Sir Norbert Smith, a Life (1989 TV Movie) User Reviews

What a life!

[paul2001sw-1 · 9/10 · 26 May 2003]

Harry Enfield came to fame with his long running characters Stavros and Loadsofmoney on British TV's copy of Saturday Night Live. Subsequently, his own sketch show (with a host of new characters) ran successfully for many seasons. But in between he made this brilliant spoof documentary, about the life of the "legendary British actor", Sir Norbert Smith.

In just an hour, Enfield mercilessly parodies every genre of the much -maligned British film industry (my personal favourite being his take on the dour realist films of the early 60s, with the northern father asking his family: "When's that baby going to grow up and get himself a proper job?"). But it's all great stuff. In between the cod clips, he meanwhile paints a touching (and even more hilarious) portrait of senility. Perfectly judging the line between the sublime and ridiculous, "Norbert Smith" is a wonderful creation. This material could have run and run: instead, it ended where it started (though some of Enfield's later creations were clearly developed from ideas first tried here). A masterclass of comic creativity.

Impish send-up of British films AND entertainment documentaries

[luannjim · 9/10 · 15 August 2005]

NORBERT SMITH, A LIFE is an absolutely priceless send-up not only of British films over the years, but of the worshipful documentaries that cable and public TV companies crank out from time to time. (Using Melvyn Bragg as the narrator, doing exactly the kind of thing he was doing at the time on "The South Bank Show," was an inspiration, and kudos to Lord Bragg for being a good sport.) The film parodies are all spot-on, but the scene from the World War II action flick (with Sir Norbert finding an excuse to guzzle a glass of wine in every single shot), and the identical scenes from each of Sir Norbert's composer biopics (BEETHOVEN, MAN OF MUSIC; LIZST, MAN OF MUSIC; ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, MAN OF MUSIC) are especially hilarious.

And by the way, chalk me up as another member of the I Used to Have This on Videotape But I Lost It Somehow Club. What I wouldn't give to find a copy to replace the one I had!

Excellent Parody

[jayb · 10/10 · 27 December 1999]

Highly recommended. The parodies are dead on accurate; the performances are first rate. (Favorite moment: when Lady Norbert interrupts Sir Norbert during the suitcase story.) Put together with great attention to detail. (Watch for the editing and continuity errors in the Richard Burton war film parody.) I only wish it were available on video. I had a copy once and lost it.

A hilarious parody of the British film industry

[Muchi · 10/10 · 9 July 1999]

Norbet Smith, A life is a wonderful fake documentary about a made-up British actor who reminisces about his distinguished career. Harry Enfield and Geoffrey Perkins have written the definitive send up of the British film industry focusing on the premiere films of the last 70 years. The parody starts with a perfect representation of Will Hay films then goes onto make fun of great institutions such as Olivier's Shakespeare's and even Carry on films. This is a masterpiece no British film fan should miss

When Harry Enfield was funny

[Tony-166 · 8/10 · 22 May 2005]

Thinking back to this now, it is hard to believe that Harry Enfield would go onto produce such low grade trash. This spoof documentary is an absolute piece of comic genius. Packed with loads of truly clever subtle jokes about the nature of the film, television and theatre world. Sir Norbert is a composite of a number of well known giants of the thespian world. They have lovingly spoofed some of the greatest films from a range of different film genres. If you are British you will have great fun working out just who and what the writers are referencing. Everything is done to perfection. The look and feel of each "film" is spot on. The best has to be the early 60's working-class-life film, "It's Grim Up North". Quote, "I'm going out to fly me whippets". I used to have this on tape too, but it's long gone and as far as I know has never been repeated. A great shame.

Best thing Harry Enfield has done

[bustopher · 10/10 · 12 November 2017]

"Norbert Smith, A Life" is a 1989 Mockumentary charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith. It stars Harry Enfield in the title role.

It was first transmitted on Channel-4 on 3 November 1989.

The programme was written by Harry Enfield and Geoffrey Perkins and superbly directed by Geoff Posner.

The show is an absolutely priceless send-up not only of British films over the years, but of the worshipful documentaries that cable and public TV companies crank out endlessly seemingly from a sausage factory.

Using Melvyn Bragg as the narrator, doing exactly the kind of thing he was doing at the time on The South Bank Show was an inspiration, and kudos to Lord Bragg for being a good sport to create this Mockumentary, which even sends hims up in a way.

The film parodies are all spot-on, but the scene from the World War II action flick with Sir Norbert finding an excuse to guzzle a glass of wine in every single shot, and the identical scenes from each of Sir Norbert's composer Bio-Pics (Beethoven, Man of Music, Lizst, Man of Music and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Man of Music were heavenly inspired.

There's a perfect representation of Will Hay films then they go on to cover staid institutions such as Olivier's Shakespeare and even Carry-On films.

Enfield is well supported by Renee Asherson playing the long- suffering Lady Norbert.

Moray Watson has spots as a recurring interviewee called Sir Donald Stuffy, whose recollections of the theatre seem much more interesting to him than us and he usually realises this himself when he gets to the end of his story.

Then there's the crass joke-cracker Dick Doty played by Mike Kelly. Stop me if you've seen this sort of character before.

This is a 3/4 hour masterpiece no British film fan, Harry Enfield devotee, Melvyn Bragg supporter or British Comedy aficionado should miss.

on dvd now,still great but too short.

[ib011f9545i · 8/10 · 15 November 2018]

I have to add my praise to others here who like this comedy. The more you know the British film industry history the more you will get out of the jokes.

It is out on dvd now so you can buy it if you want. But I was shocked that it was made so long ago and also shocked how short it is,it is only 47 minutes. Enfield did film parodies in his tv series,could some of these not been put on this disc? wrong production company I suppose.

''I'm off to fly me whippets!''

[Rabical-91 · 8/10 · 19 June 2018]

The end of the '80's saw Harry Enfield finally an established name thanks to his appearances on 'Saturday Live'. This one off comedy special - 'Norbert Smith - A Life' - was written by Enfield in collaboration with Geoffrey Perkins and was a mockumentary piece following the career of Norbert Smith, a 'luvvie' type film actor who in his twilight years lives in unhappy retirement following the decline of his successful film career.

Interviewing the doddery old ham is Melvyn Bragg whilst playing his wife is Renee Asherton. The British film industry is sent up something rotten, spoofs of films such as 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'Brief Encounter' are seen here, though the best item of all is a film segment entitled 'It's Grim Up North!', set in the run down Nothern areas of Yorkshire ( ''I'll take me bloody belt to you!'' ).

Seen alongside Enfield in the film spoofs are Josie Lawrence, Felicity Montagu, Susan Field, Joe McGann, Peter Goodwright and Moray Watson among others.

It was not outstanding but it was very funny, apart from a 'Carry On' spoof featuring Barbara Windsor leading a feminist protest outside Greenham Common, and it paved the way for Enfield's weekly comedy series which would soon make his name and fortune - 'Harry Enfield's Television Programme'.

'Norbert Smith - A Life' is not one of Enfield's best remembered efforts, which is a pity as it is far more deserving of an accolade than his most recent 'The Windsors'.