Porridge (TV Series) The Desperate Hours (1976) User Reviews

Decent Christmas episode

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 22 January 2024]

A prisoner takes Fletch, Godber and some of the prison staff hostage.

This is a good episode with humorous character moments.

The situation is pretty funny as it puts a group of 'Porridge' characters into what should be an intense hostage drama, but does it in a low budget British sit-com way. When you have characters in Slade Prison waving guns and demanding helicopters it is hard not to smile at the concept.

Most of the banter between characters is pretty strong, with the likes of Fletch, MacKay, the Governor and Barrowclough having the best of it. Ronnie Barker is on great form as always and is supported well by other cast members.

Christmas cheer at Slade prison

[louiseculmer · 10/10 · 6 October 2016]

This is a brilliantly funny episode of Porridge in which Fletcher and Godber decide to bring festive cheer to Slade prison in the form of distilling illicit alcohol. This naturally leads to trouble, and soon they find themselves in the governor's office. They don't mind this too much as it gives them a chance to feast their eyes on the lovely Mrs Jameson, the governor's secretary. But unknown to them, the governor's new trusty, Unwin, has his own plans for Christmas. This episode contains many hilarious lines, like Fletcher's comment when the harassed Mr Barraclough asks where he can get a helicopter "you're being a bit lavish with your Christmas presents this year, aren't you?" The whole cast is on top form, and every line is funny, and there are a few moments of real drama as well. A wonderful Christmas cracker.

The Desperate Hours

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 24 December 2018]

It begins as a festive episode with hijinks as Fletcher and Godber have brewed illegal hooch. Strong enough to peel paint.

As they are marched into the Governor's office by Mackay, the governor is suffering from the turkey trots. New trustee Urwin holds everyone hostage with a gun he has made in the metalshop and is demanding a helicopter and a safe passage to Mexico.

Mackay has a plan to knock Urwin out with tranquilizers in the coffee but Barrowclough gives the cup to Fletcher instead by mistake.

The longer episode takes its toll with the hostage situation on the way. To get laughs Godber and Fletcher are left reminiscing about funny events which is looks like padding. The major revelation is Barrowclough has been up to no good with the Governor's secretary.

The Desperate Hours. 24th December 1976

[hitchcockthelegend · 5/10 · 28 December 2014]

Well a bit of a disappointment, not just as an Xmas Special, but even as a normal Porridge episode this doesn't cut the mustard. It begins with Xmas chatter and Fletch and Godber reveal that they have been brewing illegal hooch which is now ready to be sold for the yuletide season. Unfortunately they get caught and not only that, they become hostages in the governors office when trustee Reg Urwin decides he wants out and he has a gun. The comedy is in short supply, it's saved from being very poor by Barrowclough's bumbling appreciation of the situation, and of the sexual frivolity brought to the crisis by having the governor's secretary, Mrs. Jamieson, as one of the hostages. Average fare. 5/10