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IMDbPro

Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt

Original title: Topsy-Turvy
  • 1999
  • 0
  • 2h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for Topsy-Turvy
Play trailer1:15
2 Videos
38 Photos
BiographyComedyDrama

Set in the 1880s, the story of how, during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all ar... Read allSet in the 1880s, the story of how, during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all around and write the Mikado.Set in the 1880s, the story of how, during a creative dry spell, the partnership of the legendary musical/theatrical writers Gilbert and Sullivan almost dissolves, before they turn it all around and write the Mikado.

  • Director
    • Mike Leigh
  • Writer
    • Mike Leigh
  • Stars
    • Jim Broadbent
    • Allan Corduner
    • Dexter Fletcher
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Leigh
    • Writer
      • Mike Leigh
    • Stars
      • Jim Broadbent
      • Allan Corduner
      • Dexter Fletcher
    • 222User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 13 wins & 28 nominations total

    Videos2

    Topsy-Turvy
    Trailer 1:15
    Watch Topsy-Turvy
    Topsy-Turvy
    Trailer 2:26
    Watch Topsy-Turvy

    Photos38

    Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)
    Jim Broadbent and Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy - Auf den Kopf gestellt (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jim Broadbent
    Jim Broadbent
    • William Schwenck Gilbert
    Allan Corduner
    Allan Corduner
    • Arthur Sullivan
    Dexter Fletcher
    Dexter Fletcher
    • Louis
    Sukie Smith
    • Clothilde
    Roger Heathcott
    • Stage Doorkeeper
    Wendy Nottingham
    • Helen Lenoir
    Stefan Bednarczyk
    • Frank Cellier
    Geoffrey Hutchings
    Geoffrey Hutchings
    • Armourer
    Timothy Spall
    Timothy Spall
    • Richard Temple
    Francis Lee
    Francis Lee
    • Butt
    Bill Neenan
    Bill Neenan
    • Cook
    • (as William Neenan)
    Adam Searle
    • Shrimp
    Martin Savage
    Martin Savage
    • George Grossmith
    Lesley Manville
    Lesley Manville
    • Lucy Gilbert (Kitty)
    Kate Doherty
    Kate Doherty
    • Mrs. Judd
    Kenneth Hadley
    Kenneth Hadley
    • Pidgeon
    Keeley Gainey
    Keeley Gainey
    • Maidservant
    Ron Cook
    Ron Cook
    • Richard D'Oyly Carte
    • Director
      • Mike Leigh
    • Writer
      • Mike Leigh
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Not only did all the actors do their own singing, but everyone in the cast, including the pit orchestra and the actors who play instruments in the film, actually played the music they are seen to play.
    • Goofs
      This well known quote from the film is a factual mistake: "If you wish to write a Grand Opera about a prostitute, dying of consumption in a garret, I suggest you contact Mr Ibsen in Oslo. I am sure he will be able to furnish you with something suitably dull". The city of Oslo got the name in 1925 - a long time after Ibsen's death in 1906. During Ibsen's lifetime, the capital of Norway was called Kristiania.
    • Quotes

      Helen Lenoir: The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs.

    • Crazy credits
      The credit for "Location Vehicles" is misspelled "Location Vechicles".
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Magnolia/Stuart Little/Anna and the King/Bicentennial Man/Topsy-Turvy (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      If You Give Me Your Attention
      from "Princess Ida"

      Music by Arthur Sullivan

      Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert

      Performed by Martin Savage and Chorus

    User reviews222

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A Sumptuous Cinematic Treat
    TOPSY-TURVY, director Leigh's spectacularly entertaining look at the lives and times of the nineteenth-century British duo that gave the world such musical treasures as The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore. Leigh's film finds G & S in 1884 at a creative impasse following the disappointing reception of their new flop operetta, Princess Ida. Sullivan (Allan Corduner), tired of writing music for the increasingly trite and repetitive librettos of Gilbert (Jim Broadbent), wants to give up their lucrative partnership and write "serious" grand opera. But when an exhibition of Japanese art and culture travelling through London inspires Gilbert to begin writing The Mikado, both men see the opportunity to create something unique and extraordinary. Praise for this stunning film must extend from top to bottom, beginning to end. The music, of course, is wonderful and ever present. The costumes, sets and cinematography are exemplary in their attention to atmosphere and detail. Leigh's script and direction not only bring the period to life, but make it crackle with drama, wit, and social comment. And the performances are fabulous, notably the magnificent Broadbent as mercurial Gilbert; Corduner, warm and charming as the more sweet-natured Sullivan; and Leigh regular Timothy Spall (SECRETS & LIES) as a veteran actor fearful that his big number may be cut. This is quite simply one of the most vastly entertaining, joyous and fascinating films ever made about the creative process. I actually saw it twice within a three-day period and wasn't bored for one second of either viewing!
    helpful•32
    5
    • Fab4Fan
    • Feb 20, 2000

    Top picks

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    FAQ6

    • What is the name of the musical piece that starts the scene where Barrington, Grossmith, and Lely are having lunch, just after Gilbert says "Enter Poo-Bah"?Siri keeps getting it wrong and the piece does not appear to be listed anywhere.
    • What was the repeated word Sullivan offered as final advice to the cast?
    • Was Gilbert really that distant and cold with his wife?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 11, 2000 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • German
      • Italian
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Topsy-Turvy
    • Filming locations
      • Richmond Theatre, 1 Little Green, Richmond, Greater London, England, UK(Savoy Theatre, London, England, UK)
    • Production companies
      • Goldwyn Films
      • Newmarket Capital Group
      • The Greenlight Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,208,548
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $31,387
      • Dec 19, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,804,349
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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