A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

In London, four very different people team up to commit armed robbery, then try to doublecross each other for the loot.

Directors:

Charles Crichton, John Cleese (uncredited)

Writers:

John Cleese (story), Charles Crichton (story)

Stars:

John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cleese	...	Archie Leach
Jamie Lee Curtis	...	Wanda Gershwitz
Kevin Kline	...	Otto
Michael Palin	...	Ken Pile
Maria Aitken	...	Wendy
Tom Georgeson	...	Georges Thomason
Patricia Hayes	...	Mrs. Coady
Geoffrey Palmer	...	Judge
Cynthia Cleese	...	Portia (as Cynthia Caylor)
Mark Elwes	...	Customer in Jeweler's Shop
Neville Phillips	...	Manager of Jeweler's Shop
Peter Jonfield	...	Inspector Marvin
Ken Campbell	...	Bartlett
Al Ashton	...	Warder
Roger Hume	...	Locksmith

Storyline

In London, Georges Thomason (Tom Georgeson), his seductive American girlfriend Wanda Gershwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis), and their associate Ken Pile (Sir Michael Palin) are planning their latest crime, a diamond heist that should net them thirteen million pounds sterling. They plan on leaving the country with the goods after the heist. On Wanda's recommendation, they enlist the help of her brother, Otto West (Kevin Kline), a weapons expert, for this heist. In reality, Otto is not Wanda's brother, but her latest lover, a dimwit who gets off on his own body odor, who believes he's an intellectual because he reads Nietzsche, and who does not tolerate being called stupid by anyone. Wanda has one weakness in men which is how Otto was able to get her to be his lover: speaking Italian in seduction. Wanda and Otto plan to double cross Georges by having him arrested for the heist, while they abscond with the jewels. Wanda further plans to triple cross Otto by eliminating him from the picture after ...

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Plot Keywords:

stuttering man | heist | ugly american | fish tank | plan gone wrong | 

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Taglines:

A tale of murder, lust, greed, revenge, and seafood.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The dogs seen with Patricia Hayes were her own.

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Goofs

When Archie runs out of the house after the "burglary".

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Quotes

Wanda: What about my tits?
Otto: Does he get to handle them?
Wanda: Yes, he does. That's my forecast and I'll stand by it.
Otto: Would this also involve... nuzzling?
Wanda: Yes, I think three million dollars is worth a bit of nuzzling. Fifty percent chance of that.
Otto: Sucking?
Wanda: I thought you weren't jealous?
Otto: I'm not. I don't believe in jealousy, it's for the weak. One thing though. Touch his dick and he's dead!

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Crazy Credits

At the very end of the closing credits is the word FIN -- which is how French films say THE END, but in English a "fin" is a part of a fish.

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Alternate Versions

The Special Edition DVD has a bunch of deleted scenes including Otto's secret hobby and alternate scenes making the film more darker comedy.

• There are two alternate endings. Both feature Otto dying and covered in blood in the cement but have different scenes on the plane, both imply that Wanda is going to run off with the money.

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Connections

Referenced in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

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Soundtracks

Deutschlandlied
Written by Joseph Haydn and August Heinrich Hoffman von Fallersleben

User Reviews

Actually Funny

She has short hair, but sports a cleavage and legs to use appeal as a motivator. The stereotype of the pompous Briton, the ignorant American, the racist South African and more come out to fantastic effect. I just felt badly for the poor dogs. This one is funny.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Italian Russian French

Release Date:

29 July 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Fish Called Wanda

Filming Locations:

Roehampton Church School, Wandsworth, London, Greater London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$115,418, 17 July 1988

Gross USA:

$62,493,712

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$62,493,712

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Michael Shamberg Productions, Prominent Features

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1