Product Details

• Actors: Millicent Martin, Tony Tanner, Georgina Allen, Natasha Ashton, Carlotta Barrow
• Directors: Philip Saville
• Writers: Al Ham, Alan Bergman, Anthony Newley, David Donable, Leslie Bricusse
• Producers: William Sargent Jr.
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: July 8, 1994
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303018009
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,441 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A once-in-a-lifetime hit leaps from stage to screen. People saw it, said it, sang it. From London's West End to Broadway to middle America and the world, the cry went out: Stop the World - I Want to Get Off! Share the visual and vocal delights of the innovative Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse musical whose title became a catch phrase and whose songs became standards for recording stars and bathtub warbles alike. What Kind of Fool Am I?, Once in a Lifetime, Gonna Build a Mountain and more tunes from the songmiths who also teamed on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory are among the highlights of this stage production recreated for film. In the spotlight are Littlechap (Tony Tanner), an Everyman who is more ambitious than wise, and the lovers in his life (all played by Millicent Martin). Curtain up! Stop the world... start the play!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Newley's masterpiece and Tanner's acclaimed performance, November 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Stop the World I Want to Get Off [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Did you know that Anthony Newley never sold the film rights to Stop The World...? The studio's promotion notwithstanding, this Warner Brothers release (and the two additional versions that followed, with Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Scolari, respectively) are filmed records of the show in performance on stage. Newley was, in fact, so protective of this show and so concerned with the idea that it might fail to earn it's place in the musical theatre canon because of mishandling or misrepresentation that he twice refused to appear in filmed versions of the show. After the New York critics raved about him as an actor/writer (rather than writer/actor?) he obsessed that the show would be shrugged off as a star vehicle, useless without him. (Likewise, his followup show "Roar of the Greasepaint..." starred Norman Wisdom until producer David Merrick refused to present it without Newley in the lead!) For the first (and only good) "film" Newley endorsed his London replacement Tony Tanner, who had turned this show and role into something of a personal triumph when Newley left for Broadway. Any reservations you may feel about coughing up $20 for a non-Newley "Stop The World" will be found unwarranted when you see Tanner's brilliant star turn. Wry and cynical, by turns put-upon and smug, Tanner breathes glorious life into one of the most alarmingly ambiguous musical roles ever written. Dripping with adroit charm, yet roundly dislikable, Tanner is a marvel to behold.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT. The more you see it the better it becomes, July 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Stop the World I Want to Get Off [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I saw this in the theatres about 10 times before it ever came out on video. Since I now have the video, I have seen it at least 50 times and it gets better each time. This is the type of show you must see about three times before it becomes great. Each time you see it, something new seems to show up. Would not recommend it to anyone under 16. Try it, you'll love it. It makes you think and use your brain.

4.0 out of 5 stars I've been lumbered!, December 19, 2009

By 

Hillary Weeks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stop the World I Want to Get Off [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've been lumbered into enjoying this!
It's a strange production- though I was aware it would be being already somewhat familiar with the show- Little Chap (Tony Tanner) and Evie/Anya/Ara/Genie (Millicent Martin) are both charming, talented, and really drive this production to make it memorable and well worth seeing.
I feel like the ensemble, and the two daughters, however, are rather bland and not very talented singers, which is a shame.

The songs are lovely, the message- a bit of a downer-, but this has songs you need to listen to, and is a very strong musical.
Yes, the production is strange, especially to those of you not used to theatre and whose only exposure to musicals is Chicago, Moulin Rouge and Disney Films... But go in with an open mind, and you'll find some beautiful, interesting, and funny songs that beckon to be listened to again and again.