security guard for Watson-Mycroft. He's replaced by a box and a recorded message.

THE BIG SLEEP - The Meldrews attend an atheist funeral and receive a visit from what Victor calls "the Jehovah's Witness police." As the fog descends on suburbia Victor wakes up thinking he's dead... and attempts to assault God.

THE VALLEY OF FEAR - Victor is mugged while photographing the sunset over Bluebell Wood, and graffiti is sprayed on their house. These events lead to the Meldrews heading a neighborhood crime prevention meeting.

I'LL RETIRE TO BEDLAM - It's a trying time for Victor when he is first trapped in the shed for three hours, then stuck in the opticians for a day with his eyes shut. Then to top it all the greatest horror becomes a reality - a day babysitting Iris's kids.

THE ETERNAL QUADRANGLE - Margaret is pleased when Victor takes up a new hobby but regrets her encouragement when she discovers that he's been painting a nude and giving the model a lift home afterwards.

THE RETURN OF THE SPECKELED BAND - It's holiday time for the Meldrews but Victor's scared of flying. Things only go from bad to worse when suburbia is invaded by reptiles.

One Foot in the Grave explores the world of sixty-year-old Victor Meldrew, a black-humored anti-hero - a moody, temperamental curmudgeon who rails against the passage of time. A difficult character even on his best behavior, he sorely tries the patience of his long-suffering wife, Margaret and their friends. When Victor is forced into early retirement - a fate he regards as little better than a death sentence - the abrupt transition from working man to senior citizen leaves him floundering for a purpose in life. To make matters worse, Margaret continues working, leaving him home all day to fuss and fume over every small incident - each of which now mushrooms into an epic blow to Victor's self-esteem!

Cast
Victor Meldrew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richard Wilson
Margaret Meldrew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annette Crosbie
Jean Warboys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doreen Mantle
Nick Swainey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Owen Brenman
Patrick Trench. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .August Deayton
Pippa Trench. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Janine Duvitski
Starkey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .Enn Reitel
Ronnie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gordon Peters
Mrs Jellis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Valerie minifie
Production Credits
Written by. . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . .. . . David Renwick
Directed by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Susan Belbin, Christine Gernon
Produced by. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Susan Belbin, Jonathan Paul Llewellyn
Cinematography by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Record