Thick as Thieves

It's fun to see a young Bob Hoskins, starring in this 1974 eight-episode Britcom about a petty criminal just out of prison who returns home to find that his wife is now living with his best friend and partner in crime (John Thaw, best known as Inspector Morse). But don't expect any Three's Company-type shenanigans or any other "crude and sordid" goings-on. Instead, it is, as Hoskins' confounded character states, "a classic situation," in which Annie (Pat Ashton) insists they carry on as three in both personal and criminal matters. Not as well known as other British series that have been introduced to stateside viewers via PBS, Thick as Thieves is a sharply written (by the scribes for The Commitments), well-acted discovery, although--viewers be warned--the accents are a tad thick. Looking as good as might be expected for a '70s British television production, this extra-less DVD set is recommended, overall. (K. Lee Benson)