Privates on Parade (1983)

The members of SADUSEA (Song And Dance Unit South East Asia) fall in and out of love while trying to dodge Malayan Communist bullets in the late 1940s. Not only that, they have to contend ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Blakemore

Writers:

Peter Nichols (screenplay), Peter Nichols (play)

Stars:

Patrick Pearson, Michael Elphick, Joe Melia

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Pearson	...	Sergeant Steven Flowers
Michael Elphick	...	Sergeant Major Reg Drummond
Joe Melia	...	Sergeant Len Bonny
John Standing	...	Captain Sholto Savory
Nicola Pagett	...	Acting Lieutenant Sylvia Morgan
Simon Jones	...	Sergeant Eric Young-Love
David Bamber	...	Sergeant Charles Bishop
Bruce Payne	...	Flight Sergeant Kevin Cartwright
Robin Langford	...	Electrician
Denis Quilley	...	Acting Captain Terri Dennis
Neil Pearson	...	Pianist
Steve Dixon	...	Drummer
Jasper Jacob	...	Bass Player
Leonard Preston	...	Trombonist
Peter Hutchinson	...	Trumpet Player

Storyline

The members of SADUSEA (Song And Dance Unit South East Asia) fall in and out of love while trying to dodge Malayan Communist bullets in the late 1940s. Not only that, they have to contend with a loony, bible bashing Major who creates far more danger than any of the jungle inhabitants. Only gay captain Dennis Quilley seems capable of coping with him but even he isn't aware of the cowardly Michael Elphick selling arms to the natives.

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Plot Keywords:

homosexuality | army | gay soldier | drag | southeast asia | 

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Taglines:

Malaysia, 1947. Some fought. Some danced.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1983 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Fronten é Python

Filming Locations:

Malaya

Company Credits

Production Co:

HandMade Films, Paragon Entertainment Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Ooh La La"
(uncredited)
Music by Sidney Torch
Chappell Recorded Music Library

User Reviews

Darkly comic nightmare musical vision of war (sounds hard to describe, doesn't it?)

The nightmare of war is made blazingly sharp and absurd by the notion of this film: place a (largely gay) contingent of army personnel in the middle of jungle on a covert mission (of which they know nothing). This is what befalls the hapless members of SADUSEA -- Song And Dance Unit: SouthEast Asia -- when they are dispatched from their relatively safe position onto a jungle trails tour to entertain the troops. Actually, they are on a secret resupply mission.

But that doesn't happen until halfway through the movie. First we see their day to day travails rehearsing a new show. We also see various relationships unfold, particularly the fateful one between a Eurasian "brown velvet" woman and a shifty sergeant.

Along the way there are some brilliantly daffy musical numbers (also a couple that are quite touching), and John Cleese as a blithely clueess commanding officer whose stiff upper lip may be caused by water on the brain.

And all the while, the Malay servants are spies.

This movie is marvelously funny, but as the tale unfolds the laughter curdles on your lips. It's veddy British, which might make it weirder than it's intended to be for some -- but it richly rewards and soundly deserves repeated viewings.