Solemplex
To me, this movie is perfection.
RipDelight
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Guillelmina
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
talley-1
Super integration of songs and plot, superb acting by all. One of my favorite movies, although it's really too long to be a "movie." Giles Thomas is wonderful as private Francis Francis. I own this one and watch it at least once a year. It's that good. This is NOT a movie for children, as none of Potter's work is. One of the song and dance numbers is integrated into the plot in a most extraordinary way. It's the one in the military intelligence office about Egypt with the camel. The room is floor is full of balloons. When the number ends, and we get back to "reality," Col. Bernwood walks across the floor and kicks a final, pink balloon out of the way.
Peter Hayes
A couple of foreign office clerks are very bored at work and their attention wanders.The 1950's never look like much fun to me. Give me a time tunnel and the 50's wouldn't be the first number I dial up.With a modest budget and a bit of nerve this series looks back with nostalgia on this buttoned up decade. Where a bit of peroxide and hint of stocking sent the boys wild -- I bit like today now that I think about it! This is fun and I love the way McGregor plays the virgin office boy. Not that he wasn't a bit younger back then.A fun bit of TV fluff although like most of Potter's work it goes on too long.
sven lobster
If you have a vivid imagination and your mind likes to wonder, you will be wonderfully rewarded by watching this Dennis Potter gem! It has a great fifties soundtrack and music numbers that are choreographed with exciting imagination! (but maybe Dennis needed to get out a bit more) The characters are well casted, and there performances, are extremely well delivered. As an added bonus, you get to see Ewen McGregor before he went to the Dark Side! I watched this show when it was first released on television, more than ten years ago, and loved it, and after a recent viewing, found the show had not lost any of it's edge! Maybe hard to find now, but! if you have not seen it, hunt it down! Enjoy!
cheepnisone
In my view this is one of Potter's most impressive works. It has been years since I saw the series on television but I remember it became the highlight of my week. The unpredictable plot and the surreal use of day dreams and 50's music was masterful.Louise Germaine was brilliantly cast as the stunningly beautiful Sylvia. She was beautiful that is until she spoke, revealing the most dreadful accent. A memorable performance. Even back in the early nineties it was clear that Ewan MrGegor was destined to go on to greater things.Highly recommended viewing.
