The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Julien Temple (1982)

90min

Review

Our Score

by David Parkinson

Combining footage from benefits staged in aid of Amnesty International, this movie is more a souvenir than great cinema. Directors Roger Graef and Julien Temple's video images are murky and jerky, and while they work for such memorable musical slots as Sting's Message in a Bottle and the blues teaming of guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, they distract from the comedy without conveying any audience excitement. However, Alan Bennett and John Fortune's dialogue, the Pythons' immortal "Four Yorkshiremen" sketch and the End of the World routine featuring Peter Cook and Rowan Atkinson, all survive the self-consciously edgy camerawork.

Summary

Film of a charity comedy revue in aid of Amnesty International, featuring a glittering line-up of manic stars including Rowan Atkinson, Jasper Carrott, Billy Connolly and Peter Cook. The music industry is also ably represented, with appearances by guitar icons Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, plus singer-songwriter Phil Collins.

Cast & Crew

John Cleese John Cleese

Graham Chapman Graham Chapman

Peter Cook Peter Cook

Rowan Atkinson Rowan Atkinson

Tim Brooke-Taylor Tim Brooke-Taylor

Sting Sting

Eric Clapton Eric Clapton

Jeff Beck Jeff Beck

Phil Collins Phil Collins

Donovan Donovan

John Bird John Bird

Alan Bennett Alan Bennett

Billy Connolly Billy Connolly

Director Julien Temple

Director Roger Graef

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourGuidance: Contains some swearing.Available on: video and DVD

Comedy

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Julien Temple (1982)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

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