Reviews & Ratings for
"The Vicar of Dibley" More at IMDbPro »

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28 out of 34 people found the following review useful:

Hilarious

Author: xsnowangelx from Colorado, US.
20 October 2005

'Vicar of Dibley' is one of the funniest shows ever made. It is consistently hilarious. It never fails to make me laugh. Dawn French is priceless as the lady Vicar who arrives in a sleepy, yet crazy town whose occupants are expecting a male Vicar. She wins them all over eventually of course, but spends most of the time dealing with the general insanity of the village on a day-to-day basis. Dawn French, James Fleet and Emma Chambers among many others in the brilliant cast make this show a flawless, classic comedy. If you are a fan of British comedies, you should check this one out for sure. It is one of the absolute best.

32 out of 42 people found the following review useful:

On the contrary sir. I shall have everything in the world that I desire.

Author: Andy (film-critic) from Bookseller of the Blue Ridge
18 October 2005

I will be the first to announce this here. I have a growing list of films that I have seen this year (ranging from the early 1920s to present) that I have ranked among my favorites that I have seen. While most do a list of what was released this year, I go beyond that because I see more than what is just released at the theaters. While I have consistently kept to just cinematic releases for this list, I believe with this series, The Vicar of Dibley, I am going to make an exception. This was, in my opinion, one of the funniest, cleverest, poignant, and original series that I have ever witnessed. While I am a huge fan of Scrubs, Family Guy, and the very underrated Arrested Development, this BBC released series takes the cake. Up until the final episode (which seemed forced and very strange), this series was chock full of some of the best one-liners imaginable on television. Each episode will continue to impress you, continue to make you laugh, and honestly make you dream that you lived in a community like Dibley. It is a feat that many modern, American, television shows fail to accomplish.

Big businesses, aka "corporations", are slowly turning the small individual communities into a suburbia frenzy. With shows like Friends and Everyone Loves Raymond, you see this mythological world where no bills need to be paid, everyone looks perfect, and jobs seem like a thing of the past. It creates this false sense of security, this idea that you need to live in a GAP world to be truly happy. Finally, there is a series that gives you hope that without the fancy clothing, without the fast cars, with just the simplicity of your neighbor, you can live a very meaningful life. Perhaps I am searching too deeply into this series, but The Vicar of Dibley gave me this newfound appreciation for the unique in my community. To witness a bunch of literal, bumbling stooges, run a facet of the Church's organization made me laugh constantly. Not only was writer Richard Curtis attempting to bring to view the idea of women at the pulpit, but also I believe that he was also taking a slow stab at local governments and their idiosyncratic ways. After watching this series, I miss the closeness that my small town used to have before the influx of mini-malls, multiplexes, and those horrid payday lenders. I wish I could live in Dibley, be a part of this nurturing community, and finally find piece in a non-commercial induced world.

Overall, this is one of the best programs that television has to offer. I suggest to everyone reading this review to run, never walk, to your nearest family-owned store to pick yourself up a copy of The Vicar of Dibley. The unique character development, the insanity of every situation (which bring about buckets of laughter), and the bond that these characters have cannot be seen in any other television series currently out there. The jokes are fresh and smart. There is not an outpouring of physical humor that you can see in nearly every pre-teen film released today. It is witty, charming, and (not to sound too repetitive) THE BEST television shows EVER! I do not think that I am speaking hastily, but honestly. I have never been ready to re-watch a series again as I have this one. So, join me, the Vicar, David & Hugo, Alice, Owen, Frank, and Jim on a wild ride. Should you watch this television series more than once…

"No no no no no no no no no no no no no no … yes!"

Grade: ***** out of *****

22 out of 26 people found the following review useful:

An absolute British Riot!

Author: dkatewin from Dallas, Texas
26 February 2002

If you have yet to see this show you're missing out!!

I have found this show on late at night on PBS and have found it to be one of the funniest shows I've ever seen on TV! It is written by Four Weddings writer Richard Curtis and is starred in by some of the most fantastic British comics on screen today. Dawn French and Emma Chambers are absolutely hillarious together. I really found it a relief and a pleasure to see something so funny on TV for once.

12 out of 14 people found the following review useful:

Brilliant

Author: Didier-5
21 June 1999

"Vicar of Dibley" is one of the funniest comedies from anywhere I have ever seen, "no no no no, yes". You will not be sorry, if you miss it on tv, get it out on video. Laughter is good for the soul, plenty here.

13 out of 17 people found the following review useful:

A souvenir I brought home from the UK

Author: missmarmite from Hamburg, Germany
13 April 2002

I watched an episode of this series first on a holiday in England, not knowing what it was. Dawn French was in it, reason enough for me. What I got was amazing: A series full of weird but so amiable characters which I had never seen anywhere before. I instantly adored every minute of it. Now it's the only series I own completely on video/DVD and even after the hundredth time watching it I still want to see it once more.

My urgent plea to any German broadcaster: Show this ! The comedy in Germany became much better over the recent years, but nobody can top this. So show it!!!

I rate this 12 out of 10!

10 out of 14 people found the following review useful:

An absolute delight!

Author: Mike-433 from Asheville, NC
19 December 1998

The Brits have a flare for comedy that is unmatched and it is exhibited strongly in Vicar of Dibley. You'll find yourself laughing until tears roll down your cheeks.

11 out of 16 people found the following review useful:

Dawn French is Fabulous

Author: Thomas Squiers from Bedford, TX (USA)
12 May 2005

Anything that Dawn French is in is Fabulous. Of course, Vicar of Dibley is one of my favorites simply because, as an Anglican, this focuses on a woman who is a priest. It is unprecedented - it came at a time when women struggled their way to become recognized in the Church of England and allowed to hold roles in the priesthood. The cast is wonderful and offers many opportunities throughout each episode for side-aching laughter. Of course, French can't take the cake by herself. Her sidekick, Alice Tinker (Emma Chambers), whose remarkable role as a "dingbat" (or as David Horton refers to her as a "moron) keeps the laughter rolling. And the comedy ends at each episode with the Vicar and Alice having a spot of tea and the Vicar telling a joke - usually with Alice not understanding the punchline. Genuine humor.

7 out of 9 people found the following review useful:

Funny, lighthearted and uplifting

Author: Josh (joshualieder@earthlink.net) from Warwick, Rhode Island
24 March 2001

I borrowed this series on videotape from my local library after a couple of women in church suggested it to me. I love the show, from its opening music to its silly joke after the credits. Not usually a fan of "foreign" humor but the characters in the series are warm, crazed, real folk who make you smile. Thanks for entertaining me. I would love to have a Vicar just like yours in my town!

7 out of 11 people found the following review useful:

Loved the show!

Author: anonymous
25 September 1998

Loved the show. Histerical! Dawn French is delightful. Why can't us Americans learn something of GOOD comedy today from the English. They seem to have it down pat.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:

Great example of old fashioned British humour

Author: paudie from Ireland
14 October 2009

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I purchased this collection for my better half, who is a big fan. I didn't consider myself a fan. In fact I usually tried to avoid watching it when it was on TV. However for a few evenings when there was nothing on TV we decided to put "The Vicar of Dibley" on. Since I had bought the boxset I thought I'd better watch a few episodes anyway. Anything for a quiet life!To my surprise I found myself really enjoying it. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, even if you can see most of them coming a mile off.

The "Vicar of Dibley" is not edgy or groundbreaking. It is from the tradition of broad British humour, full of ridiculous situations, puns and double entendres. It gently pokes fun at the upper classes and the establishment. The characters are one-dimensional and in general don't change at all. However the comedic situations are so well written and acted that even the most cynical will be laughing. Dawn French is brilliant as the trendy but lonely vicar. Despite her smart remarks you cannot help but wish her the best. The supporting cast including Gary Waldhorn and Roger LLoyd Pack are all experienced comic actors and relish their roles. Particular mention goes to Emma Chambers who plays the really, really thick Alice. who gets the most memorable lines. The "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" speech is a particular highlight. The writing is great, creating the standalone world of Dibley, with its own logic and conventions. You could buy this a present for a "real fan" but end up loving it yourself.

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