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Product Description
MORRIS: A LIFE WITH BELLS ON
A film that will have even the most cynical viewer reaching for their white handkerchiefs, MORRIS: A LIFE WITH BELLS ON stars Charles Thomas Oldham as Derecq Twist, along with Sir Derek Jacobi (The Golden Compass), Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World s End), Ian Hart (A Cock and Bull Story), Dominique Pinon (Delicatessen), Sophie Thompson (Eastenders) Harriet Walter (The Young Victoria), Aidan McArdle (The Duchess), and Greg Wise (Sense and Sensibility).
Described as This is Spinal Tap meets Calendar Girls, the film follows the fortunes of an avant-garde Morris team in their struggle to push the boundaries of the venerable, ancient dance. Set around the country pub The Travellers Staff, the docu-style comedy proves that Morris is not just an innocent pub pastime involving hanky-waving and bearded men with staffs, but also that it has its politics-laden, ultra-competitive side too.
The Millsham Morris men and their leader Derecq Twist are determined to achieve Morris perfection. But Derecq is also preparing to set the Morris world alight by performing the ultimate dance within the Morris firmament, the legendary Threeple Hammer Damson. As if this is not enough, he is in addition pioneering an innovative, daringly freeform brand of the dance dubbed Extreme Morris, drawing the anger of traditionalist elements within the Morris community. When Millsham unveil their creation in competition, the Morris Circle the governing body of Morris in the UK - bans Derecq from future competition. Totally devastated by the decision, Derecq embarks on a global odyssey through tragedy and triumph, which gravely tests his passion for Morris.
www.morrismovie.com
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Biographies, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: MORRIS: A LIFE WITH BELLS ONA film that will have even the most cynical viewer reaching for their white handkerchiefs, MORRIS: A LIFE WITH BELLS ON stars Charles Thomas Oldham as Derecq Twist, along with Sir Derek Jacobi (The Golden Compass), Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World s End), Ian Hart (A Cock and Bull Story), Dominique Pinon (Delicatessen), Sophie Thompson (Eastenders) Harriet Walter (The Young Victoria), Aidan McArdle (The Duchess), and Greg Wise (Sense and Sensibility).Described as This is Spinal Tap meets Calendar Girls, the film follows the fortunes of an avant-garde Morris team in their struggle to push the boundaries of the venerable, ancient dance. Set around the country pub The Travellers Staff, the docu-style comedy proves that Morris is not just an innocent pub pastime involving hanky-waving and bearded men with staffs, but also that it has its politics-laden, ultra-competitive side too.The Millsham Morris men and their leader Derecq Twist are determined to achieve Morris perfection. But Derecq is also preparing to set the Morris world alight by performing the ultimate dance within the Morris firmament, the legendary Threeple Hammer Damson. As if this is not enough, he is in addition pioneering an innovative, daringly freeform brand of the dance dubbed Extreme Morris, drawing the anger of traditionalist elements within the Morris community. When Millsham unveil their creation in competition, the Morris Circle the governing body of Morris in the UK - bans Derecq from future competition. Totally devastated by the decision, Derecq embarks on a global odyssey through tragedy and triumph, ...Morris: A Life with Bells On
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Beerbadger
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
My husband and I went to see this at our local Picture House purely because the premise of a comedy all about Morris dancing was too silly to overlook, plus I was intrigued by press reports on the struggles which the makers had to get this to distribution. The cinema experience was fairly surreal as the rest of the theatre was taken up by numerous Morris dancing groups complete with jangling bells and staves, but judging by the reaction everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.
'Morris: A Life With Bells On' is is a beautifully-made small independent British film, enhancing the pedigree of bigger-budget British comedies of yore - an observational comedy with pathos that is clearly rooted in an affection for all things Morris-related, whilst appreciating that there is something unavoidably funny about Morris dancing. I am no Morris dancer and certainly not 'alternative' but I enjoyed this film more than I ever imagined, and have been boring others about it ever since. A particularly large coconut or cigar should go to Richard Lumsden for his music, which stands on its own merits as a beautiful collection as well as being an excellent and complementary film score.
'Morris: A Life With Bells On' is is a beautifully-made small independent British film, enhancing the pedigree of bigger-budget British comedies of yore - an observational comedy with pathos that is clearly rooted in an affection for all things Morris-related, whilst appreciating that there is something unavoidably funny about Morris dancing. I am no Morris dancer and certainly not 'alternative' but I enjoyed this film more than I ever imagined, and have been boring others about it ever since. A particularly large coconut or cigar should go to Richard Lumsden for his music, which stands on its own merits as a beautiful collection as well as being an excellent and complementary film score.
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By P. G. Lort
Format:DVD
I admit it. I'm a Morris Dancer. So I'm probably biased. I saw it with my partner (a non-dancer). And both of us never stopped laughing. Admittedly I was laughing for different reasons sometimes, but what the heck. We had an audience that were predominantly Morris, and it was like being at a folk eqivalent of Rocky Horror....interactive.
This is the sort of film that could have only come from Britain. It's funny, moving, sad...in fact runs the gamut of emotions. Well scripted, directed, filmed and acted.....and more to the point, well danced!!!
This film deserves to be seen by many more people....
And yes, I (and a couple of friends) want to join Orange County Morris.
This is the sort of film that could have only come from Britain. It's funny, moving, sad...in fact runs the gamut of emotions. Well scripted, directed, filmed and acted.....and more to the point, well danced!!!
This film deserves to be seen by many more people....
And yes, I (and a couple of friends) want to join Orange County Morris.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Bunbury
Format:DVD
I confess I'm not a Morris dancer, nor a particular follower of anyone waiving hankies, crashing sticks (no doubt they have a technical name) or dancing with bells on, BUT this was an absolute first-rate, must-see British-made film with a quintessentially English plot, and some first-rate actors and acting. I was lucky enough to see it in its rare first-round screening and hope that reaching a wider audience it may be screened further in cinemas across the globe.
For a great evening with a DVD, a pork pie and pint of beer it is a must (works well too with smoked salmon and champagne - or chocolate and a mug of coffee - or...).
Support British rural arts (and film-making) and buy a copy (then support your local Morris Troupe)!
For a great evening with a DVD, a pork pie and pint of beer it is a must (works well too with smoked salmon and champagne - or chocolate and a mug of coffee - or...).
Support British rural arts (and film-making) and buy a copy (then support your local Morris Troupe)!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ok, but disappointing
I've wanted to watch this for a long time but the price of the DVD meant I had to wait until the price dropped. I got my copy 2nd hand on ebay. What a disappointment. Read more
Published 2 months ago by JR_Devon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ding a ling ling!
I gave this top marks because I like quirky films. And this is funny.
I watched this with out reading the critic on the box because sometimes you are disappointed when a film... Read more
I watched this with out reading the critic on the box because sometimes you are disappointed when a film... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Soothing Sole
1.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely disappointing
Was hoping this would be an amusing film, especially given the comparison with Spinal Tap. Some good cast members & acting, but very, very amateurish script. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Watcher
3.0 out of 5 stars
Slower than expected
Funny in parts but seems to take things to far towards the extreme. It might suit other people's humour, but we stopped just before the end. Shame as a good cast!
Published 3 months ago by Ms McLaren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique film
Written, co-produced and & performed by a colleague. I didn't even know this film existed till I saw a promo for it as a preamble on another cultish dvd .. The Lock In. Read more
Published 3 months ago by thespian69
3.0 out of 5 stars
Morris who?
As this was filmed around my area, and was sold out wherever it was shown locally, all be it in community halls etc, I had very high hopes for this low budget offering. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pat W
4.0 out of 5 stars
Morris On
Nice film, nothing challenging, but a pleasant watch. For the lover of Morris they may have complaints, but I think its a film, it doesn't claim to be reverential to Morris but I... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. B. ASHTON
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bells for Morris!
A wonderful film! A gentle and very English spoof and I have only one complaint, that there was not enough dancing shown. I should have loved to have seen a whole Morris Dance. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sonya Ann Porter
1.0 out of 5 stars
Tripe, tat & rubbish!
Let's ignore the fact that I have danced the Morris since the mid-70s and been a traditional singer since the early 60s and let's just look at it as a film. Read more
Published 11 months ago by P. T. Harries
4.0 out of 5 stars
It had bells on.
I bought this film because the product review made it sound like it could be fun. It certainly was! It was filmed as a mockumentary and was truly a good laugh. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lorna Symonds
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