- Actors: Cliff Richard, Dora Bryan, Avril Angers, Ann Holloway, Geoffrey Bayldon
- Directors: James F. Collier
- Writers: Stella Linden
- Producers: Frank R. Jacobson
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Dd Video
- VHS Release Date: 18 Nov 2002
- Run Time: 98 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00006LSGA
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 15,424 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having become a 'born again Christian' in 1965, Cliff Richard made a brief departure from his musical films to take the lead role in "Two A Penny".
Jamie Hopkins (Cliff) plays a "ducking and diving" young man who lives with his mother (Dora Bryan) and steals drugs from the doctor's surgery where she is employed. His similarly unscrupulous girlfriend Carol (Ann Holloway) leads a similarly amoral life which changes dramatically following her conversion to Christianity during a visit to a traveling religious crusade fronted by evangelist Billy Graham (himself). As a result of her conversion, Carol attempts to show her boyfriend the light. However, Jamie's only interested in sex, drinking at his local pub (where he belts out a great version of 'Twist & Shout') and making easy money. He comes to grief when he decides to
double-cross the gang that buys the stolen drugs. As a consequence, he begins to ask questions about his lifestyle; questions that Carol endeavors to answer from a Christian perspective. Does Jamie finally turn to God for help? This little-seen gem of a movie is full of surprises (not least of which is Cliff's acting ability; he turns in a very convincing performance) and I'm not going to spoil the ending. Cliff also penned 3 songs for the soundtrack: "Two A Penny", "I'll Love You Forever Today" and "Questions".
The film caused some controversy on its release in 1967. It was premiered at the 'Prince Charles Cinema' in Soho, London for a number of weeks but, because the aim of the film was to promote Christianity, it was deemed by cinema distributors to be 'out of step' during the swinging 60's and it never went on general release. In stark contrast, religious communities criticised the film's content; some scenes were considered too raunchy and the overall storyline too 'earthy'. Consequently, the movie suffered a quick demise in this country. To my knowledge, it has never been screened on TV (terrestrial or satellite) in the UK.
It has now been resurrected and restored on DVD (with extra footage) and Video (VHS). Highly recommended.
Jamie Hopkins (Cliff) plays a "ducking and diving" young man who lives with his mother (Dora Bryan) and steals drugs from the doctor's surgery where she is employed. His similarly unscrupulous girlfriend Carol (Ann Holloway) leads a similarly amoral life which changes dramatically following her conversion to Christianity during a visit to a traveling religious crusade fronted by evangelist Billy Graham (himself). As a result of her conversion, Carol attempts to show her boyfriend the light. However, Jamie's only interested in sex, drinking at his local pub (where he belts out a great version of 'Twist & Shout') and making easy money. He comes to grief when he decides to
double-cross the gang that buys the stolen drugs. As a consequence, he begins to ask questions about his lifestyle; questions that Carol endeavors to answer from a Christian perspective. Does Jamie finally turn to God for help? This little-seen gem of a movie is full of surprises (not least of which is Cliff's acting ability; he turns in a very convincing performance) and I'm not going to spoil the ending. Cliff also penned 3 songs for the soundtrack: "Two A Penny", "I'll Love You Forever Today" and "Questions".
The film caused some controversy on its release in 1967. It was premiered at the 'Prince Charles Cinema' in Soho, London for a number of weeks but, because the aim of the film was to promote Christianity, it was deemed by cinema distributors to be 'out of step' during the swinging 60's and it never went on general release. In stark contrast, religious communities criticised the film's content; some scenes were considered too raunchy and the overall storyline too 'earthy'. Consequently, the movie suffered a quick demise in this country. To my knowledge, it has never been screened on TV (terrestrial or satellite) in the UK.
It has now been resurrected and restored on DVD (with extra footage) and Video (VHS). Highly recommended.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For someone who never had any formal training as an actor / singer, Cliff puts in a decent performance in this little-known, late 60s gem. He'd already been in a few other films by this time (Expresso Bongo, Summer Holiday and some other film which I haven't seen yet - the title of which escapes me). This film, "Two a Penny" is by far the most interesting out of all the Cliff films I have seen. I actually quite like it - and no I'm not a die-hard Cliff fan!
I was particularly interested in seeing "Two a Penny" to see how realistically Cliff plays the role of "bad guy" Jamie Hopkins, who is involved in theft, drug deals, violence and, almost, attempted rape. This type of character seems so remote from "Cliff" it must surely need some real acting? I would be lying if I said I found his portrayal totally convincing - there are moments in the film where he tries too consciously to sound more working-class, and this seems slightly at odds with his middle-class "Cliffiness" which shines through. Compare the way Jamie speaks to the way his mother (excellently played by Dora Bryan) speaks and you will notice a class inconsistency that is slightly too wide.
Though at times a little theatrical, Cliff's acting is far from hammy. He was a very good-looking guy with presence and a very distinctive voice, and I can imagine at the time would have made him a real hearthrob. It is easy to see why Cliff, like the protagonist he plays, is not "Two a Penny." The character of Jamie Hopkins is essentially a lovable rogue, a cocky, colourful cad who aspires to higher things in life. Cliff portrays him very well, perhaps due to the fact that he shares the character's ambition???
It's important to judge films in the context of the era in which they are made, and, for its time, "Two a Penny" is quite innovative, daring even, in some of the storylines and issues it raises. It is very "new wave" and evokes the exciting mood of central London in the swinging 60s.
All in all this is a great little film that I am pleased to have in my collection. One thing I particularly like about this film is that there is no huge moment where the bad guy suddenly sees the light and turns into a saint. Jamie gets more or less disowned by his mother, and appears to START to repent his ways.....or does he? Watch it and decide for yourself!
I was particularly interested in seeing "Two a Penny" to see how realistically Cliff plays the role of "bad guy" Jamie Hopkins, who is involved in theft, drug deals, violence and, almost, attempted rape. This type of character seems so remote from "Cliff" it must surely need some real acting? I would be lying if I said I found his portrayal totally convincing - there are moments in the film where he tries too consciously to sound more working-class, and this seems slightly at odds with his middle-class "Cliffiness" which shines through. Compare the way Jamie speaks to the way his mother (excellently played by Dora Bryan) speaks and you will notice a class inconsistency that is slightly too wide.
Though at times a little theatrical, Cliff's acting is far from hammy. He was a very good-looking guy with presence and a very distinctive voice, and I can imagine at the time would have made him a real hearthrob. It is easy to see why Cliff, like the protagonist he plays, is not "Two a Penny." The character of Jamie Hopkins is essentially a lovable rogue, a cocky, colourful cad who aspires to higher things in life. Cliff portrays him very well, perhaps due to the fact that he shares the character's ambition???
It's important to judge films in the context of the era in which they are made, and, for its time, "Two a Penny" is quite innovative, daring even, in some of the storylines and issues it raises. It is very "new wave" and evokes the exciting mood of central London in the swinging 60s.
All in all this is a great little film that I am pleased to have in my collection. One thing I particularly like about this film is that there is no huge moment where the bad guy suddenly sees the light and turns into a saint. Jamie gets more or less disowned by his mother, and appears to START to repent his ways.....or does he? Watch it and decide for yourself!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Pretty surprise that Cliff could perform such dramatic character in this film. Yea It affrims that telling lies and cheating would not pay well at the end of the day. The ending should have shown more dramatic sadness or remorseness of Jamie in order to send the message across the board that crime does not pay. I think in general,this film is good esp.for Cliff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
If this was made to promote christianity - IT DIDN'T WORK!
We have a cinema at the old folks home where I work, they have loved watching all the Cliff films, 5 people walked out of this! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lesley-Anne Vest
two a penny
bought this dvd as I had heard of the film but never seen it.
couldn#t watch it without cringing. cliff is great singer but can't act. Read more
couldn#t watch it without cringing. cliff is great singer but can't act. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ronald Bucknall
Dated But A Good Movie for the Period
I saw Two a Penny in the theater in 1971. It was part if a church campaign and after going to the theater, groups would get together to discuss the message in the film. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by Judith A. Amass
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