Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974)

Barry McKenzie's Aunt Edna is kidnapped by Count Von Plasma, the vampire head of an isolated Eastern European dictatorship who mistakes her for the Queen of England and thinks that ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Barry Humphries (original photoplay), Bruce Beresford (written in collaboration with)

Stars:

Barry Crocker, Barry Humphries, Donald Pleasence

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barry Crocker	...	Barry McKenzie / Rev. Kevin McKenzie
Barry Humphries	...	Aunt Edna Everage / Dr. Meyer Delamphrey / Offensive Buck-toothed Englishman / Senator Douglas Manton
Donald Pleasence	...	Erich Count von Plasma
Ed Devereaux	...	Sir Alec Ferguson
Dick Bentley	...	Colin 'The Frog' Lucas
Louis Negin	...	Hugo Cretin
Clive James	...	Paddy
Brian Tapply	...	Sir Nigel Stewart
Paul Humpoletz	...	Modeste Imbecile
Beatrice Aston	...	Cherylene McKenzie
Robert Gillespie	...	Dorothy
Mike Newman	...	Foureyes Fenton (as Michael Newman)
Merdelle Jordine	...	Rhonda Cutforth-Jones
Don Spencer	...	Quizmaster
Andrew Lodge	...	Scrotum Baker

Storyline

Barry McKenzie's Aunt Edna is kidnapped by Count Von Plasma, the vampire head of an isolated Eastern European dictatorship who mistakes her for the Queen of England and thinks that kidnapping her will draw tourists to his country. Barry and his mates set out to rescue her and bring her back to Australia.

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Plot Keywords:

written by star | gay slur | damsel in distress | race against time | racism | 

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Taglines:

This is a XXXX Brilliant Film - Sir Les Patterson, Australian Minister of Culture [UK Video]

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Genres:

Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

In Australia, the film was never released on home video (VHS or Betamax). It wasn't until June 2003, when it released on DVD, that Australians had the film on the home entertainment market.

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Quotes

Hugo Cretin: How would you like your steak, sir?
Barry McKenzie: Just knock off its horns, wipe its arse and bung it on a plate.

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Crazy Credits

Filmed at VAST expense in Sydney, Australia, and on location in England, France and Transylvania

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Connections

Referenced in Welcome to Woop Woop (1997)

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Soundtracks

Botany Bay
(traditional)
Instrumental version when Barry is in gaol
Sung at the Australian embassy

User Reviews

Antipodean Epic

If you ever get the chance to see this masterpiece of Australian culture, you will see what a great film this is.

The plot consists of Dame Edna being mistaken for the Queen by Count Erich Von Plasma, a transylvanian vampire and head of a Stalinist state which has no tourist industry. He hopes by kidnapping the queen he will be able to attract tourists.

Edna's nephew Barry and his chums (including a permanently intoxicated Clive James) have to travel into darkest Transylvania (on Vamp-Air) to rescue her. Once Plasma discovers she is Dame Edna and that Norm of Melbourne is not a codename for Prince Phillip, he puts her onto his patent vampometer and is rapidly building up his collection of Chateau Everage.

In the course of this film there are numerous sight gags and sub plots most of which are either racist, sexist or both. The French and the Poms are the main targets, although a scene involving a van loan of illegal immigrants and a DHSS office would not be tolerated if it were filmed today.

Throughout the film, which will make you proud to be an Australian, cans of Fosters are opened with monotonous regularity and Advance Australia Fair is played everytime Barry thinks about his beloved homeland.

This film is funny and different to anything else I've seen and as such is very difficult to describe. All I can say is whatever you do, try and see it.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1974 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Bazza Holds His Own

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

AUD240,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Reg Grundy Productions Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1