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| Let Them Eat Cake - Complete Series [1999] | ![Let Them Eat Cake - Complete Series [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SFDygp2EL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Actors: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Alison Steadman
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
Category: DVD
List Price: £15.99
Buy New: £7.98
You Save: £8.01 (50%)
New (16) from £7.65
Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 5132
Format: Full Screen, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5050582467642
ASIN: B000KGGP6M
Theatrical Release Date: September 9, 1999
Release Date: March 5, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Canned laughter was needed here September 15, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this thinking it would be of a similar standard to 'Jam And Jerusalem'...and was I disappointed. I could not get passed the first episode with its mediocre, predictable jokes and loud canned laughter. You needed to latter to indicate when it was supposed to be funny. A cross between 'Absolutely Fabulous' and 'Black Adder', it had the charm of neither. What a disappointment! Unlike the other reviewers, I think the public had it right when they canned this one.
I had not seen this before but, as it was cheap, decided to take a punt. I can remember a 'French and Saunders' skit where they ridiculed canned laughter and so why did they cynically put it in all their subsequent series except 'Jam and Jerusalem'. It is not needed.
 historically and hysterically funny but... September 13, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This story of secrets, lies and intrigue at the decadent French royal court is something of a puzzler. On first watching the series I didn't know what to make of it. It was funny but somehow lacked finish. Like it needed just a little more rewriting or editing or something because it sometimes feels like you're watching a play.
That being said I ordered the series the second I found it on DVD. On rewatching it I was surprised that most of that "something lacking"-feeling was gone and I just enjoyed watching the series immensly. While I still think that it could have been better, I must say that it is very funny. The plots are ingeniously stupid (and I mean that in a good way), costumes and decors are beautiful, the acting top notch.
Then why only four stars? Because I do feel it could have been even better. Here's hoping that some day they make a second series that's really 5-star quality. But I do consider this as a very good buy and a very good laugh.
 critics missed this badly September 4, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This was not a critical success, but that's because the critics were wrong -- French & Saunders have never been better and the whole series is hilarious. You will laugh out loud many many times!!
intelligent humour June 25, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is one of the best comedy series I ve ever watched!
Absolutely delightful!
It helps a lot to know a bit of france's 18th century history but the humour is so contemporary in any case!And all the actors are brilliant.
Definitely a good purchase. Scales higher than any French & Saunders show!
Now that french revolution, marie antoinette etc are so popular themes again thanks to recent films... could we hope for a second series from Mr Learmouth? If only...
Les Liaisons Stupide March 11, 2007
32 out of 35 found this review helpful
Cruelly under-rated, this is easily as good as anything produce by French & Saunders, either collectively or individually. Set in the Palace of Versailles in 1782, the basic premise is similar to that of Blackadder 3. But instead of Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder braving the idiocy of Hugh Laurie as the Prince Regent, here we have Dawn French as the bored but wily servant who has to suffer fat, rich and stupid member of the French aristocracy Colombine, Comtesse de Vache (Jennifer Saunders).
In supporting roles are Adrian Scarborough as Bouffant, Colombine's dress-maker, Alison Steadman as Colombine's nemesis Madame de Plonge as well as Lucy Punch playing Eveline, her sexed-up but (supposedly) virginal daughter. Appearing in individual episodes are Richard E. Grant as the Marquis de Sade, Julian Rhind-Tutt as Madame de Plonge's camp acid-tongued advisor, Cathy Burke as Colombine's poor and duplicitous sister and Maggie Steed stealing every scene she's in as Madame Vigee-Lebrun, artist to the aristocracy.
With everyone involved playing to the gallery, the humour comes fast and funny helped along by an abundance of silly costumes, wigs and situations. The performers are encouraged to adopt several ridiculous (and historically inappropriate) accents ranging from Dawn French's distinct west country twang and Adrian Scarborough's broad Yorkshire to a quite ridiculously over-the-top Bavarian accent afforded to Marie Antoinette (Elizabeth Berrington).
Stand-out situations include Colombine's absolute refusal to open doors for herself, Lisette's regular references to the 'the old Comte' and the superb moment when Bouffant staggers in with hair and make-up everywhere having been subjected to the amorous attentions of Eveline declaring angrily 'do I LOOK like I'm heterosexual?'.
TV comedy is littered with shows that were unappreciated during first runs and only became favourites upon being repeated extensively and maybe 'Let Them East Cake' would have benefited from such repetition on TV. Or perhaps Dawn and Jennifer were less committed to the show as it was a rare example of them performing in something they did not write (Peter Learmouth gets the credit here). Whatever the reasons, the show was not a huge success and was not re-commissioned so, alas, we only have these 6 episodes to treasure. We must therefore be grateful for the issuing of this DVD and, if you are a fan of French & Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous or Blackadder all you really need to do is just press the 'Add To Shopping Basket' button above. Honestly, you'll thank me.
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