Only Fools and Horses home video releases

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Only Fools and Horses DVDs have been sold in Regions 1, 2 and 4. Only Fools and Horses started in 1981 and ended in 2003. 64 episodes were broadcast in total. Six shorts were made, four of which were broadcast commercially but none of them have been released on official DVDs.

This is a rough guide to the various cuts made to episodes of Only Fools and Horses released on DVD in the UK. Despite the BBC's claim that many of these edits have been made with the cooperation of John Sullivan's family, his son Jim has criticised them:

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The large majority of these [edits] were truly awful, with little, or in most cases no, consideration whatsoever given to story coherence or gags. Many were so bad and poorly executed that they really had to be seen to be believed. Still many more were completely baffling. For example, Del Boy saying "Monchengladbach" to Anna in the episode "From Prussia with Love" had been removed – our only conclusion being that some bright spark at the BBC, unsure of what this actually means, but gripped by the sheer terror of possibly, perhaps, just maybe offending somebody, decided it best to be safe than sorry. We found the BBC’s attitude towards these edits, and the show in general, to be careless, lazy and indifferent. It was made perfectly clear to us that the BBC has no concern whatsoever for quality and precision; only a bizarre obsession with whether or not they may be offending certain people. Sadly, I expect that the fact that they are, in taking this approach, actually offending a lot of people, has never even crossed their minds. When Dad first envisioned and wrote Only Fools, it was his intention to explore and express the vibrant, multicultural face of (what was then) modern London. Why the BBC has such a problem with this and is so afraid of it that it resorts to censorship is beyond me. All I do know is that they are extremely determined to create problems where there aren’t any.

Most cuts date back to the initial VHS releases starting in the early 1990s and were often made due to licensing issues of the music played in the background. Licensing was done separately for broadcast and then, often at a much later date, home video. This meant that sometimes the music granted for use in the broadcast was later refused for use in the home video release.

Some of the edits were made subtly by replacing music, but some were made by removing entire conversations or even scenes. These edited versions are still the only versions available on DVD today.

In the late 2000s, changes in UK music licensing arrangements (also known as 'blanket licensing' deals) meant that music previously replaced for BBC DVD releases (such as the initial release of Doctor Who - Remembrance of the Daleks) could now be reinstated as originally broadcast. However, the BBC would first have to re-submit the episodes to the BBFC to be classified, so effectively although the law has changed, the BBC would still have to formally re-release any relevant episode, and could not simply quietly substitute the already existing DVDs on the shop shelves.

The currently available range of Only Fools And Horses DVDs often carry disclaimers such as on the reverse of The Complete Collection which states, 'For contractual reasons certain edits have been made.' Similar disclaimers can be seen on the reverse of To Hull and Back, Mother Nature's Son, Fatal Extraction and Heroes And Villains. However, there is sometimes no disclaimer where the DVD is known to have been edited.

Some minor edits have been noticed over the years, that differ from the original broadcast such as those in 'It's Only Rock And Roll' and 'Tea For Three'. Particularly with early series, it is possible that some episodes overran thirty minutes and were subsequently edited down on repeats to keep within the stringent 30 minute timeslot that modern TV scheduling requires.

Some of the most noticeable cuts are detailed below.

Series: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Specials: 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1996 1 | 1996 2 | 1996 3 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | Story of...

DVDs

Series DVDs

Only Fools and Horses: Series 1.

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 7 Episodes
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • The original introduction and closing credit theme tunes by Ronnie Hazlehurst are replaced by the more familiar John Sullivan theme tune first used on series 2.
  • Cash and Curry: "Money" by Pink Floyd replaced with stock music over the photo montage sequence of Del selling all the Trotters worldly goods.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
20 November 2000 3 May 2004 7 October 2003

Only Fools and Horses: Series 2

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 8 Episodes
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
2 April 2001 3 May 2004 7 October 2003

Only Fools and Horses: Series 3

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 8 Episodes
  • 1 Disc Set (Double-sided)
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • Healthy Competition: The theme to the 1975 film Jaws has been replaced with a similar track when the Policeman is walking towards the Trotter brothers in the marketplace.
  • Thicker than Water: The following lines have been cut, possibly due to sentimental reasons. (Actor Lennard Pearce died in 1984 during the filming of Series 4.)

Del: In all that time he didn’t know if Grandad was dead or alive.
Rodney: Well we’re never that sure!

Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
4 June 2001 6 May 2005 7 October 2003

Only Fools and Horses: Series 4

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 7 Episodes
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • Watching the Girls Go By: The following lines have been cut, possibly due to sentimental reasons. (Actor David Jason's then partner Myfanwy Talog died in 1995 from breast cancer.)

Albert: Some of them married now, are they?
Del: A couple of 'em are dead.

The following dialogue has been cut because of music.

Del: Oi Orlando!

Yvonne: (starts singing): "I would not leave you in times of trouble."
Del: Yeah that's beautiful Vonny, that is really lovely you know. Yeah you'll go a long way.
Yvonne: (still singing) "We never could have come this far. I took the good times."
Del: That's really nice Vonny, that is yeah beautiful I love it.
Yvonne: (still singing) "I'll take the bad times"
Del: Yeah super... Oi Orlando!
Yvonne: (still singing) "I love you just the way you are!"
Del: Gordon Bennett, that’s my bloody earhole Vonny!
Yvonne: Sorry Presh!

Del: Stone me, leave it out.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
1 October 2001 6 May 2005 12 October 2004

Only Fools and Horses: Series 5

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 6 Episodes
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)

Music cut: "I who have nothing" by Joan Baxter and following dialogue.[1]

Dialogue Cut: Various bits of dialogue have been cut when Del, Rodney and Lisa are sitting at the pub table. The scene is intact, however, on the iTunes version.

Pub Cut 1

Lisa (DVD): I was so impressed.
Lisa (Cut): Oh I must be honest. I had a silly little crush on you then!
Del (Cut): Did you really? (Lisa kisses Del on cheek) Oh-Ooh-Oooh.
Rodney (Cut): Yeah well that's cos he was a much older man weren't he. I mean you was just a little kid.
Del (Cut): Yes, Well of course Rodney is a year younger than you isn't he sweetheart.
Lisa (Cut): Oh about that yeah.
Lisa (DVD): Did you ever get the Mercedes?

Pub Cut 2

Del (DVD): Listen, er you know, before you go home you ought to come round to the flat, you know and, we can have a chat about old times, and you know, you can stay for tea.
Lisa (Cut): You mean dinner?
Del (Cut): No, no, we get dinner down the market. You know, I meant tea. You know, proper tea.
Lisa (DVD): Oh thanks, I'd love to.

Pub Cut 3

<Albert is on the stage at the piano>

Lisa: Isn't that your uncle?
Del: What's that soppy old duffer up to?
Albert: I'd like to sing a very special song for a very special lady who unfortunately ain't with me tonight. I like to think this song was named after my dear sick wife. It is that beautiful old ballad, "Ada".
Del: "Ada"?
Lisa: Is there a song called "Ada"?
Rodney: Well there must be, he's about to sing it.

Albert: (singing) "Ada, you with the stars in your eyes, love never made a fool of you."

The Flat Cuts

Back at the flat when Albert has finished his tanning session, a line of Del's dialogue is cut:

Albert (DVD): I'm fed up with you, I'm going down the legion.
Del (Cut): Yeah, well just make sure that you put on a pair of trousers first. A lot of stray dogs round the estate.

As Rodney starts his tanning session, a line of Albert's dialogue is cut:

Albert (DVD): I don't want to see that happen to you and Del.
Albert (Cut): Now I know this is going to come as a bit of a shock to you Rodney.
Albert (DVD): Rodney? Bloody kids!

Dinner with Lisa at the flat table.
(Note that Rodney offers Lisa some of the cheeses he brought in the transmitted episode but he puts it straight on the table in the DVD version)

Rodney (DVD): Only when I smile.
Del (Cut): It's wonderful how nature compensates.
Lisa (Cut): How do you mean?
Del (Cut): Well with a face like that he's nothing to smile about has he?
Rodney (Cut): Here you are Lisa, we have a selection of cheeses. We got erm, cheddar, that's double Gloucester and that one's Cracker Barrel.
Del (Cut): Pfff.
Rodney (Cut): Well the paki didn't have a lot of choice did he. And this ain't really Lymeswold territory you know.
Lisa (Cut): Oh I'm sorry Rodney, I really couldn't eat another thing. It was a lovely meal, thank you both.
Del (Cut): Oh that's alright.
Del (DVD): Listen Rodney, I wouldn't stand about in that suit too long if I was you, not with your head.
Lisa (DVD): Why not?
Del (DVD): Well he looks like a Swan Vesta!
Del (Cut): You've only got yourself to blame haven't you.
Rodney (Cut): I didn't think the timer on that thing was faulty.
Del (Cut): Oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah.
Rodney (Cut): I only wanted a thirty minute tone-up, two and a half hours I was under there, Derek.
Del (Cut): Oh, It'll be alright, be alright, don't worry about it Rodney, cos in a couple of days time it goes all flaky and scabby, then it falls off and it'll all be gone, see.
Rodney (DVD): How's your Mum these days Lisa?

All scenes restored on iTunes release.

Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
30 September 2002 4 August 2005 12 October 2004

Only Fools and Horses: Series 6

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 6 Episodes
  • 2 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)

Several cuts because of music[2]

Mickey: Jevon! Jevon!

Jevon: What?
Mickey: See the blonde bird? I’ve had her! And 'er mate. See the black sort at the back there! Phones me all the time.
Jevon: You're a hell of a man, Mickey.
Rodney: Mickey, are you doing this for charity?
Mickey: What d'you mean?
Rodney: Well, I just wondered whether it was sponsored bullshit.

Mickey: I'm telling you the truth, Rodney!

Two attractive girls pass by. They stop and smile at Jevon.

Girl in Disco: Hi, Jevon.
Jevon: Watcher, darling.
Girl in Disco: Not dancing tonight?
Jevon: Not at this precise moment in time. But being a creature of impulse, I am coiled like a spring, ready to move with sinuous grace when the music takes me. If either of you should be in the vicinity when this occurs, then who knows, it could be your lucky night.

The girls both sneer at his flashness, but it's an enjoyable sneer. (they like him and his style. Jevon laughs out loud at his own audacity as the girls move on."

Jevon: OK – I've given you two losers an audience, and now its time to do what I was put on this earth to do – to bring pleasure and excitement into the lives of attractive young women.

This cut leads to the scene at the Disco cutting in awkwardly from the opening long shot to Jevons line "And tonights lucky winner is, that chick sitting at the corner table." indicating Cassandra and her friend.

After Rodney and Cassandra Say Hello their next exchange is cut:

Cassandra: Erm, was there something?

Rodney: What? Oh yes. Would you like to dance with me?
Cassandra: Thank you.

And the final lines of the scene are cut: Mickey: He's paid her, that's what he's done! He's offered her half the winnings!

Jevon: Mickey – shut up!

Two music tracks are cut but its unknown what they are. "Love Goes Up and Down" by Errol Brown is not cut it plays over the whole scene of Mickey, Jevon and Rodney attempting to get Cassandra and her friend Emma to dance.

On the original broadcast version, Simply Red's 'It's Only Love' is playing in the background of the Nag's Head in the scene where Rodney and Albert are discussing their concerns for Del's health with Cassandra. In the DVD and video versions, this song has been removed, and no music plays, removing some of the emotion of the scene.
The DVD release of this episode includes 8 minutes of additional footage not seen in the transmitted version. An early cut of the episode was used for the DVD by mistake.

Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
22 September 2003 4 August 2005 11 October 2005

Only Fools and Horses: Series 7

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 6 Episodes
  • 2 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)

In the scene where Rodney is holding Trudy up against a car, 20 seconds have been cut after Cassandra drives away. In the complete episode, Rodney walks away as Trudy slides down the side of the car laughing. Scene restored on iTunes release.

Music ‘Mighty Quinn’ by Manfred Mann, the scene of Del and co singing along drunkenly to the track has been cut from the complete Series 7 video from 2000 but can be seen/heard on the earlier 1993 ‘Danger UXD’ video, so it is obvious that the BBC had the rights earlier but the record company has since withdrawn them. Scene restored on iTunes release.

Music O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when Damien looks at Rodney for the first time. The replacement is noticeable as it covers the audience laughter.

Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
6 September 2004 4 May 2006 10 October 2006

Christmas special DVDs

Only Fools and Horses: To Hull and Back

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • Original DVD packaging states that certain edits have been made. Partwork packaging correctly omits this statement.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
12 November 2001

Only Fools and Horses: A Royal Flush (The 2004 Version)

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
For the UK DVD release the episode was heavily re-edited (including at least 18 minutes of cuts). An audience laughter track was also added. The back of the DVD release refers to this version as 'The 2004 Version'.

The reasons for this alternative edit were because of John Sullivan's dissatisfaction with the finished version as originally broadcast. The final transmitted episode was hastily edited, as it was being prepared for transmission on Christmas Day 1986 and there was not enough time to run the episode in front of a live studio audience. Also, Sullivan has stated that he felt in the scene where Del is drunk at dinner, he came across as too nasty.

The original 1998 UK video release did not contain an added laughter track and more accurately reflected the running time of the original 1986 broadcast version. The version released in the DVD partwork collection is the complete version as it was released before Sullivan had made the edits,

  • No laughter track was in the original broadcast.
  • Originally after Rodney said to Vicky in the car that he had contacts who got him the tickets, you see the drivers' eyes stare at Rodney and then shakes his head, now it cuts to their car arriving at the theatre.
  • Rodney's reaction at the expensive price of the theatre programmes "eight pounds?" for "Carmen" is cut.
  • The scene where Rodney escorts Vicky into the theatre auditorium is cut as Junie asks Del why he didn't get her a theatre programme for the opera and he replies that she can't read.
  • A number of short bits are cut from the theatre auditorium scene, including Junie and Del dropping litter on the floor, Del offering crisps to Vicky and Rod, Del arguing with disgruntled patrons, Del whistling along to the opera singing and Junie becoming queasy.
  • A short scene outside the theatre between Del and Rod which includes this line " it was alright until Junie did her psychedelic yodel" is cut.
  • A number of short scenes are cut from the Dinner sequence at Lord Melbury's, including Del running his finger around the rim of a glass, a discussion about the 'Shed' at Stamford Bridge football ground and the quality of a player, Del's dialogue following his line "They weren't his drugs", Del's "you thought I was going to say arse" joke and the ski-ing joke, Rodney saying he better not stay the night.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
9 May 2005

Only Fools and Horses: The Frog's Legacy

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
20 November 2000

Only Fools and Horses: Dates

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
6 May 2002

Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys' Outing

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • The beginning of the scene at the Mardi Gras Nightclub has been cut because of music ‘Just the Way You Are’ performed by Lee Gibson . This has resulted in a 4-5 minute gap in the video release. Scene restored on iTunes release. [3]
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
6 November 2000

Only Fools and Horses: Rodney Come Home

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • A line about "shaking hands with Princess Di" has been cut.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
6 November 2000

Only Fools and Horses: Miami Twice - The Movie (aka The 1998 Version)

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • Miami Twice was the name given to the two-part 1991 Christmas special episodes. Part 1 was a standard TV episode, whilst Part 2 was produced as a movie, recorded entirely on film and without a studio audience.

For the 1998 video release, the two episodes were edited together as one continuous episode, and a laughter track was added to the second part for consistency. This resulted in the removal of the end credits sequence of Part 1, and the omission of the beginning credits of Part 2 (which originally appeared over the "Summer In The City" track). The final credits were also amended to reflect the cast and crew for both parts.

This 1998 Version was also the version released on DVD. The original 1991 'movie' version of Oh To Be In England without a laughter track has never been commercially released on home video or DVD, although it has been repeated in broadcasts.

  • Miami Twice Part 1: The American Dream

Closing shot where Del and Rodney enter plane has been cut from the 1998 video release.

Del: Hey, hey! Come on Rodders! (Singing) Everything’s free in America, kippers for tea in America. (To stewardess) Have a nice day."

Rodney: Oi! Pack it in, get on that aeroplane!"

Del: Alright, alright.
  • Miami Twice Part 2: Oh To Be In England

Soundtrack music track ‘Rockin’ All over the World’ by Status Quo replaced by 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' by Tears For Fears at the start of the episode where Del and Rodney are on the plane. Most dialogue is intact apart from a brief section when Del removes his headphones. On the broadcast, he says, 'Oh'. On the DVD, the sound of him laughing at the start of the scene is noticeably repeated in its place.

Del and Rodney meet the Mafia at the nightclub and the following lines are cut. 'Killer' by Adamski featuring Seal is on the original soundtrack at this point, but this does not seem to be why the cut has been made as other music tracks in this episode have simply been replaced. It is possible that the track was actually being played at the time of filming, and so the dialogue could not be isolated. This track continued originally over the next scene of Lurch breaking into Del and Rodney's camper van. As a consequence of this cut, Del and Rodney's introduction to the mafia members is greatly shortened, a gag where the mafioso mistake them for Australians is omitted, and it is now left unexplained how Lurch knew that they had a camper van outside.

Both episodes are uncut and available to purchase on YouTube.

Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
19 May 2003

Only Fools and Horses: Mother Nature's Son

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • ‘Money’ by The Beatles – has been replaced by an instrumental tune. iTunes version, however, includes the song.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
24 May 2004

Only Fools and Horses: Fatal Extraction

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
12 July 2004

Only Fools and Horses: Heroes and Villains

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • Music O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when (in the dream sequence) the adult Damien looks at Rodney and says "...Uncle Rodney!". The replacement is noticeable as it covers the audience laughter.
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
9 February 2004

Only Fools and Horses: Modern Men

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
9 February 2004

Only Fools and Horses: Time On Our Hands

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
9 February 2004

Only Fools and Horses: If They Could See Us Now

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
11 November 2002

Only Fools and Horses: Strangers on the Shore

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
17 November 2003

Only Fools and Horses: Sleepless in Peckham

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
4 October 2004

The Story of Only Fools and Horses

Set Details DVD Cuts
  • 1 Episode
  • 1 Disc Set
  • 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • Subtitles: Yes
  • English (Stereo)
  • None
Release Dates
United Kingdom Australia United States
7 April 2003

Compilation DVDs

Three compilation DVDs were issued in 2004:

iTunes Downloads

Along with series 1-4 being released on iTunes (minus their Christmas specials), the following collections were also released. Some featured material that had previously been cut for VHS/DVD:

See also

Notes

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