Today Steve Headland tells us about his favorite Only Fools and Horses episode and why
This is my favourite episode, To Hull and Back.
Christmas special 1985.
Original transmission : Wednesday 25 December 1985, 7.30 p.m
Original viewing figures 16.9 million.
Duration 90 mins.
First repeat : Thursday 1 January 1987, 8.30p.m
This christmas special is not everyone’s favourite episode, because no classic scenes standout, but I loved it.
Boycie and Abdul tell Del that they’re planning to buy some diamonds from a Mr Van Kleefe in Amsterdam. They have a briefcase containing £50,000 for the stones, they intend making a profit as the stones are worth £150,000. Boycie and Abdul can’t take the risk of getting caught so they ask Del if he’ll act as the courier, taking the money across the North Sea and delivering it personally to Mr Van Kleefe, and then returning back with the stones.Del turns the offer down until he is offered £15,000.Del gets Rodney to come along who says’ I suppose we could treat it like a holiday’.Chief Inspector Slater is investigating the diamond smuggling and Hoskins lets slip that Boycie and Abdul are involved.Del suggets to Boycie and Abdul to use the back of Denzil’s lorry to finalise their plans. Rodney is on look out. Denzil gets into his lorry before Del can get out and goes to Hull.Rodney follows them in the robin relliant van.Eventually, Denzil’s lorry stops. Del gets an idea at the North Sea fishing port. Del decides that rather than using the airports which Slater is expecting, why not hire a boat.Uncle Albert joins them as they need an experienced sailor, but they couldn’t find one so Uncle Albert had to do! Rodney says ‘Every ship or vesal that man has sailed on has sunk. Del replies ‘ I know, lucks gotta change sometime.They get lost. Del’s great one liner in the North Sea canal, ‘Don’t act suspicious Rodney, just pretend we’re Dutchman, Ajax. Del then realises that Boycie and Abdul have given him counterfeit notes to exchange for the diamonds. They get lost again.When they get back,Chief Inspector Slater is waiting to catch them, but he is then caught himself by Hoskins. Del then thinks the £15,000 that Boycie and Abdul gives him is counterfeit as well and throws it out the window.Del switches over a couple of diamonds for cats eyes on his cufflinks to make the trip to Hull and Back worthwhile.
Only fools and horses on christmas day was probably the best present you could ever receive. If the BBC put it back on BBC1 on a friday/saturday eveing I”m sure the viewers from the 1980’s/1990’s children would start watching them.
I have heard rumours about a dvd soon to be released with deleted episodes, just wondering if that was true. I have seen a dvd called collectors edition series 1-7, but people say no extra special scenes are on this box set compared to the original dvd’s. What do you think ?
“To Hull & Back” and “The Jolly Boys’ Outing” are the 2 best episodes ever of “Only Fools and Horses” !
John Sullivan – at the absolute top of his game writing for this episode. My most favourite one because there is a gag in virtually every scene and of course the actors all play it out beautifully. This special’s season included Happy Returns which of course has its own special place in OFAH history.
to hull and back is my favourite episode but the story is pointless because van cleef ring slater to tell him who the courier is. but i still love this show
I’d love to see the outtakes released on dvd and also the rare episodes such as gulf war, schools programme, etc.
acually don’t be upset But I don’t think they is any Out-takes on dvd of only fools I dont want to be a bare of bad news but I don’t think they is any rare episodes of only fools Sorry
Does anyone know if Only Fools And Horses will be released on Blu Ray? I would love to see all the behind the scene stuff along with bloopers and anything related to the show. How cool would that be???
Dont think they are planning to but you never know.
http://www.onlyfoolsandhorsescuts.net/why-are-episodes-cut.html
Acually I don’t think they did any bloopers of only fools but if you despertly want Blu Ray episodes you can find them on Amazon.com and Ebay
As it stands no, there are no plans for only fools to be released on Blu-ray (to the best of my knowledge) which is a damn crime in my opinion.
the very least this great comedy deserves is a Blu-ray release featuring missing scenes, out-takes, e.t..c…
I have many favorite episode’s but the one I liked best is “Mother Nature’s Son” Oh hell, there all my favorite as who’s to say one show is better than another. The Jolly Boy’s Outing was GREAT, To Hull and Back was so cool and the episode “Danger UXD” stands right up at the top of my list also.I only wish the show would air here in America on BBC, people here don’t know what they are missing. To me Rock and Chips is outstanding also and I can’t wait to see part 3 around Easter. Keep them coming John Sullivan!!!
this is a great episode but my favourite has to be the jolly boys outing
A great episode, never tire of watching it. Must be in most people’s top 10!
I was told by 2 entertain that they don’t plan on releases any new DVD’s unless the demand is there. Even if they did re-release them I doubt that would put any effort into the set. I wish the BBC would just sell the rights to a decent DVD company like Network.
This is one of the Only episodes which could be made into HD as its on film. The only other episode is Oh to be in England.
An HD version of To Hull and Back would be incredible! Please make it happen the powers that be.