TV series
A British television comedy series, written by Michael Palin and Terry Jones of Monty Python fame. Following an initial pilot episode in January 1976, it ran for two subsequent series of five and three episodes in October 1977 and October 1979 respectively. Each episode had a different setting and characters, looking at a different aspect of British culture and parodying pre-World War II literature aimed at schoolboys.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Ripping Yarns is available to stream on Britbox (Via Amazon Prime) in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
A British television comedy series, written by Michael Palin and Terry Jones of Monty Python fame. Following an initial pilot episode in January 1976, it ran for two subsequent series of five and three episodes in October 1977 and October 1979 respectively. Each episode had a different setting and characters, looking at a different aspect of British culture and parodying pre-World War II literature aimed at schoolboys.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Set in the frontier days of British education, when upper lips were stiff with cold and corporal punishment was an A-level. A savage, searing indictment of something or other.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Terry Jones, Michael PalinGuest stars Ian Ogilvy, Gwen Watford, Terry Jones
Episode 2
A boy becomes a man in the harsh world of the Depression. The rough, tough story of folk who couldn't afford to go on the Jarrow March.
Directed by Jim FranklinWritten by Terry Jones, Michael PalinGuest stars Anita Carey, Petra Markham, Barbara New, Kenneth Colley, Liz Smith
Episode 3
A tale of courage and valour behind the lines in the Kaiser's Germany. An inspiring story of camp life and a British officer who wouldn't lie down.
Directed by Jim FranklinWritten by Terry Jones, Michael PalinGuest stars John Phillips, Roland MacLeod, Roy Kinnear, David Griffin, Timothy Carlton, Nicholas Day
Episode 4
Hugo and Dora drive down to see Mumsie and Dadsie-pie for a long weekend in the country. But their tophole weekend turns out to be longer than they thought.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Terry Jones, Michael PalinGuest stars Candace Glendenning, Frank Middlemass
Episode 5
The epic story of one man and six frogs who tried to defy the world in the greatest gamble of all.
Directed by Terry HughesWritten by Terry Jones, Michael PalinGuest stars Denholm Elliott, Don Henderson, Eileen Way
Episode 6
The terrifying story of a man who dabbled in the dark mysteries of the Orient, and lived to tell the tale. Or did he?
Directed by Jim FranklinWritten by Terry Jones, Michael PalinGuest stars Michael Palin, Michael Stainton
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Michael Palin
John Phillips
Candace Glendenning
Ian Ogilvy
Anita CareyIrene Olthwaite
Gwen Watford
Roland MacLeod
Roy Kinnear
BBC OneUnited KingdomMore shows like Ripping Yarns.
