Customer Reviews

A Private Function

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a surprise that this perfect gem is not better known...such a loss. Britain during the early fifties had much to look forward to and much still to do. Everything was still rationed just as in the war years principally because the treasury was sacked to pay for the arms and munitions needed to fight it. The Empire (or what was left of it) was broke too and most that had not already done so went the autonomous route now, taking revenue away from London...though all quite peaceably and with everyone's best wishes. It would be ten years after the war ended (that makes roughly fourteen in all) until rationing would end for these isles, celebrated with the fantastic Festival of Britain in 1955, and people could at last look forward into a new Elizabethan age, rather than back on that darkness. My god Britain paid for that war in every way possible...really. What a period then to set a comedy I suppose...except that this particular story required those lean and austere times for the telling of it. Fresh meat you see...gammon, bacon, joints roasted and slavered with apple sauce...mouth watering! Imagine then the lengths you might go to for some of that after, let's say, eleven years of powdered egg.
Michael Palin as the hen pecked chiropodist, Maggie Smith as the social climbing hen, Liz Smith as the batty scatty mother-in law who'll stuff virtually anything and everything in her gannet gob, Denholm Eliot (as the doctor) who refuses to be impressed and so must be made so...along with everyone else in town who matters....I have never laughed so much. They are all that generation who would have been children (more or less) in this time period and all say how they never felt they went without....how they enjoyed their childhood's and wish it could be the same always...when you watch this you can see their point. This film and everyone's performance in it is superb. Please...for your good health and for your better and more cheerful disposition...buy this movie.

Michael Palin of Monty Python and 'Fish Called Wanda' fame teams up with Maggie Smith ('Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', 'Room With a View', 'Gosford Park') to form one of the most eccentric married couples in English history. To top it off, the couple live with her mother played by the acctress who portrays the eccentric female vestry member (always knitting and creating strange kitchen concoctions) in the 'Vicar of Dilby' series.

Palin is "foot doctor" who spends his days bicycling from house to house in post-War II Yorkshire tending to female patients. In his travels around and about he crosses paths with a syndicate of "business men" who are raising an illegal pig for a "private function" to be held the day the Princess Elizabeth (II) marries.

Following a farcical turn of events, Palin kidnaps the pig named "Betty" planned for the roast. Urged on by Smith's character (pure Maggie), the couple "keep" the pig in their bathroom and try to kill it. Soon enough, the syndicate members discover the kidnapping and are hot on the tail of the missing pig. In the meantime, a zealous copper is hot on their tails.

Other wonderful actors in this romp include Denholm Elliot ('Room With a View'), Alison Steadman ('Singing Dectective', 'Pride and Prejudice'), Pete Postlehwaite ('Name of the Father', 'Brassed Off') and other very familiar faces. An uplifting film, but not suitable for those who are weak of stomach.

A vivid and comic look at dour Britain in the early 50's, just as Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen) is about to get married. Local celebrations are hampered by food rationing - and a stolen pig becomes the centre of attention. Lizzie Smith as the old mum is brilliant, Richard Griffiths excellent (he is in "Withnail and I" too) and Dame Maggie Smith as Michael Palin's wife is just right.
Denholm Eliot, as a local bigwig, is a revelation. Buy it! Pity it's not on DVD.

This is one of my favorite movies. There is humor in almost every scene; there are so many nuances in this movie, that I've seen it over 20 times and still see something new each viewing. Each character has a distinct personality. It's just a very enjoyable film to watch, and I recommend it highly. It's a very clever movie.

Hysterically funny movie about social climbing and rationed pork during wwII. Written by comic talent Alan Bennet who has contributed greatly to screenplays these past 20 years.

This is such a good and well crafted film, it is difficult to accept that it is also a very factual history lesson.

The setting is a small North of England town in 1947. Although WW2 has been over for 2 years, Socialism has greedily kept its iron, war-time hand, on the country as a whole. Shortages are severe and restrictions are strict. Food rationing is still very much in force and government inspectors are plentiful.

The upcoming wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip prompts the local 'big-wigs' to engage in actions that are far from legal, in an attempt to hold a civic feast to mark the occasion. A newcomer to the community (Palin), while carrying out his chiropodist's function with much success, doesn't 'fit in' with the local dignitaries - in particular, with the Local Doctor (Denholm Elliott).

After a series of odd - and often hilarious - escapades, Palin and his Class obsessed wife (Maggie Smith) find themselves invited to the civic feast after all.

This film is a true gem of English film humour and genuine acting talent. As a social history of England and its class-conscious society, prior to (say) 1970, it is of the greatest interest and veracity.

The acting, throughout, is first rate and Richard Griffiths, Pete, Postlethwaite and Bill Paterson give exemplary performances as they lead a very talented cast of extras.

Much more reserved than a Monty Python film but Palin's humor is excellently dry in this unique film about a strained married couple during post war WW II England that was stil experiencing shortages, particularly meat. Palin plays a podiatrist married to Maggie Smith, who obviously and reluctantly settled for him as opposed to a more, in her mind, prestigious physician or other socially upward chap. As post war England is still in the midst of a severe meat shortage, requiring rationing, those with meat are much higher up the social ladder and become the "in crowd". And on the flip side, those who suddenly possess meat, whether through legal means or otherwise, can procure money, sex or other special favors. Palin playing the severely reprimanded husband can never seem to please his wife, or have the benefits of any affection what so ever, stumbles across a pig and suddenly his stock rises in the eyes of his wife. One of the funniest scenes is Smith's matter of fact reference to sex that both astonishes and paralyzes Palin as apparently those privileges were severely limited, if granted at all, and perhaps prior inquiries were met with severe abuse. Hence Palin's shock at the mere mention of the possibility. There is a very minor touch of nudity in a limited but humorous sexual scene so for a reasonably mature audience.

The Alan Bennett-scripted A Private Function is an amusing tale about a chiropodist's attempt to steal a pig in post-WWII Yorkshire. Michael Palin is the longsuffering husband whose wife, Maggie Smith, wants to eat pork and move up in the world during a time when rationing was still in force, and the market for illicit meat was booming.

Eventually Palin and rival pig-thief Richard Griffiths, looking surprisingly porcine himself, fall in love with the hapless swine.

This is an often very funny look at postwar Britain from a unique perspective. It boasts a stellar cast that also includes Denholm Elliot, Tom Postlethwaite, Bill Paterson, Alison Steadman and Liz Smith.

When the incredible Maggie Smith shares top billing in a film with a pig, it is simply too delicious to resist. That is much the way I feel about 1984's "A Private Function." This delightful British comedy didn't get a lot of attention upon its release and is still relatively unknown stateside, but those that appreciate a droll skewering of class politics will be enchanted by this rude, yet smart, film. "A Private Function" won three British Academy Awards (BAFTAs) for Best Actress Maggie Smith, Best Supporting Actress Liz Smith, and Best Supporting Actor Denholm Elliott in addition to being nominated for Best Film and Best Screenplay. Headlined by Michael Palin, "A Private Function" is more akin to a classic Ealing Studio's comic caper than to contemporary Python. Bizarre and uniquely British in tone and temperament, I hope a new DVD release will raise awareness of this quiet gem. And there's a pig in it!

Set in a small town in post-war 1947 Britain, "A Private Function" introduces a world were deprivation and rationing are still every day occurrences. When the local town bigwigs want to impress for an impending Royal wedding, they set aside a pig for slaughter. It's all rather hush hush, though, as the very act they intend to commit violates the law. When Palin, as the put upon husband of Dame Maggie, is pushed too far by his socially carnivorous wife--he abducts the prize porker. Mayhem ensues as the town falls to pieces and Palin and Smith desperately try to hide their porcine concubine from prying eyes. There are plenty of gags, many at the expense of Smith's daft mother Liz Smith, who fears senility from all the strange new odors at home. Of course things work out--but not in the way anyone was expecting.

A great blend of physical humor and intellect, if you love British comedy--you'll undoubtedly love "A Private Function." Maggie Smith is an absolutely hilarious snoot, and many of the supporting roles are fleshed out by recognizable faces. (Recently deceased Pete Posthlewaite plays a town butcher.) Everyone gives such robust performances, however, it is surprising to find Michael Palin as the straight man. The quiet within the hilarity, it's not the role you'd expect such a rich comedic actor to inhabit. So, have a good time. Sit down with a big bowl of pork rinds and enjoy the wicked and wonderful "A Private Function." KGHarris, 1/11.

One of the coolest films i've seen Palin was great and it had a great supporting cast. If you think it is droll you havent lived!!!