The Bed Sitting Room (1969)

The Bed Sitting Room (1969) (DVD) (*)

Out of Stock

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Berlin International Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
90 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Short Film
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 1969 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Richard Lester

Written By:
John Antrobus

Actors:
Rita Tushingham ..... Penelope
Ralph Richardson ..... Lord Fortnum of Alamein
Peter Cook ..... Inspector
Harry Secombe ..... Shelter Man
Dudley Moore ..... Sergeant
Spike Milligan ..... Mate
Michael Hordern ..... Bules Martin
Roy Kinnear ..... Plastic mac man
Jimmy Edwards ..... Nigel
Richard Warwick ..... Allan
Arthur Lowe ..... Father
Mona Washbourne ..... Mother
Ronald Fraser ..... The Army
Dandy Nichols ..... Mrs Ethel Shroake
Frank Thornton ..... The BBC

Synopsis:

Post-apocalypse England. The 20 survivors of the nuclear war carrying on as best they can. They have a new queen (Mrs Ethel Shroake of 393A High Street, Leytonstone) and have managed to re-establish some semblance of British society. Admittedly young Penelope is 17 months pregnant and Lord Fortnum has decided to become an old English estate (he eventually settles for turning himself into a bed sitting room) but the British way of life continues. Fundamental standards such as "stiff upper lip", "know your place" and, above all, "preserve the status quo" are being rigorously upheld as life in the wreckage goes on. This 1969 absurdist triumph began life as a one act play by Spike Milligan and John Antrobus that was quickly expanded to a full stage production. Eventually it fell to Richard Lester, the director who practically defined British cinema in the 60s (Hard Days Night, Help) to put this bizarre, minimalist anarchy onto the big screen.

In the hazy aftermath of World War III, the fallout from a 'nuclear misunderstanding' (which lasted two minutes and twenty eight seconds, including the signing of the peace treaty) is producing strange mutations amongst the survivors, and the noble Lord Fortnum finds himself transforming into a bed-sitting room. This vividly imagined, darkly satirical filmic version of a post apocalyptic England, directed by Richard Lester (A Hard Days Night, How I Won the War, The Knack) is based on the highly regarded play by Spike Milligan and John Antrobus. It also boasts great performances by the cream of 60s British comedy and acting talent: Rita Tushingham, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook, Harry Secombe, Dudley Moore, Spike Milligan, Michael Horden, Roy Kinnear, Arthur Lowe, Dandy Nichols and Marty Feldman.

The specter of atomic warfare raises its head once again in this bizarre 1969 black comedy, directed by Richard Lester and hatched from the mind of twisted British comic Spike Milligan.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 21 October, 2012.