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The Chain

  • 19841984
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
357
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Chain (1984)
  • Comedy
Comedy featuring interweaving stories of seven households caught up in a property chain on moving day, each one dependent on the other.Comedy featuring interweaving stories of seven households caught up in a property chain on moving day, each one dependent on the other.Comedy featuring interweaving stories of seven households caught up in a property chain on moving day, each one dependent on the other.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
357
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jack Gold
  • Writer
    • Jack Rosenthal(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Denis Lawson
    • Rita Wolf
    • Phyllis Logan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jack Gold
  • Writer
    • Jack Rosenthal(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Denis Lawson
    • Rita Wolf
    • Phyllis Logan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos

    The Chain (1984)
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    Top cast

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    Denis Lawson
    Denis Lawson
    • Keithas Keith
    Rita Wolf
    Rita Wolf
    • Carrieas Carrie
    Phyllis Logan
    Phyllis Logan
    • Alisonas Alison
    David Troughton
    David Troughton
    • Dudleyas Dudley
    Jade Magri
    • Tashaas Tasha
    Maurice Denham
    Maurice Denham
    • Grandpaas Grandpa
    Nigel Hawthorne
    Nigel Hawthorne
    • Mr. Thornas Mr. Thorn
    Anna Massey
    Anna Massey
    • Bettyas Betty
    Billie Whitelaw
    Billie Whitelaw
    • Mrs. Andreosas Mrs. Andreos
    Judy Parfitt
    Judy Parfitt
    • Deidreas Deidre
    John Rowe
    John Rowe
    • Alexas Alex
    Matthew Blakstad
    • Markas Mark
    Charlotte Long
    • Rosemaryas Rosemary
    Leo McKern
    Leo McKern
    • Thomasas Thomas
    Herbert Norville
    • Desas Des
    Carmen Munroe
    • Des's Mumas Des's Mum
    Ron Pember
    • Stanas Stan
    Warren Mitchell
    Warren Mitchell
    • Bamberas Bamber
    • Director
      • Jack Gold
    • Writer
      • Jack Rosenthal(original screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Comedy featuring interweaving stories of seven households caught up in a property chain on moving day, each one dependent on the other.
    • property
    • moving
    • relocation
    • house
    • independent film
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Comedy
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Screenwriter Jack Rosenthal used the same character name, "Bamber", for the head removal man in this movie and in the television series Moving Story (1994). In both cases, the character was a know-it-all who incessantly impressed, and bored, his colleagues with his prodigious knowledge, hence the nickname "Bamber", a reference to Bamber Gascoigne, the Question Master on University Challenge (1962).
    • Goofs
      Des's mum hands a cup of tea to Thomas. When seen from behind, he has the cup and saucer resting on his thigh, When viewed from his front, he has the cup at chest height.
    • Connections
      Spin-off Moving Story (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Karma Chameleon
      Composed by Boy George (as O'Dowd), Roy Hay, Jon Moss, Mikey Craig,

      Phil Pickett

      Performed by Billie Whitelaw

      Used by kind permission of Virgin Music (Publishers) Limited and Warner Bros. Music

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    Removals in London
    The Chain is a film that I can only describe as a gem. It is set in London in the Thatcher era , and does not shirk in its light critical observation of a London at a time of polarised beliefs and values.

    The film is not just a journey of London Boroughs , but a journey to the very inner motivations and ideals of the class-ridden characters portrayed in the film. The writer uses the Biblical seven deadly sins in which to drive the film along . Warren Mitchell is superb as Bamber , the leader of the removal crew. A philosopher who never loses his sight of humanity , somehow makes sense of the most complex insecure people and situations that surround him in the day. My favourite line is "I've got my bricklaying at two". This underlined the Black Economy that existed in London , during a period of economic uncertainty. A must see , for any film buff into social criticism of the eighties.
    helpful•8
    1
    • robred69
    • Jan 31, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 24, 1984 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ein Umzug kommt selten allein
    • Filming locations
      • 94 Huddleston Road, Tufnell Park, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Quintet Films
      • County Bank
      • Film Four International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £1,125,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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