A Private Function (1984)
- Starring:
- Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, (more)
- Director(s):
- Malcolm Mowbray
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Comedy
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A British couple's attempts to circumvent local food-rationing regulations trigger a chaotic series of events in this satirical comedy set in post-World War II England. The couple's scheme centers on a massive hog which has been illegally raised by a local farmer. Seeing a chance to capitalize on pork's scarcity, the ambitious Joyce Chilvers (Maggie Smith) convinces her mild-mannered husband (Michael Palin) to steal the pig. Unfortunately for the Chilverses, a vigilant food inspector is on duty and determined to stop all such illegal activity. The couple's efforts to hide the pig provide much material for frantic and sometimes grotesque farce. Playwright Alan Bennett's acerbic targets the British class system and the wife's social ambitions. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 96 mins
Complete Cast:
- Michael Palin - Gilbert Chilvers
- Liz Smith - Mother
- Richard Griffiths - Henry Allardyce
- Bill Paterson - Maurice Wormold
- Alison Steadman - Mrs. Allardyce
- Jim Carter - Inspector Noble
- Elijah Wood - Ernest
- Bernard Wrigley - Painter
- Susan Porrett - Mrs. Medcalf
- Josie Lane - Mrs. Beavers
- Don Estelle - Barraclough
- Charles McKeown - Medcalf
- Rachel Davies - Mrs. Forbes
- Reece Dinsdale - P.C. Penny
- Denys Hawthorne - Hotel Manager
- Maggie Smith - Joyce Chilvers
- Denholm Elliott - Dr. Charles Swaby
- John Normington - Frank Lockwood
- Anthony Haygarth - Bernard Sutcliffe
- Pete Postlethwaite - Nuttol
- Lee Daley - Painter's Boy
- David Morgan - Marvin
- Paula Tilbrook - Mrs. Turnbull
- Maggie Ollerenshaw - Woman
- Amanda Gregan - Veronica
- Gilly Coman - Dorothy
- Philip Whileman - Preston
- Eileen O'Brien - Mrs. Sutcliff
- Donald Eccles - Father
- Director(s):
- Malcolm Mowbray
- Writer(s):
- Alan Bennett
- Producer(s):
- George Harrison, Denis O'Brien, Mark Shivas
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Not For Children, Adult Situations, Adult Language)
- Categories:
- Comedy
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1984 - A Private Function - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actress
- 1984 - A Private Function - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Supporting Actor
- 1984 - A Private Function - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Supporting Actress
