Love Thy Neighbour – The Complete Series to be released on DVD

Thames Television’s 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour, starring EastEnders’ Rudolph Walker, is to be released on DVD in July. A bonus for fans the big-screen movie version of the programme is also coming to Blu-ray and DVD too.

You can choose your friends, but whether you live in a back-to-back, a suburban semi or a mansion, you can rarely choose your neighbours… Love Thy Neighbour – The Complete Series (12) is released on DVD on the 11th of July 2016.

This complete-series set comprises the unscreened pilot episode, all eight series – in their intended running order for the first time, the Christmas 1972 short sketch for All Star Comedy Carnival, the 1973 New Year Special and a brand-new transfer of the 1973 feature film from its original film elements in its as-exhibited aspect ratio.

All episodes are presented complete and uncut and have been remastered from the best available materials. Highly popular – and more than a little controversial – Love Thy Neighbour consistently appeared in the top three programmes of the week throughout the majority of its eight series run – even its repeats reached the top of the charts.

Its comic spin on racism, politics and general childish antagonism was loved by millions and remains a firm favourite to this day.

RRP £59.99, courtesy of Network Releasing.

Also as part of Network’s British Film Collection the big-screen version of the sitcom is coming to Blu-ray next month.

Love Thy Neighbour (PG) feature-film charts the ongoing dissention and one-upmanship between confirmed bigot Eddie Booth and his Caribbean neighbour Bill Reynolds.

Presented in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its theatrical aspect ratio, Love Thy Neighbour features Jack Smethurst (Chariots of Fire), Rudolph Walker (Eastenders), Nina Baden-Semper (Rage) and Kate Williams (Quadrophenia) all reprising their starring roles alongside appearances by comedy veterans Patricia Hayes (A Fish Called Wanda) and Arthur English (Are You Being Served?), Army Game legend Bill Fraser, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum‘s Melvyn Hayes and Dad’s Army’s James Beck.

Unbeknown to their warring husbands, neighbours and close pals Joan Booth and Barbara Reynolds deliberately enter a “Love Thy Neighbour” competition to win a holiday cruise. Already fearing the consequences, the wives find neighbourly relations further strained when each couple has relatives to stay – prompting them to wonder what’ll happen when Bill and Eddie find their parents actually get on..!

The comedy is released on Blu-ray RRP £14.99, and DVD RRP £9.99 on July 11th 2016, courtesy of Network’s ‘The British Film’ collection.