IMDb > A Private Function (1984)

A Private Function (1984) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   1,039 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Alan Bennett (story) &
Malcolm Mowbray (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for A Private Function on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 March 1985 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
1947 in a small town in England. The war has been won two years ago, but there's still rationing of meat... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely hilarious more (18 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Michael Palin ... Gilbert Chilvers

Maggie Smith ... Joyce Chilvers
Denholm Elliott ... Dr. Charles Swaby
Richard Griffiths ... Henry Allardyce the Accountant
Tony Haygarth ... Leonard Sutcliff the Farmer
John Normington ... Frank Lockwood the Solicitor
Bill Paterson ... Morris Wormold the Meat Inspector
Liz Smith ... Joyce's Mother
Alison Steadman ... Mrs. Allardyce
Jim Carter ... Inspector Noble

Pete Postlethwaite ... Douglas J. Nuttol the Butcher
Eileen O'Brien ... Mrs. Sutcliff
Rachel Davies ... Mrs. Forbes, Wormold's Landlady
Reece Dinsdale ... P.C. Penny
Philip Whileman ... Preston Sutcliff (as Philip Wileman)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
94 min | USA:93 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The German title of the movie is 'Magere Zeiten', which translates roughly as 'Lean Times' (or 'Hard Times'): the film is set during a period when food was heavily rationed in the United Kingdom. more
Quotes:
Dr. Charles Swaby: Now, under this National Health Service, any poorly little pillock can come into my surgery and say "I'm ill! Treat me!" Honestly, sometimes I wonder what the last war was FOR. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in What the Pythons Did Next... (2007) (TV) more

FAQ

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11 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely hilarious, 2 March 1999
Author: anonymous from Austin, Texas

This is one of those very droll, and sometimes bizarre British comedies that is absurdly funny. The plot centers around a couple in the days right before Elizabeth II's coronation and the machinations of a social climbing Maggie Smith who equates pork with prestige. She manages to get her henpecked husband (Michael Palin) to kidnap a pig, and well the rest just needs to be experienced. I thought the movie was hilarious, but I have known others who found it just plain ridiculous. Those who disapprove of bathroom humor need not see this one.

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more (18 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Private Function (1984)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
No pig! No pig! cgd3207
She's 74 SissyGoforth
Brilliantly done... HarrietZ
Harrison voice cameo! rickmojo
Unique credit uisliu
Depressing but good Kissmyface
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Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
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