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IMDbPro

The Boy Friend

  • 19711971
  • GG
  • 2h 17m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
Twiggy in The Boy Friend (1971)
When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place, becoming a star and finding love in the process.
Play trailer2:50
1 Video
91 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Musical
  • Romance
When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place, becoming a star and finding love in the p... Read allWhen the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place, becoming a star and finding love in the process.When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place, becoming a star and finding love in the process.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ken Russell
  • Writers
    • Ken Russell(screenplay)
    • Sandy Wilson(based on the musical play by)
  • Stars
    • Twiggy
    • Christopher Gable
    • Max Adrian
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ken Russell
  • Writers
    • Ken Russell(screenplay)
    • Sandy Wilson(based on the musical play by)
  • Stars
    • Twiggy
    • Christopher Gable
    • Max Adrian
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:50
    Trailer

    Photos91

    Twiggy in The Boy Friend (1971)
    Grande Movie Poster, 47" x 63"
    Twiggy in The Boy Friend (1971)
    Christopher Gable and Twiggy in The Boy Friend (1971)
    Max Adrian in The Boy Friend (1971)
    Twiggy in The Boy Friend (1971)
    Peter Greenwell in The Boy Friend (1971)
    The Boy Friend (1971)
    Antonia Ellis in The Boy Friend (1971)
    Murray Melvin in The Boy Friend (1971)
    The Boy Friend (1971)
    Sally Bryant in The Boy Friend (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Twiggy
    Twiggy
    • Pollyas Polly
    Christopher Gable
    Christopher Gable
    • Tonyas Tony
    Max Adrian
    Max Adrian
    • Maxas Max
    Bryan Pringle
    Bryan Pringle
    • Percyas Percy
    Murray Melvin
    Murray Melvin
    • Alphonseas Alphonse
    Moyra Fraser
    Moyra Fraser
    • Mme. Dubonnetas Mme. Dubonnet
    Georgina Hale
    Georgina Hale
    • Fayas Fay
    Sally Bryant
    • Nancyas Nancy
    Vladek Sheybal
    Vladek Sheybal
    • De Thrillas De Thrill
    Tommy Tune
    Tommy Tune
    • Tommyas Tommy
    Brian Murphy
    Brian Murphy
    • Peteras Peter
    Graham Armitage
    Graham Armitage
    • Michaelas Michael
    Antonia Ellis
    Antonia Ellis
    • Maisieas Maisie
    Caryl Little
    • Dulcieas Dulcie
    Anne Jameson
    • Mrs. Peteras Mrs. Peter
    • (as Ann Jameson)
    Catherine Willmer
    Catherine Willmer
    • Catherineas Catherine
    Robert La Bassiere
    • Chauffeuras Chauffeur
    • (as Robert La'Bassiere)
    Barbara Windsor
    Barbara Windsor
    • Hortenseas Hortense
    • Director
      • Ken Russell
    • Writers
      • Ken Russell(screenplay)
      • Sandy Wilson(based on the musical play by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Though much more lighthearted than most of his films, according to Ken Russell, this was the most difficult film he ever made.
    • Quotes

      Rita Monroe: Now go out there and be so great that you'll make me hate you!

    • Crazy credits
      Ken Russell's Talking Picture
    • Alternate versions
      CBS edited 38 minutes from this film for its 1975 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in Omnibus: Russell's Progress (1971)
    • Soundtracks
      Main Titles (Overture)
      Music by Sandy Wilson

    User reviews62

    Review
    Top review
    Fantastic!!!!!!
    9 out of 10

    Excellent musical that should be the basis for all other musicals. Seamless, flawless, and visually stunning. A wide variety of backdrops and settings are used. There is everything from the conventional dance line to a fairy tale setting where the performers are dressed like ladybugs and living in giant mushrooms. There is also a fun take off on Greek mythology done in a scenic forest setting.

    By far the two best segments take place with them dancing on a giant record player and another with them made to look like characters on a giant playing card. The giant record player one as got to be the most impressive because they show them on not one, but two giant record players, side by side and from overhead. The dancers than dance on top of the giant turntables and , as a group, make unique symmetrical designs with their bodies. It's like a old Busby Berkley number and yet almost out does even him.

    This is a rare film that can carry itself on visual level alone. The story is at best just a standard musical plot. It involves a group of underpaid actors who put on a tacky low budget musical for a small group of people. The film than interweaves between the low budget numbers, which are all still really good, and their visual fantasies of what things would look like if they had a big budget. Twiggy plays the shy awkward crew hand that comes on as the star when the leading lady breaks her leg.

    Sure it is, at times, predictable, corny, and lightweight yet it also has a really good sense of humor. The songs ALL have a good score and the dances are certainly fun to watch. Twiggy may never score as a great actress, but she hits the mark here. She has a cute bob haircut and a constantly perplexed expression that is really amusing. All the other characters have amusing idiosyncracies also. Jackson is fun, of course, as the injured leading lady who comes back and is none too happy to see how successful her replacement is.

    Some of director Russell's films have been considered excessive and nonsensical. Yet that is not the case here. His visual flair and indulgence really work. This guy has talent. He use of primary colors in every shot is nice.

    This is truly a visual delight that is impressive even by todays standards. This is a really fun to watch.
    helpful•27
    3
    • rwint
    • Nov 29, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 24, 1971 (Australia)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • The Boyfriend
    • Filming locations
      • Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Russflix
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $750,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 17 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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