A Cock and Bull Story (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Michael Winterbottom

Writers:

Laurence Sterne (novel)
Frank Cottrell Boyce (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 January 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Because everyone loves an accurate period piece.

Plot:

Director Michael Winterbottom (Northam) attempts to shoot the adaptation of Laurence Sterne's essentially unfilmable novel, "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."

Plot Keywords:

Split Screen | Interview | Baby | Teeth | Midwife

Awards:

2 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Steve Coogan	...	Tristram Shandy / Walter Shandy / Steve Coogan
Rob Brydon	...	Capt. Toby Shandy / Rob Brydon
Keeley Hawes	...	Elizabeth
Shirley Henderson	...	Susannah
Raymond Waring	...	Trim
Conal Murphy	...	Young Tristram Shandy - Age 6
Joe Williams	...	Young Tristram Shandy - Age 9
Paul Kynman	...	Obadiah
Mark Tandy	...	London Doctor
Mary Healey	...	Midwife
Dylan Moran	...	Dr. Slop
Jack Shepherd	...	Surgeon
David Walliams	...	Parson
Jeremy Northam	...	Mark
Benedict Wong	...	Ed

Also Known As:

Tristram Shandy (UK) (working title)
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexual content.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Ireland:15A | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | Sweden:Btl | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:M18 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Blickling Hall, Blickling, Norfolk, England, UK

Company:

BBC Films

Trivia:

Cameo: [Tony Wilson]The real Tony Wilson (who Steve Coogan played in 24 Hour Party People (2002), another Michael Winterbottom film) plays himself, interviewing Steve Coogan on the film set. The somewhat spiky relationship between the two (who also worked together on local TV in the early 1990s) is subtly referenced in Coogan's lukewarm "let's catch up in Manchester".

Quotes:

Walter Shandy: Tristram? My son has been cursed from the moment of his conception.

Movie Connections:

References The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)

Soundtrack:

Lilliburlero

could it have been done any better? probably not

In trying to film a movie based on the novel Tristam Shandy, it is explained that this book is utterly unfilmable. modestly rather, they show the actual process of trying to make this movie while discussing the parts of the book that displayed meaning so they can decide what scenes will be added/cut in the movie. Cleverly enough, this entire process serves as a metaphor for the actual book and the digressive nature of it. Maybe not the most interesting topic to watch, but it is done well enough for you to be curious as to how everything is resolved. If you don't get the metaphor, you will not like the movie. If you do, you might be as delighted as ever that something quite unique has just been viewed.

didn't i just sound ridiculous?