Film:
Privates On Parade
 Year: 1982
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Country: UK Genre: Comedy
/ Drama / war |
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Director:
Michael Blakemore |
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Starring:
Michael
Elphick, Joe Melia, Nicola Pagett, Denis Quilley, John Cleese |
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No trailer Available |
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Privates On Parade Synopsis - Privates On Parade is set in the late 1940's in Malaya, to the background of the British army fighting the communist rebels. The film centres on a song and and dance unit entertaining the troops whilst trying to avoid being shot by the enemy forces. The complex web of relationships within the unit bring relief and comfort from the constant danger of the enemy, but with a Major determined that his unit will see combat action, and an officer selling military supplies to the enemy, the unit do not realise the danger within. |
| Review of Privates On Parade - Privates On Parade is a superb sad, beautiful and sometimes brutal comedy based on Peter Nichols real life experiences in just such an Entertainment unit of the British Army (that also included such future stars as Kenneth Williams and Stanley Baxter). There is much camp humour within the camp, and Denis Quilley as the screaming director is by turns hilarious and very touching. The rest of the cast are also superb, obviously benefiting from the fact many had already appeared in the stage show and therefore appear to know their characters inside out. The only slight blemish on this is John Cleese as the Major of the unit, he is too Basil Fawlty and seems rather out of place with the tone of the rest of the film - no doubt the producers were keen to give some incentive for the public to come out and see the movie as John Cleese was a huge star at the time. This is a terrific film that straddles humour, sadness, and human frailty all with consummate skill. |
| The reasons I recommend Privates On Parade are: 1. A touching and very funny movie. 2. A superb ensemble cast. |
