Privilege (1967)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Peter Watkins

Writers:

Norman Bogner (written by)
Johnny Speight (story)

Release Date:

28 February 1967 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

[Privilege...] is probably the most extraordinary film you will ever see

Plot:

Steven Shorter is the ultimate British music star. His music is listened to by everyone from pre-teens to grandparents...

Plot Keywords:

Love | British | God | Popularity | Onward Christian Soldiers

Cast

Paul Jones	...	Steven Shorter
Jean Shrimpton	...	Vanessa Ritchie
Mark London	...	Alvin Kirsch
William Job	...	Andrew Butler
Max Bacon	...	Julie Jordan
Jeremy Child	...	Martin Crossley
James Cossins	...	Professor Tatham
Frederick Danner	...	Marcus Hooper
Victor Henry	...	Freddie K
Arthur Pentelow	...	Leo Stanley
Steve Kirby	...	Squit
Malcolm Rogers	...	Rev. Jeremy Tate
Doreen Mantle	...	Miss Crawford
Michael Graham	...	Timothy Arbutt
Michael Barrington	...	The Bishop of Essex

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X

Filming Locations:

Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK

Company:

John Heyman/Peter Watkins Production

Trivia:

Sarah Miles was offered the role of Vanessa Ritchie.

Movie Connections:

References Triumph des Willens (1935)

We will conform!

Privilege was Peter Watkins' feature length debut. Using the faux documentary style, Watkins' follows a year in the life of a pop star. Stephen Shorter, Britian's most beloved pop icon. Shorter's handlers pimp him out to the highest bidder. What's so scary about this movie is how it's still relevant, even in today's society. One of my favorite scenes in this movie is when the Church of England uses Shorter's services to try and lure more converts. Utilizing a set that's eerily reminded me of a large Nazi youth rally (crosses replacing swastikas) The crowd is led by a young charismatic priest (who speeches commands an audience like Hitler)he leads the audience chanting "We will conform".

Critics called this movie heavy handed and others called it paranoid. I say it's excellent and Mr. Watkins did a fantastic job directing this film. It's too bad this movie's virtually impossible to find. Oh well, if you ever happen to come across it don't even stop and pause. Watch it!

Highly recommended.

Factoid: A movie and audio clip from this movie can be found on the Big Audio Dynamite song and video "Just Play The Music"