Prismark10 Morecambe and Wise have become a much loved comedy duo in Britain mainly because the same few BBC Christmas Specials get constantly repeated. As someone remarked, if they were so good why are we not seeing the rest of their output?However it was only a matter of time that we see the formation of their beginnings as a partnership in 1941, a friendship that lasted over 40 years. It is undoubtedly a charming story, well acted by both leads that tells the story of these young performers and the beginnings of this famous comedy act until they launch their television careers although it would be some time before they would make it big on television.Vic Reeves and Victoria Wood play Eric Morecambe's parents although Ernie Wise's parents are not featured. There is nothing much earth shattering here, a tale told well with some sentimentality and stereotypes but despite the acting it is not always entirely memorable.

l_rawjalaurence Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise were for decades Britain's best-loved comedy duo. From humble beginnings in the last years of variety, they worked their way up through the theater, then on to television, radio and stardom. Jonny Campbell's biodrama contains two remarkable impersonations of the two comedians from Daniel Rigby (as Morecambe) and Bryan Dick (as Wise). They have both the vocal and physical mannerisms spot-on, and make an admirable double-act in their own right. As a piece of drama, however, ERIC & ERNIE founders on its clichés; during the wartime sequences, we have to hear snatches of Winston Churchill and King George VI speaking, complete with the obligatory air-raid siren; in the variety theaters where the comedy due ply their trade, there has to be the smoke-filled dressing-rooms and the fat theater manager (Ted Robbins) smoking a cigar. And don't forget the extracts from the classic backstage musical from 1933 - FORTY-SECOND STREET. And to cap it all, we have Victoria Wood playing Eric Morecambe's mother as a dominant figure incorporating every single stereotype about the Northern English woman, complete with full-strength cigarette hanging from the side of her mouth. She washes the front steps of a house, makes Sunday lunch and bosses her hapless husband George (Jim Moir aka Vic Reeves) around. The quintessential Nora Batty-type figure (from Roy Clarke's LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE), all she lacks are the cheap stockings and the pinafore permanently strapped round her waist. It's a shame that such potentially suggestive material should have been approached in so slipshod a manner; there was ample opportunity for the director and production team to recreate the world of the last days of variety, in which touring acts toured Britain to unappreciative audiences, most of whom were more interested in the nudes that often came on between the comedy acts.

studioAT Morecambe and Wise remain to this day one of the best double acts of all time and this great drama from the BBC shows us their early years. We all know what happened when they achieved fame so it is nice that this drama focuses on the other side of the coin.The casting in this is great. All the actors playing Morecambe and Wise not only look the part but capture the voice and characteristics of the two men and in some places you start to think you're watching the real men.Victoria Wood is also great as Sadie, Eric's mother and her story arc is at the centre of this piece that is beautifully captured by director Johnny Campbell.My only grumble is that much like every other media piece surrounding the comedians this drama is centred more on Eric than Ernie but otherwise this is a great drama.

TheLittleSongbird I absolutely loved Eric and Ernie, for me it was one of the best programmes over the festive season. Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are an unforgettable comedy duo and never fail to make me laugh or cheer me up. Eric and Ernie is a funny and affectionate tribute, and is close to perfection. The only reason why it isn't quite is that I agree it was a little too short. That said, visually Eric and Ernie is lovingly crafted and accurate, while the music is beautiful. The script is in my view superb, Peter Bowker(who also penned the script for the unforgettable Occupation) has a real talent for writing dialogue, the story is beautifully structured and never less than immensely engaging and the chemistry between Eric and Ernie was a joy as well as their antics and routines. The drama is also wonderfully directed, and there is never a dull moment. The acting hits the nail right on the head, Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick are both brilliant and the supporting cast with Vic Reeves, Victoria Wood and Reece Sheersmith are stellar. Overall, Eric and Ernie was brilliant, you can tell a lot of work and care went into this, and I am just amazed it turned out so well. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox