Thunderpants (2002)

An 11-year-old boy's amazing ability to break wind leads him first to fame and then to death row, before it helps him to fulfill his ambition of becoming an astronaut.

Director:

Peter Hewitt (as Pete Hewitt)

Writers:

Peter Hewitt (story) (as Pete Hewitt), Phil Hughes

Stars:

Simon Callow, Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simon Callow	...	Sir John Osgood
Stephen Fry	...	Sir Anthony Silk
Celia Imrie	...	Miss Rapier
Paul Giamatti	...	Johnson J. Johnson
Ned Beatty	...	Gen. Ed Sheppard
Bruce Cook	...	Patrick Smash
Rupert Grint	...	Alan A. Allen
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Mrs. Smash
Victor McGuire	...	Mr. Smash
Adam Godley	...	Placido P. Placeedo
Leslie Phillips	...	Judge
Robert Hardy	...	Doctor
John Higgins	...	Paediatrician
Lillie Crossley	...	Denise, age 5
Sam Davies	...	Patrick, age 3

Storyline

Patrick Smash (11) was born with two stomachs, and hence the uncontrollable 'talent' to produce ungodly farts. This soon drives his own dad away and makes his social life hell. His only friend is classmate Alan A. Allen, a prodigy genius, who has no sense of smell. Even Alan's invention Thunderpants, which renders Patrick's farts harmless, can't make his space travel dream realistic. However after the invention of an adaptation which turns it into flying fuel, Alan is recruited by the US space center. Patrick becomes word class tenor Sir John Osgood's secret high C farter. Their reunion is even more incredible.

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Plot Keywords:

invention | astronaut | tenor | dream | best friend | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for ongoing crude humor, language, some violence and bullying

Details

Official Sites:

Genius Products [United States]

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Plein gaz

Filming Locations:

153 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£430,913 (United Kingdom), 26 May 2002, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

CP Medien AG, Mission Pictures, Pathé Pictures International

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the DVD commentary, the filmmakers wanted to film at the real NASA. They sent NASA the script and they liked it, but declined their permission to film there.

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Quotes

Alan A. Allen: Thunderpants!

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Connections

Spoofs The Right Stuff (1983)

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Soundtracks

Also Sprach Zarathustra
Written by Richard Strauss

User Reviews

Original but awful movie

I thought the message of the whole movie was surprisingly good but I thought the film wasn't good. Rupert Grint proved, once again that he can be a comedian; it would be nice to see him in a role where he had to be serious. I thought the whole thing was awful. Maybe children age under 12 might like it but I thought it was stupid basically. I cringe when people make films like that, they are just bad. Although the film was bad in general I thought the acting was decent and the general message was good. Very occasionally it was funny. It was over the top and totally unrealistic which I like. I love films which dare to be different and don't follow the crown. It was original which was good. Although I have many good things to say about it I didn't enjoy it and I would not recommend it to anyone.