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A Private Function

Play trailer Poster for A Private Function R,  1984,  1h 33m,  Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 91% 11 Reviews Tomatometer 63% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In the summer of 1947, Britain prepares to commemorate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. To get around food-rationing laws, Dr. Charles Swaby (Denholm Elliott), accountant Henry Allardyce (Richard Griffiths) and solicitor Frank Lockwood (John Normington) are fattening a black-market pig for the big day. Egged on by his wife (Maggie Smith), meek Gilbert Chilvers (Michael Palin) steals the swine, but the couple must conceal it from Inspector Morris Wormold (Bill Paterson).

Critics Reviews

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Chris Bennion The Times (UK) Nov 16, 2022
It’s brilliantly funny. Go to Full Review
Paul Attanasio Washington Post Jan 4, 2018
"A Private Function" is an amusing farce in the tradition of old Ealing studio comedies like "The Lavender Hill Mob," and like those movies, it never quite ignites. Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety Jul 6, 2010
Director Malcolm Mowbray neatly orchestrates the resulting drama and points up the class antagonisms at play. Go to Full Review
Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Dec 4, 2024
Fans of Alan Bennett will recognize the writer's characteristic combination of dark satire with a light touch in this enjoyable British farce featuring a stellar cast. Go to Full Review
J.A. Conner Santa Cruz Sentinel Mar 8, 2019
Alternating between slapstick satire and black comedy, A Private Function is full meal of comic study and insight. Go to Full Review
Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film Jul 17, 2017
5/5
Bennett's script gently mocks his characters, while also maintaining a level of understanding. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Hermione Jul 16, 2017 ***BRITISH CAPER COMEDY RECIPE: 1-PART "BABE" AND 1-PART "A FISH CALLED WANDA"***
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A Private Function

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Malcolm Mowbray

Director

Michael Palin

Gilbert Chilvers

Maggie Smith

Joyce Chilvers

Denholm Elliott

Dr. Charles Swaby

Liz Smith

Joyce's Mother

Richard Griffiths

Henry Allardyce the Accountant

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A Private Function

A Private Function (1984) A Private Function (1984) A Private Function (1984) A Private Function (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the summer of 1947, Britain prepares to commemorate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. To get around food-rationing laws, Dr. Charles Swaby (Denholm Elliott), accountant Henry Allardyce (Richard Griffiths) and solicitor Frank Lockwood (John Normington) are fattening a black-market pig for the big day. Egged on by his wife (Maggie Smith), meek Gilbert Chilvers (Michael Palin) steals the swine, but the couple must conceal it from Inspector Morris Wormold (Bill Paterson).
Director
Malcolm Mowbray
Producer
Mark Shivas
Screenwriter
Alan Bennett, Malcolm Mowbray
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
British English
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 8, 2011
Runtime
1h 33m
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