But is it any good?
hey NOTE: THIS EPISODE SCREENS ON SUNDAY NIGHT ON BBC ONE AT 9PM.
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS.
Only Fools And Horseswas one of the most successful sitcoms ever broadcast by the BBC.
Writer John Sullivan always hinted there was a story to be told about Del Boys younger days.
So, the time now seems right to explore that avenue.
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Rumours abounded Freddie The Frog Robdal may have been Rodneys father.
Viewers aware of all this will get a lot out of this special.
But why was it shortened?
The establishing shots are rather low key.
The monochrome titles are a world away from the upbeat, jauntyOnly Fools And Horsesopening singalong.
The comedy moments take second place to the illicit romance of Joan and Freddie.
Buckley is a talented young actor and deserves to be better known.
He embellishes the part with some of David Jasons mannerisms, notably the forward pushing nod of the head.
Sullivan has included several characters and throwaway lines which explain many things in the parent show.
They used to sell things from a van outside the Nags Head in the 60s.
Here they are seen together selling hooky carpets from a van.
Only Joans friend Reenie Turpin suspecting the carpets might not be from a reputable source.
Albie Littlewood appears too.
He was mentioned in the 1985 episodeHappy Returnsas Dels love rival for the hand of the rather gauche Juney.
Littlewood meets a rather tragic end in 1964.
There were reports the special would feature the never-seen Monkey Harris; it doesnt, Im pleased to say.
The special ends with the birth of Rodney.
The star of the drama is undoubtedly Kellie Bright.
She brings just the right mix of sassy Cockney sparrow and struggling mother figure to Joan Trotter.
Its obvious where Rodney gets his artistic leanings from and his intelligence.
Phil Daniels relishes his role as a middle-aged version of Grandad complete with the ever-present trilby.
All in all,Rock And Chipsis an enjoyable and nostalgic one-off.
Dont expect a laugh-out-loud comedy, though.
Its darker and more thoughtful, bittersweet, even.
Dedicated fans will appreciate the back stories of the various characters.
James Buckley does very well, but we dont really see enough of him.
