Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Director:

Mike Newell

Writer:

Richard Curtis (written by)

Release Date:

9 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

He's quite engaging. She's otherwise engaged.

Plot:

Comedy-drama about a group of British friends... the title says the rest.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Wedding | Funeral | Scotland | Reception

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 14 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Dec. 18

10:00 PM

TCM

Cast

Hugh Grant	...	Charles
James Fleet	...	Tom
Simon Callow	...	Gareth
John Hannah	...	Matthew
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Fiona
David Bower	...	David
Charlotte Coleman	...	Scarlett
Andie MacDowell	...	Carrie
Timothy Walker	...	Angus the Groom - Wedding One
Sara Crowe	...	Laura the Bride - Wedding One
Ronald Herdman	...	Vicar - Wedding One
Elspet Gray	...	Laura's Mother - Wedding One
Philip Voss	...	Laura's Father - Wedding One
Rupert Vansittart	...	George the Boor at The Boatman - Wedding One
Nicola Walker	...	Frightful Folk Duo - Wedding One
Paul Stacey	...	Frightful Folk Duo - Wedding One
Simon Kunz	...	John with the Unfaithful Wife - Wedding One
Rowan Atkinson	...	Father Gerald - Wedding Two
Robin McCaffrey	...	Serena - Wedding One
Michael Mears	...	The Boatman Waiter - Wedding One
Kenneth Griffith	...	Mad Old Man - Wedding One (as Kenneth Griffiths)
David Haig	...	Bernard the Groom - Wedding Two
Sophie Thompson	...	Lydia the Bride - Wedding Two
Corin Redgrave	...	Hamish - Wedding Two
Donald Weedon	...	Master of Ceremonies - Wedding Two
Nigel Hastings	...	Tea-Tasting Alistair - Wedding Two
Emily Morgan	...	Vomiting Veronica - Wedding Two
Amanda Mealing	...	Naughty Nicki - Wedding Two
Melissa Knatchbull	...	Mocking Martha - Wedding Two
Polly Kemp	...	Miss Piggy - Wedding Two
Anna Chancellor	...	Henrietta - Wedding Two
Hannah Taylor-Gordon	...	Young Bridesmaid - Wedding Two (as Hannah Taylor Gordon)
Bernice Stegers	...	Shop Assistant - Wedding Two
Robert Lang	...	Lord Hibbott - Wedding Two
Jeremy Kemp	...	Sir John Delaney - Wedding Two
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Mrs. Beaumont - Wedding Two
Ken Drury	...	Vicar - Wedding Three
Struan Rodger	...	Best Man - Wedding Three
Lucy Hornak	...	Married Woman - Wedding Three
Randall Paul	...	Chester - Wedding Three
Pat Starr	...	Gareth's Dance Partner - Wedding Three
Tim Thomas	...	Doctor - Wedding Three
Neville Phillips	...	Vicar - Funeral
Susanna Hamnett	...	Deirdre - Wedding Four
John Abbott	...	Polite Verger - Wedding Four
Richard Butler	...	Vicar - Wedding Four
David Wright	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Ray Uren	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Gordon Blackwell	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Ron Griffiths	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Richard Allen	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Mark James	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Jason Bruer	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Simon Wallace	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Jason McDermid	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Bryn Burrows	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Paulette Ivory	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christine Hewett	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Juliette James	...	Bride's Mother (uncredited)
Duncan Kenworthy	...	Matthew's Gorgeous New Boyfriend (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Newell

Writing credits
Richard Curtis		(written by)

Produced by
Tim Bevan	....	executive producer
Richard Curtis	....	co-executive producer
Eric Fellner	....	executive producer
Duncan Kenworthy	....	producer

Original Music by
Richard Rodney Bennett

Cinematography by
Michael Coulter

Film Editing by
Jon Gregory

Casting by
Michelle Guish

Production Design by
Maggie Gray

Set Decoration by
Anna Pinnock

Costume Design by
Lindy Hemming

Makeup Department
Ann Buchanan	....	chief hair designer
Ann Buchanan	....	chief makeup artist
Francesca Crowder	....	hair stylist
Julia Fetterman	....	hair production assistant
Julia Fetterman	....	makeup production assistant
Melissa Lackersteen	....	assistant hair stylist
Melissa Lackersteen	....	assistant makeup artist
Tracey Lee	....	assistant hair stylist
Tracey Lee	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Mary Richards	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Oscar Beuselinck	....	third assistant director
Peter Freeman	....	co-second assistant director
Kieron Phipps	....	first assistant director
Trevor Puckle	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Dave Allen	....	construction
Paul Cheesman	....	dressing props
Ken Hawkey	....	stand-by painter
Charles Ixer	....	storeman (as Charlie Ixer)
Gary Ixer	....	stand-by propman
Simon J. Lycett	....	flowers
Brian Mitchell	....	stand-by stagehand
Con Murphy	....	stand-by rigger
Philip Robinson	....	assistant art director (as Phil Robinson)
Peter Wallis	....	dressing props
Tommy Westbrook	....	stand-by carpenter
Barry Wilkinson	....	property master
Jamie Wilkinson	....	dressing props
Simon Wilkinson	....	chargehand stand-by propman

Sound Department
Sue Baker	....	supervising sound editor
Gerry Bates	....	sound maintenance
Mick Boggis	....	assistant dubbing mixer
Nick Flowers	....	boom operator
Andrew Glen	....	foley editor
Diane Greaves	....	foley artist (as Dianne Greaves)
Derek Lomas	....	assistant sound editor
Peter Maxwell	....	dubbing mixer
Sarah Rains	....	assistant dialogue editor
Colin Ritchie	....	dialogue editor
Jupiter Sen	....	second dialogue editor
David Stephenson	....	production sound mixer
Jack Stew	....	foley artist

Special Effects by
Ian Wingrove	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
Peter Tyler	....	motion control camera

Stunts
Clive Curtis	....	stunt driver
Wendy Leech	....	stunt driver (as Wendy Leach)
Wayne Michaels	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Broome	....	camera grip
Vince Clarke	....	rigging gaffer
Jim Coward	....	generator operator (as Jimmy Coward)
Terry Edland	....	gaffer
Simon Finney	....	second assistant camera
Darren Gatrell	....	electrician (as Darren Gattrell)
Jeremy Gee	....	second camera operator
Peter Howard	....	camera trainee
Paul Kemp	....	electrician
Wayne Leach	....	best boy
Mark Milsome	....	clapper loader
Stephen Morley	....	still photographer
Chris Plevin	....	focus puller
Philip Sindall	....	camera operator
Malcolm Smith	....	second camera grip

Casting Department
Sarah Beardsall	....	casting assistant
David Rubin	....	casting: USA
Louis Elman	....	adr voice casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Nigel Egerton	....	wardrobe assistant
Odilon Rocha	....	wardrobe runner
Debbie Scott	....	assistant to costume designer
John Scott	....	wardrobe supervisor
Allison Wyldeck	....	wardrobe assistant (as Alison Wyldeck)
Dan Grace	....	additional wardrobe assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Valentina Giambanco	....	second assistant editor
Ian Macbeth	....	editing jobfit
Ian Seymour	....	first assistant editor

Music Department
Dick Lewzey	....	score mixer
Dick Lewzey	....	score recordist
John Lunn	....	music researcher
Neil Richardson	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Mike Beaven	....	unit driver
Jed Bray	....	unit driver
David Carr	....	driver: mini-bus
Roy Clarke	....	unit driver
Ted Debrera	....	stand-by construction driver
Nick Heather	....	wardrobe bus driver
Tom Innes	....	stand-by property driver
Dave Jones	....	driver: trailers
Tony Marshall	....	driver: mini-bus
Enyo Mortty	....	unit driver (as Enyonam Mortty)
Martin O'Connor	....	driver: grip truck
John Ott	....	driver: camera truck
John Squires	....	driver: make-up/hair bus
Terry Stinson	....	driver: props runaround
Ian Clarke	....	vehicle technician (uncredited)
Stanley Sirkin	....	unit driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Chris Allies	....	title designer
Rosie Bedford-Stradling	....	unit nurse
Diane Christian	....	assistant accountant
Wendy Dade	....	assistant: Mr. Kenworthy
Justin Davies	....	production runner
Patsy de Lord	....	production coordinator
Juliette Dow	....	assistant to executive producers: Working Title
Wendy Ebsworth	....	consultant: sign-language
Leah Foley	....	stand-in
Jane Frazer	....	production executive: Working Title
Emma Freud	....	script editor
Vikki Gee-Dare	....	consultant: sign-language (as Vicki Gee Dare)
Marilyn Goldsworthy	....	cashier
Clare Greenwood	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Deborah Harding	....	production executive: Working Title
Debra Hayward	....	head of development: Working Title
Natasha Hudson	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Christian James	....	floor runner
Michael Kuhn	....	big cheese
Charlotte Laughton	....	assistant: Mr. Curtis
John Locke	....	stand-in
Andy Mayson	....	financial controller: Working Title
Christian McWilliams	....	assistant location manager
Angela Morrison	....	legal and business affairs: Working Title
Kevin O'Shea	....	insurance
Steve Pasmore	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Ruby Rawlins	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Steve Ricard	....	stand-in (as Steven Ricards)
Elaine Robertson	....	publicist
Julie Robinson	....	script supervisor
Kay Robinson	....	assistant: Mr. Kenworthy
Amber Rudd	....	aristocracy coordinator
George Schembri	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Paul Shersby	....	location manager
Caroline Southey	....	legal and business affairs: Working Title
Jon Symonds	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Michele Tandy	....	production accountant
Natascha Wharton	....	assistant to executive producers: Working Title
Steven M. Smith	....	runner (uncredited)

Thanks
Clive Banks	....	thanks
Claire Christie	....	thanks (as Clare Christie)
John Fishlock	....	thanks
Toni Gard	....	thanks: assistance with Ms. MacDowell's wardrobe
Alison O'Brien	....	thanks
John Reid	....	thanks
Kathryn Smith	....	thanks
Stewart Till	....	thanks
Mark Wolfe	....	thanks

Production Companies

• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (presents)
• Channel Four Films (presents)
• Working Title Films

Distributors

• Gramercy Pictures (I) (1994) (USA) (theatrical)
• Pan Européenne Distribution (1994) (France) (theatrical)
• REP Distribution (1994) (Australia) (theatrical)
• J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (1994) (UK) (theatrical)
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Distribution (1994) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Prooptiki (199?) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Ufilms (1994) (Spain) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1996) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (199?) (Australia) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (199?) (UK) (VHS)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Distribution Company (video)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (199?) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (1994) (UK) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (199?) (UK) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• PolyGram Video (199?) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Prooptiki Video (Greece) (VHS)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (199?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Vídeo Arte (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Angels & Bermans  costumiers
• Busters on Location  catering
• Capital FX, London  subtitling
• Capital FX, London  titles and opticals
• D&D Transport  location transport
• De Lane Lea Sound Centre  post-production facilities
• De Lane Lea Sound Centre  sound recording
• Dennis Davidson & Associates Public Releations (DDA)  public relations consulting
• Hills of Hersham  crowd coaches/crew minibuses
• International Film Guarantors  completion guaranty
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment
• Location Facilities  location transport
• London Records  soundtrack
• Louis Vuitton  thanks
• Movietech  camera equipment provided by
• RHH/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Shepperton Studios  movie studio
• Tru-Cut  negative cutting

MPAA:

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | British Sign Language

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Iceland:L | Brazil:14 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (original rating) (cut) | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 (TV rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-10 | Germany:6 | Norway:10 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | France:U | Portugal:M/12 (original rating) | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Albury Park, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

Kristin Scott Thomas and Hugh Grant also starred together in Bitter Moon (1992). In both films, Thomas' character's name was Fiona.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: At the second wedding, Charles and Scarlet are depicted as sprinting to the church from their house. They live in Highbury and the church in the EC2 area of London - a distance of almost three miles which - whilst not impossible - is improbable.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Charles: [wakes up and looks at his bedside clock] Oh... *fuck*! Fuck!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Billy Elliot': Breaking Free (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU

Quirky Characters Shine in Touching, Funny, Romantic Comedy

The lead character in this film, Charles, says at one point that, while his friends were busily obsessed with marriage, two members of their group were, for all intents and purposes, married to each other. In those days before Britain had a civil partnership law, he was referring to Gareth and Matthew, played by Simon Callow and John Hannah. "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was among the first major films to feature a gay couple without any comment, moralizing, or stereotyping. Considering all of the absurd controversy generated by "Brokeback Mountain," this English comedy may be considered subversive in some quarters, because it portrays the union between the two men to be as loving and enduring as any between the men and a women in the same film. The two gay men are among a circle of idiosyncratic friends that orbit around Charles, who suffers from relationship avoidance. Played engagingly by Hugh Grant, Charles attends the weddings of others, but manages to avoid any commitment of his own. One of the film's funniest scenes involves Charles at a wedding reception where he has been seated at a table with several of his ex-girlfriends. With that one scene, screenwriter Richard Curtis wittily fleshes out Charles's character as each woman remarks on her past experience. The episodic comedy is broken down literally into the five events of the title, and the core characters attend these events as spectators who each hope for a wedding of their own. Many of the lines and situations are extremely funny. Rowan Atkinson steals his brief time as a novice preacher who blesses a couple "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy goat." Although Hugh Grant plays Charles as, well, Hugh Grant, several other actors create some fine comic turns. The ravishing Kristin Scott Thomas is touching as the lonely Fiona, and her timing is impeccable when she recovers from an indelicate question with a snappy comeback. Of course, why anyone as beautiful as Kristin Scott Thomas should be unwillingly single is a minor casting flaw in the film. Unfortunately, Andie MacDowell plays the American, Carrie, and, although she looks great in a hat, she fails to generate the necessary charisma to convincingly be Charles's object of desire. However, the low wattage generated by the two leads does little to dampen the hilarity or the pathos of this excellent film. While, at nearly two hours, the movie is long for a comedy, the structure and quirky characters easily sustain interest throughout. With "Four Weddings and a Funeral," director Mike Newell has made one of the best romantic comedies, and the film holds up to repeated viewings.