The League of Gentlemen: The Complete Series 3

The ironic name of this BBC program--adopted from a genteel 1960 British heist film--conceals a comedy series so venomously dark and mean-spirited that any similarity to the sort of chummy English shows regularly broadcast on PBS stations is purely accidental. In this third series, hailing from 2002, three of the show's four writers play most of the major characters (often in drag)--the very peculiar denizens of a town called Royston Vasey. In the first two series, their bizarre behavior--which often had gruesome consequences--was presented in sketch format, but this most recent batch of six episodes takes a different tack, telling interlocking stories (though all end with a single car crash seen from varying perspectives) and introducing many new characters. Despite the alterations, however, the tone is, if anything, bleaker and more deranged than ever with its peculiar cross (and cross-dressing) between the comedy and horror genres. DVD extras on this double-disc set include audio commentaries, a “making-of” featurette, deleted scenes and outtakes, a video diary, an interview with the costume designer, and more. Very much an acquired taste (and for those who have developed it, this set will be an essential purchase), newcomers are advised to begin with the first series and proceed with caution from there. Recommended. [Note: The League of Gentlemen: The Collection, compiling all three series and the "Christmas Special" is also available for $99.98.] (F. Swietek)