The Germans
- Episode aired Oct 24, 1975
- TV-PG
- 31m
IMDb RATING
9.3/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
A moose head to be hung, a fire drill to be conducted, and German guests are all a bit much for Basil to handle while Sybil's in hospital.A moose head to be hung, a fire drill to be conducted, and German guests are all a bit much for Basil to handle while Sybil's in hospital.A moose head to be hung, a fire drill to be conducted, and German guests are all a bit much for Basil to handle while Sybil's in hospital.
Barbara Bermel
- German Woman
- (uncredited)
Martine Holland
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
- Director
- John Howard Davies(uncredited)
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe episode was one of the most popular of the series in Germany when it was first shown there in 1993.
- GoofsThe fire alarm that plays such a pivotal role, prominently placed at the reception desk, is mysteriously absent in all other episodes.
- Quotes
Basil Fawlty: Is there something wrong?
German Guest: Will you stop talking about the war?
Basil Fawlty: Me? You started it.
German Guest: We did not start it!
Basil Fawlty: Yes, you did. You invaded Poland.
- Crazy creditsThis is the only episode which does not open with an establishing shot of the hotel in its grounds, with the disintegrating or rearranged name sign. Instead, it opens with an establishing shot of the hospital Sybil has been admitted to (actually Northwick Park Hospital, London Borough of Harrow).
- Alternate versionsThe jokes with the names of the Nazi-leaders were slightly altered for the German version to fit spelling in the German language.
- ConnectionsFeatured in TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time (1997)
Featured review
rating the episodes from 1-12, this one ranks number 4!
This is the episode most people remember. And it is certainly one of the funniest in the series. Sybil is in the hospital for an operation, leaving Basil in charge of the hotel. Disaster strikes, of course, in the form of a moose's head falling on Basil. The next morning, the hotel is to conduct a routine fire drill, when an actual fire breaks out in the kitchen. Refusing to believe there is really a fire, Basil locks Manuel in the burning room. When he won't stop screaming and pounding on the door, Basil finally unlocks it and sees the blaze. After evacuating the guests for a second time, Basil goes for the fire extinguisher, which promptly explodes in his face. That lands him in the hospital with a concussion. Meanwhile, back at the hotel with Polly now at the helm, things are running very smoothly. That is until Basil unexpectedly shows up after bolting from the hospital. When he begins to interact with the German guests who have arrived, things really start to get funny, as he can't stop "mentioning the war." If you're looking for non-stop laughs, this episode certainly delivers!
helpful•76
- rsmikev
- Jan 31, 2006
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content