Big Train

1998 • BBC
4.3
17 reviews
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (6)

1 Episode 1
9/11/98
Season-only
Jesus sacks the Devil for not taking his job seriously, the Bee Gees have a shoot-out with Chaka Khan and we find out why firemen make better firefighters than showjumpers.
2 Episode 2
16/11/98
Season-only
The transport minister is finding it difficult to get things into perspective, a group of office workers stage a protest against the erosion of their personal liberties and we meet a reluctant policeman and a horde of jockeys who think they're wild animals.
3 Episode 3
23/11/98
Season-only
Kiang faces Hulz in the World Stare-Out Championships, there's a press conference with a difference and a convention of Shakespeare look-alikes.
4 Episode 4
30/11/98
Season-only
Adolf Hitler is in an unusually jovial frame of mind, the World Stare-Out Championships continue with Nanak versus Duran and we discover the difficulties of being a police sketch show artist.
5 Episode 5
7/12/98
Season-only
A visit from Darryl Hall and John Oates to a deprived council estate causes as much anger as optimism, a daredevil embarks on some crazy antics and Chairman Mao is in 'Top of the Pops' mode.
6 Episode 6
14/12/98
Season-only
The World Stare-Out Championships reach a thrilling climax as Kampagnola takes on Spatsky, Florence Nightingale is shown in a whole new light, and Chairman Mao is found in another unusual setting.

About this show

Big Train steams out of the comedy tunnel as realism meets utter stupidity in a cavalcade of daft sketches performed by high-quality actors in a series of stunning costumes and vast sets reminiscent of the worst excesses of DW Griffith. There are also lots of sketches in offices. Along the way we meet shy policemen, pop stars chasing jockeys, a duck in danger, hens in armed combat, a confused Transport Minister, highly charged sexual politics and casual, though necessary, violence.

Ratings and reviews

4.3
17 reviews
Bryan Tookey
18 January 2018
I found this really funny and it holds up well despite being 15+ years old (unsurprising given that it is mostly surreal).
A Google user
27 October 2016
...and the most under-appreciated