Fawlty Towers (1975)
The legendary BBC sitcom in which a catastrophically rude hotelier and his long-suffering staff turn every guest stay into glorious mayhem.
Fawlty Towers - Series Information
- Original Title: Fawlty Towers
- First Air Year: 1975
- Last Air Year: 1979
- Created by: Connie Booth, John Cleese
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French
- First Air Date: September 19, 1975 (United States - TV-PG), September 19, 1975 (United Kingdom - 12), September 19, 1975 (Australia - PG)
- Networks: BBC Two
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
- Alternative Titles: Das verrückte Hotel Fawlty Towers (DE), Hotel Zacisze (PL), L'Hôtel en folie (FR)
Fawlty Towers - Plot
Owner Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil, a chambermaid Polly, and Spanish waiter Manuel attempt to run their hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding guests.
Fawlty Towers - Trailer
Check out a clip from the series and see the chaos of Fawlty Towers in action.
Watch Fawlty Towers video on YouTube ↗
Don't mention the war!
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Fawlty Towers - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Connie Booth
- John Cleese
Main Cast
- John Cleese
- Prunella Scales
- Connie Booth
- Andrew Sachs
- Ballard Berkeley
- Gilly Flower
- Renee Roberts
- Brian Hall
- Elizabeth Benson
- Terence Conoley
Writers
- John Cleese
- Connie Booth
Fawlty Towers - FAQs
Is Fawlty Towers based on a real person?
Yes. John Cleese based Basil Fawlty on Donald Sinclair, the notoriously rude and eccentric owner of the Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay, Devon, where the Monty Python team stayed in 1970. Sinclair's abrasive manner and contempt for guests directly inspired the character.
Why did Fawlty Towers only have 12 episodes?
John Cleese and Connie Booth deliberately chose quality over quantity, writing only six episodes per series. Cleese has said he preferred to stop while the show was still at its best rather than dilute it. The result is one of the most perfectly crafted sitcoms in television history.
What is the 'Don't mention the war' episode?
"Communication Problems" and "Basil the Rat" are fan favourites, but the most iconic episode is "The Germans" from Series 1, in which Basil's frantic attempts to avoid mentioning World War II to German guests result in an increasingly unhinged and hilarious breakdown — one of British comedy's most celebrated scenes.
Where to watch Fawlty Towers?
Fawlty Towers is available to stream and purchase on several platforms depending on your region. Use JustWatch to find the most current and complete list of streaming, rental, and purchase options available where you are.
Who are the main actors in Fawlty Towers?
The principal cast includes John Cleese as Basil Fawlty, Prunella Scales as his wife Sybil, Connie Booth as maid Polly Sherman, and Andrew Sachs as the hapless Spanish waiter Manuel. Supporting players include Ballard Berkeley, Gilly Flower, Renee Roberts, and Brian Hall.
How many seasons does Fawlty Towers have?
Fawlty Towers has 2 seasons, each containing 6 episodes, for a total of 12 episodes. Series 1 aired in 1975 and Series 2 in 1979. Despite its brief run, the show is consistently ranked among the greatest television comedies ever made.
Who created Fawlty Towers?
Fawlty Towers was created and written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, who were married during the writing of Series 1 and divorced by the time Series 2 was produced. Both continued to collaborate professionally, delivering some of the sharpest comic writing in British television history.
Did Fawlty Towers win any awards?
Fawlty Towers received widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including BAFTA recognition. It has been ranked the greatest British television programme of all time by the British Film Institute and consistently tops polls of the best sitcoms ever made in the United Kingdom.
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