Grand Slam (1978) (TV)

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Director:

John Hefin

Writer:

Gwenlyn Parry (writer)

Release Date:

February 1978 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Sport

Plot:

A group of Welsh rugby fans descend on Paris for the final game of the season.

Plot Keywords:

Rugby | Old Flame | France | Six Nations | Television

Cast

Windsor Davies	...	Mog Jones
Hugh Griffith	...	Caradog Lloyd-Evans
Dewi Morris	...	Glyn Lloyd-Evans
Sion Probert	...	Maldwyn Pugh
Sharon Morgan	...	Odette
Marika Rivera	...	Madame
Dillwyn Owen	...	Will Posh
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lowri Buckingham	...	Chambermaid
Alan Chuntz	...	Charles Aznavour
Marie Claire	...	Air Hostess
John Hefin	...	Pissoir Patron
Kim Karlisle	...	Stripper
Elizabeth Morgan	...	French Concierge

Runtime:

UK:62 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Welsh | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (1987 video)

Company:

BBC Wales

Trivia:

The film was first shown on 17 March 1978, with filming taking place a year earlier. The dialogue in the film was heavily ad-libbed by the cast around a rough outline by the writer and director. The ending was originally planned with Wales winning. When they lost the game the ending was hastily revised, with additional dialogue pick-up shots in the stands of the Cardiff Arms Park. The filming took place in the following order: The village streets (hearse); Training Plane (Rhoose Airport); Paris exteriors; All Paris interiors (BBC Club, Newport Road, Cardiff) The original 1977 members of the Welsh and French RFC teams can be seen in this film on the filed and off, including Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Phil Bennett and others.

Quotes:

Maldwyn Pugh: [Mog starts a mock striptease. Maldwyn claps his hands in excitement] Oooh! Go the whool hog, Mog!

I'll 'ave you in ashes I will !

It doesn't matter whether you are Welsh or not or whether you love rugby, good comedy is always funny. This film has a lovely down to earth feel that all will appreciate.

If you are Welsh then you'll appreciate the humour and it will feel very familiar even if you don't love rugby. If you do love rugby then it's even more enjoyable.

If you are not Welsh then the comedy, story and charisma of the main stars will entertain you anyway.

Windsor Davies and Oscar winning Hugh Griffith are my favourites but my wife loves camp Boutique owner "Maldwyn" played by Sion Probert.

It's only an hour long but manages to pack in comedy, violence, sex, sport and camaraderie.

In a year that Wales won a fantastic Grandslam (2005) what more can you ask for from a motion picture?