This terrific comedy showcases the talents of two of Britain's best actors, the late Michael Elphick and Ian Richardson, who are portrayed as Nazi soldiers in the SS assigned to topple the British economy by counterfeiting the currency. (This is a true story that actually happened in WW2).Michael Elphick is superb as a cowardly conniving small-time crook who will do anything to avoid fighting. Ian Richardson is also in top form as his incompetent commanding officer. Together, they recruit a gang of Jewish criminals from concentration camps and set about their merry work.This is one of the best comedies ever made with great performances from the entire cast. Regrettably, the DVD (produced by the BBC) is not available in the USA, presumably to appease American Jewish groups who would consider a concentration camp an inappropriate venue for a comedy. BTW, the story was recently made into a highly recommended dramatic German-language film (The Counterfeiters, 2007).

A fabulous cast, plot and hilarious script. Richardson is superb as an incompetent placed in a position of power. His acting is just supreme. Elphinck is cast as the intelligent one who is always thwarted by fate or Richardson. Richardson plays a Nazi Major and suggests to Hitler [ from an idea of Elphinck's ] that they flood Britain with forged five pound notes. Elphinck is instructed to produce the forgeries with concentration camp / slave labour. He is parachuted into England but finds that his contact [ Played by Richardson again ] has been turned by British Intelligence. He manages to escape back to France. He is always trying to have romantic encounters in which fate always has the last laugh. His main love is Billie Whitelaw who works in a brothel designed to extract military gossip and traitors by eavesdropping [ Salon Kitty style ].Elphinck tries on many occasions to get his hand on the money but, finally fails but ends up with Whitelaw [ after the war is over ].I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE ON DVD - are the BBC mad ???

Based upon reality, this wonderful series took off with the minor character only wanting to get along within an organization that was bound to bring down the British economy through counterfeit money. While it's true that part of the series is set in a DZ, it's part and parcel with the trials of the title character, who tries to avoid active service by any means.Naturally, his avoidance is foiled at every turn. Through the machinations of his superiors, he is drawn deeper and deeper into the scheme, which is advanced through the "Technical Section of the SS", a mistake proof bureau that manages to fowl things up about once an episode.Despite the bungling of the "experts" (and the best efforts of the good private) the banknotes finally reach their destination. How they end up is the punch line (as well as an excuse for a final comic turn for the star members of the case.It's not Blackadder, but it's still a different (and comic) take that's worth watching.

One of the best comedy series of all time. Have been awaiting a DVD/video release for years, or a re-showing on TV.Today is the 60th anniversary of VE day. WWII was one of the most horrible things to ever have happened on our planet; saying that Private Schultz is repulsive is akin to deriding Kelly's Heros, Hogan's Heros or the Germans episode of Fawlty Towers - and misses the point completely.There's a big difference between making sick, cheap jokes about such events, and ultra-high quality comedy drama like these pieces.I cannot wait to revel in it's pleasures once more. Surely 2005 will see a DVD release.