let me start by say how much i love the tv series . despite the tragic nature of a middle age man seemingly unable to pursue his dream because of his overbearing and manipulative father and it be incredibly light hearted and fun to watch in practice . in my opinion and it be without doubt one of the great british sitcom of all time . the tv series have my positive rating without reservation . this movie spin off on the other hand be a true tragedy in every sense of the word . hardly any of the essence of the tv show be transfer successfully onto film . this movie have a very dreary and depress tone that almost move me to tear on several occasion . see harold be beat up in a pub ( and not in a comical way ) be not my idea of comedy but be most definitely one reason why fan of the tv series will not like this movie . the movie be painfully unfunny except for the scene where albert bathe in the sink and be see by a neighbour . the romance between harold and zita be completely out of tone and it make me wonder whether the producer of this movie ever bother to watch the tv series . in the tv series and harold always go after respectable girl and not stripper . albert reaction to the remark make against him by harold girlfriend be absolutely priceless in the tv series . in the movie and albert say virtually nothing when such an opportunity rise . most movie spin offs of british sitcom tend to be quite dull and with the notable exception of the on the bus film ( which in some respect be actually good than the tv series itself . ) . but and steptoe and son have to rank right at the very bottom of the pile and even below george and mildred . my advice skip this one and see the second spin off and steptoe and son ride again instead . it have a much light tone and be more faithful to the tv series and and be actually very funny .