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Tristram Shandy

Original title: A Cock and Bull Story
  • 20052005
  • RR
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
13K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
Theatrical Trailer from Picturehouse Entertainment
Play trailer2:03
1 Video
31 Photos
  • Comedy
Director Michael Winterbottom (Northam) attempts to shoot the adaptation of Laurence Sterne's essentially unfilmable novel, "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."Director Michael Winterbottom (Northam) attempts to shoot the adaptation of Laurence Sterne's essentially unfilmable novel, "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."Director Michael Winterbottom (Northam) attempts to shoot the adaptation of Laurence Sterne's essentially unfilmable novel, "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman."
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
13K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Winterbottom
  • Writers
    • Laurence Sterne(novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy")
    • Frank Cottrell Boyce(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steve Coogan
    • Jeremy Northam
    • Rob Brydon
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Winterbottom
  • Writers
    • Laurence Sterne(novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy")
    • Frank Cottrell Boyce(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steve Coogan
    • Jeremy Northam
    • Rob Brydon
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 128User reviews
    • 120Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 2 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos1

    Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
    Trailer 2:03
    Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story

    Photos31

    Steve Coogan in A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan in A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan in A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Gillian Anderson and Rob Brydon in A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Steve Coogan in A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan in A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Michael Winterbottom at an event for A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Michael Winterbottom at an event for A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Rob Brydon at an event for A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan at an event for A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Steve Coogan at an event for A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
    Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, and Michael Winterbottom at an event for A Cock and Bull Story (2005)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Tristram Shandyas Tristram Shandy…
    Jeremy Northam
    Jeremy Northam
    • Markas Mark
    Rob Brydon
    Rob Brydon
    • Capt. Toby Shandyas Capt. Toby Shandy…
    Keeley Hawes
    Keeley Hawes
    • Elizabethas Elizabeth…
    Shirley Henderson
    Shirley Henderson
    • Susannahas Susannah
    Raymond Waring
    Raymond Waring
    • Trimas Trim
    Conal Murphy
    • Young Tristram Shandy - Age 6as Young Tristram Shandy - Age 6
    Joe Williams
    • Young Tristram Shandy - Age 9as Young Tristram Shandy - Age 9
    Paul Kynman
    Paul Kynman
    • Obadiahas Obadiah
    Mark Tandy
    Mark Tandy
    • London Doctoras London Doctor
    Mary Healey
    Mary Healey
    • Midwifeas Midwife
    Dylan Moran
    Dylan Moran
    • Dr. Slopas Dr. Slop
    Jack Shepherd
    Jack Shepherd
    • Surgeonas Surgeon
    David Walliams
    David Walliams
    • Parsonas Parson
    Benedict Wong
    Benedict Wong
    • Edas Ed
    Naomie Harris
    Naomie Harris
    • Jennieas Jennie
    Claire Keelan
    Claire Keelan
    • Make-up Assistantas Make-up Assistant
    Kelly Macdonald
    Kelly Macdonald
    • Jennyas Jenny
    • Director
      • Michael Winterbottom
    • Writers
      • Laurence Sterne(novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy")
      • Frank Cottrell Boyce(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The credited writer Martin Hardy is actually a pseudonym for the writer Frank Cottrell Boyce, who had his name taken off the film after a falling-out with longtime collaborator Michael Winterbottom.
    • Quotes

      Rob Brydon: The thing is, I can't act...

      Steve Coogan: I know that.

      Rob Brydon: ...with Gillian Anderson. I have a sexual thing for Gillian Anderson.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits have (intentional) spacing issues, and mismatched fonts.
    • Alternate versions
      Just as with "In This World," the British DVD features a 1.78:1 transfer of the film. Although the film was shot for release in theaters at 2.35:1, because it was made on DV, the total space of the filmed image was 1.78. The film was masked for theatrical release, as the director intended. However, for DVD release, the film was transferred open matte. Again, like "In This World," only the American DVD respects the theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1.
    • Connections
      Featured in The South Bank Show: Michael Winterbottom (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Chasing Sheep is Best Left to Shepherds
      from The Draughtman's Contract Music

      Composed by Michael Nyman

      Published by Chester Music Limited

      Performed by the Michael Nyman Band

    User reviews128

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Cocky and bullish
    How do you film an unfilmable book? Well, you can either make it up as you go along, as David Cronenberg did with Naked Lunch, or you take this approach and make a film about a film crew making a film of an unfilmable book. The tricky tome in question here is The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentlemen - a bawdy work of wit and wonderment penned in 1760 by clergyman Laurence Sterne.

    Steve Coogan plays Tristram - even though he's not born by the end of the book - as well as Tristram's father Walter... and himself. Or rather, a semi-fictional version of himself. Rob Brydon also stars as himself and Walter's brother - Tristram's Uncle Toby. There are lots of other familiar British TV actors either playing themselves playing other characters or simply playing characters who interact with the stars of the film-within-the-film (for example, Ian Hart plays the screenwriter but doesn't play Ian Hart). And Gillian Anderson makes an appearance. Confused? Don't worry, you won't be.

    As the writer and director strive to retain the spirit of Shandy compromises have to be made to allow for star egos, historical accuracy (Mark Williams is excellent as a pain-in-the-arse military consultant), and a miniscule budget. In one cracking scene, the crew watch the 'rushes' of the underwhelming battle scene ("Look at that! There are, literally, tens of people..."), leaving the director in despair and the costume designer in tears.

    The seemingly complicated set-up actually makes a lot of sense, with Coogan sending up the naughty-boy persona created for him by the British press and Brydon sending up Coogan, while the film itself sends up the movie-making process. Viewers will be frequently amused but never bewildered as Michael Winterbottom pulls it all together with panache.

    Anyone unfamiliar with the novel won't learn much, but it matters not. Bawdy and barmy, A Cock And Bull Story embodies Sterne's work perfectly. Coogan gamely shows his vulnerable side (or maybe that's just good acting?) and shows terrific rapport with Brydon, who steals the show with marvellously mundane banter and spot-on impersonations of Coogan-as-Alan Partridge and Roger Moore. Give that man his own movie.
    helpful•85
    14
    • skymovies
    • Jan 12, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 20, 2006 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
    • Filming locations
      • Blickling Hall, Blickling, Norfolk, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • BBC Films
      • Baby Cow Productions
      • EM Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £2,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,253,413
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $60,886
      • Jan 29, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,931,982
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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