IMDb > A Private Function (1984)

A Private Function (1984) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   1,035 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Down 24% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Malcolm Mowbray

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:

Comedy more

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:

A very good, typical British comedy 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:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Company:

HandMade Films more


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: In Westminster Abbey tomorrow morning, a young couple are getting married of a purity and a nobility scum like you just can't comprehend. more

Movie Connections:

References "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969) more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
A very good, typical British comedy, 19 July 2005
8/10
Author: Philip Van der Veken from Tessenderlo, Belgium

This movie already had everything to please me before I even started watching it. Knowing that this was a British comedy, was already enough for me to decide that I wanted to see it, but that it was situated in the first post-WWII years, only made it even more interesting for me. I'm very interested in that time period, but in my opinion there aren't enough good movies about it. However, it's not because I think that I'll like a movie, that I'll automatically give it a good rating. I still need to watch it first.

"A Private Function" is situated in a small town in England in 1947. Even though the war is over for about two years, there still is a rationing of meat and more in particular of pork. The butchers and farmers are severely controlled in order to prevent the start of a black market, but the rules aren't always obeyed. When Princess Elizabeth is going to marry, a local group of businessmen and notables are organizing a party to impress the local government. They have a pig illegally raised and want to slaughter it for the event. But just before the party, the pig is stolen by Gilbert Chilvers on the instigation of his wife and his mother-in-law, who can't live with the idea that they no longer belong to the notables of the community and therefore can't get more meat...

If you like the typical British humor, than this is definitely a movie you shouldn't miss. Especially when they keep the pig in their own house, you can be sure of some hilarious scenes. One reviewer said that you shouldn't watch it when you don't like toilet humor. I'm afraid I can't follow him in that opinion. I don't like that kind of humor at all, but it never was shown in this movie either. It's just insinuated and that's why I could live with it without any problem. Another good reason why you should give this movie a try is the acting. Michael Palin is excellent as the somewhat quiet, but lovable husband who does everything his wife - Maggie Smith plays that role really very well - wants him to do. But the other actors, even though most of them aren't very famous, are very good and interesting to watch.

All in all this is a comedy that deserves a lot more attention than what it has received so far. I really enjoyed watching it and regularly had a good laugh. What more can you possibly want from a comedy? A good story and some fine acting? They are all in it as well and that's why I give this movie a 7.5/10.

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Message Boards

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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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