The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982)

The film of an on-stage charity benefit for Amnesty International. The show includes comedy skits by the members of Monty Python, as well as noted comedians Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, and ... See full summary »

Directors:

Roger Graef, Julien Temple

Writer:

Terence Dackombe (contributing writer)

Stars:

Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Beck, Alan Bennett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rowan Atkinson	...	Self / Various Roles
Jeff Beck	...	Self
Alan Bennett	...	Self / Various Roles
John Bird	...	Self / Various Roles
Tim Brooke-Taylor	...	Self / Various Characters
Graham Chapman	...	Self / Various Roles
Eric Clapton	...	Self
John Cleese	...	Self / Various Roles
Phil Collins	...	Self
Billy Connolly	...	Self
Donovan	...	Self
Johnnie Fingers	...	Self (as Johnny Fingers)
John Fortune	...	Self / Various Roles
Bob Geldof	...	Self
Chris Langham	...	Self / Various Roles

Storyline

The film of an on-stage charity benefit for Amnesty International. The show includes comedy skits by the members of Monty Python, as well as noted comedians Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, and others. The show also includes musical numbers by Eric Clapton, Sting, Donovan and Bob Geldof.

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Plot Keywords:

absurd comedy | charity benefit | musical number | comedian | amnesty international | 

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Taglines:

At Last the Truth Can Be Told - The Other Ball is Bigger

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Genres:

Comedy | Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was released in the same 1982 year as another comedy concert film, Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982). Common cast and crew who worked on both concert movies included John Cleese, Michael Palin, Neil Innes, Graham Chapman and Tim Brooke-Taylor.

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Quotes

The Crazy Interviewer: Good evening. Tonight, we're taking a look at Beekeeping, and here to tell us all about it, we have in the studio a man who's been keeping bees for over forty years. Mr. Reginald Prawnbaum. Good evening, Mr. Prawnbaum.
Reginald Prawnbaum: Good evening.
The Crazy Interviewer: Tell me. What first interested you in the bee world, Mr. Prawnbaum?
Reginald Prawnbaum: Well, um, even as a child, I used to...
The Crazy Interviewer: Ssshh.
Reginald Prawnbaum: I'm sorry, shouldn't I have said that?
The Crazy Interviewer: No, of course you should have. Pay no attention, please. When I say "Ssshh", it's just a nervous mannerism I've picked...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the version that has segments from the first and second shows, Michael Palin interrupts the credits to sell various "Secret Policeman's" products to the viewer (profits going to Amnesty International).

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Alternate Versions

The Australian DVD release version does not feature the John Cleese and Pamela Stephenson skit sketch segment.

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Connections

Follows The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979)

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Soundtracks

'Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Written by Stevie Wonder (uncredited)
Performed by Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck

User Reviews

Worth this song alone

Neil Innes singing his song "How sweet to be an idiot".

This is a totally cool film, but this innocent/crazy song was so memorable.

The comedic side-act are off the wall.

I loved the two dudes holding their arms in the air and running back and forth past each other, as if they were trapeze artists, while singing a classic circus tune.

But for Neil alone this is one to see.

This was an early work of the philanthropic Bob Geldof too.

This is a filer sentence, to pass inspection. I have said what I wanted to.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1982 (Australia)

Also Known As:

O horos tou xefonimenou mystikou batsou

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amnesty International

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1