A Private Function
- 1984 film
Satire about food rationing and social climbing, set amidst post-war austerity Britain. Stars Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Richard Griffiths, Tony Haygarth and more.
Key details
- Genre
- Film
- Released
- 1984
- Creators
- Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray
- Stars
- Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Richard Griffiths, Tony Haygarth, John Normington, Bill Paterson, Liz Smith and more
- Writer
- Alan Bennett
- Director
- Malcolm Mowbray
- Producers
- Mark Shivas, George Harrison and Denis O'Brien
- Company
In post-war, austerity 1947 Britain, life is dominated by food rationing and the strict orders of social climbing.
And in a small Yorkshire town, near the top of the social pecking order are the local property owner, doctor and account; a trio of businessmen who've got together with a local farmer to raise an illicit pig in order to impress county bigwigs by hosting a sumptuous dinner to celebrate heir to the throne Princess Elizabeth's marriage to Prince Philip.
For newcomers Joyce Chilvers and husband Gilbert, a chiropodist, life is very different indeed. She longs to climb the ladder of local society but his business annoys Doctor Swavey from the off, and a series of unfortunate mishaps don't help matters any.
However, with local inspector Wormold on a tyrannical hunt for illegal meat, Joyce spots an opportunity when Gilbert stumbles across the group's pig, Betty, secreted in nearby woodland. It seems that a spot of good old-fashioned blackmail is called for.
Stream and download
Additional details
- UK certificate
- 15
- Duration
- 94 minutes
- UK release
- Friday 23rd November 1984
- Production
- Studio
- Picture
- Colour
- Soundtrack
- Music composed and conducted by John Du Prez, performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Website links
Broadcast details
- Most recent repeats
-
- Thursday 7th September 2023 at 1:50am on TPTV
- Wednesday 31st May 2023 at 11:15pm on TPTV
- Monday 20th February 2023 at 9:00pm on TPTV