One of the funniest British sketch shows I have ever seen. Vastly misunderstood by a lot of people. In my opinion it's truly hilarious and I've shown it to a lot of my friends, who have absolutely loved it.The 'Jockeys in the Wild' sketch is one of the most hilarious, brilliant sketches I have ever seen, same goes with a lot of Big Train sketches.I can understand why some people just don't 'get it' but what I would suggest is don't watch it expecting too much. Just watch it expecting a funny, British comedy and that is what you will get. I'd say it's something of a 'cult comedy' and with most cult shows or films the people who do love it, really, really love it. And there's a reason for this kind of appreciation, it's because it's marvellous! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who likes the shows Mighty Boosh, any Simon Pegg comedy, Peep Show, Little Britain. A great British treat.

Warning Contains Some Spoilers!!!!!!!!The first time I saw this show I was shocked at the sheer quality of the rather a-typical sketch show format. Despite the similarities with other shows (as many previous writers have mentioned), this show did provide us with both memorable sketches and stars.Some of the sketches appeal to all people, and are somewhat standard in their BBC origin. For example Simon Pegg (as a general) explaining to a conference of people about a missile attack, whilst providing his own sound effects to the video. Whereas other sketches share more common ground with dark experimental sketch shows such as Jam. For example the sketch where Mark Heap repeatedly threatens Kevin Eldon for making references to him not being married (which included Kevin Eldon mentioning kids kicking a coke can?). Also it is impossible to provide a review of this pro gramme without mentioning the parallels between this show and Monty Python. Big Train clearly learnt and borrowed from Python's love for the completely irrelevant, for example in the second series Simon Pegg knocking over a turtle that apparently does not speak English, but does speak perfect French! As for the Stars of the show, they have gone on to some very important work with regards to British comedy. For example Mark Heap, went on to do Green Wing (one of the best new British Sitcoms), and he also did Spaced (between the two series). Simon Pegg, obviously did Spaced (between two series), Shaun of the Dead, and has more recently been cast in Mission Impossible 3 (admittedly not a direct comedy). Kevin Eldon, made numerous appearances in many of the newer comedies e.g. Spaced, Green Wing and had a co-star role in Hyperdrive (which stars Nick Frost, who also made an appearance in one of the sketches in Big Train). As for the female cast members they have also had been linked with important work. For example Catherine Tate, who is now a very common figure in family entertainment! Also Julia Davis has been linked to a number of big projects for example, The Office, and Love actually.Big train was an important comedy training ground for British talent, and whilst admittedly borrowing a few ideas from other shows (as do all comedies!) it gave us a lot of laughs.Bravo!

At times this is an original sketch show, with surreal, witty moments. Someone should have told them that the staring sketch simply wasn't funny once, let alone being repeated in different forms again and again - not just in the first episode, but the second, the third - and probably all the rest. Luckily the DVD can be skipped; but still skipping a DVD past bits you don't like isn't a particularly good thing to have to do.Generally the trouble is that a point is made, and then is overmilked - we get the joke, move on. One of the reviews here implies there's no studio (canned?) laughter - but there is - at least on the UK DVD, and it is quite inappropriate, it should be optional. We also have the BBC forcing its previews - so you can't put the DVD in, leave it to go through the copyright stuff, and come back ready at the menu. 7 out of 10, needs better editing.

BIG TRAIN (UK, 1998)A brilliant show that, sadly, did not run for very long on British screens. The superb cast, who are able to carry even the most craziest of sketches, do a great job and the writing is spot-on.Some of the sketches, especially those featured in the first series are classic. The sniper farmer, the Bee Gees shootout, the stare-outs, the boss with a phobia of spoons and of course the little boy on the bike. Real laugh-out-loud stuff.Superb, fresh comedy at its most British. Love it!GAV