- Actors: Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith, Alison Steadman, Diana Quick, Jeremy Clyde
- Directors: Michael Tuchner
- Writers: Andrew Marshall, David Renwick, Tom Sharpe
- Producers: Brian Eastman
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Rank
- DVD Release Date: 7 July 2003
- Run Time: 92 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00009QNU6
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 85,407 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the novel by Tom Sharpe, Wilt reunites the considerable comic talents of Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones in a farcical tale of a missing wife, an overzealous law enforcement officer and a blow-up doll. The titular hero Henry Wilt (Jones) is a liberal-studies lecturer condemned to teaching students on day-release from the local pie factory. As if this wasn't demoralising enough he is regularly emasculated by his bossy wife Eva (Alison Steadman); after a particularly embarrassing party he finds himself in possession of an inflatable playmate, which he unceremoniously dumps at a local building site. Unfortunately, not only is he spotted, but his wife goes missing the same day, leaving a very tenacious Inspector Flint (Smith) determined to catch this suburban criminal. Jones is superb as the henpecked husband and Smith pulls of a fantastically clichéd, but hugely entertaining PC plod. It's a minor British comedy gem from a time when Four Weddings and a Funeral was merely a glint in Richard Curtis' eye. --Kristen Bowditch
DVD Description
An inflatable love story! Comedy double act Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones (Not the None O’Clock News, Bean) star in Tom Sharpe’s comic farce. At a party Henry Wilt (Griff Rhys Jones) finds himself in an embarrassing position with an inflatable doll and decides to rid himself of the evidence by dumping it in a hole on a building site. When it is discovered that his wife has gone missing, local Inspector Flint (Mel Smith) suspects that what is in the hole is a body, and Wilt is suspected of murder. Based on the best-selling novel by Tom Sharpe.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant adaptation of a brilliant book.,
By
This review is from: Wilt [1988] [DVD] (DVD)
I saw this film before reading the book by Tom Sharpe, and although some say that pretty much ruins the reading for you, I'm still glad I did, as when I came to reading the book I could 'hear' the voices of Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith in their respective characters in my head, which made it all the more enjoyable. I'd bought it largely because I'm a fan of Smith and Jones' work (their 'news for the elderly' sketch is one of the funniest things I've ever seen), so despite a number of mixed reviews elsewhere my expectations were still fairly high.
The film itself does differ in places to the book, although this didn't really matter to me. It moves along at a steady pace and there are enough funny moments to keep the viewer's attention. The performances are excellent, particularly that of Griff Rhys Jones, who plays the title character. His range veers from anger (directed at a blow-up doll he's trying to get rid of in one of the funniest scenes in the film) to quiet bewilderment as he is continuously questioned by Mel Smith's Inspector Flint, who puts in a performance good enough to make you sympathise with him, despite his heavy-handedness. The two main actresses, Alison Steadman and Diana Quick, also bring their characters to life. Steadman's Eva differs quite strongly (physically at least) from Tom Sharpe's version yet this does not detract from either of them. I do feel that the film could've benefited from a bit more length - perhaps more time could've gone into Wilt's life at home and the college, as well as his relationship with Eva (more exploration into her faddish nature), but this is a minor fault. Overall this is an excellent film that can be rewatched and still make you laugh. The humour ranges from the small one-liners to outright farce, which creates a film with a pretty broad comic appeal. The extras are pretty good too: interviews with Smith, Jones and the director, as well as some brief location footage. Not bad for a British film in the late 80s!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!!,
By Midget (Hull, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wilt [1988] [DVD] (DVD)
When I saw this film had Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones in it I thought it must be funny and watched it. So glad I did! Excellent plotline, with some cracking pieces of script and real laugh-out-loud moments. Recommend this film to anyone with a funny bone!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wilt's rubber tango in East Anglia - not to be missed!!,
By
This review is from: Wilt [Special Edition] [DVD] (DVD)
Wilt - faithful attention to the book on the whole, some deviation (blow-up doll aside) but nonetheless both book and film hugely entertaining. Tom Sharpes' acid wit is brought to life in this sardonic swipe at the Police Forces who 'protect and serve' us, and bureaucracy, served up on the same plate with our sympathy being evoked for Wilty. Causing us to ponder on the lives of those other poor devils who are obliged to try and teach in similar environments. Its seems obvious where Sharpe's sympathies lie in the book and this transposes well to the film, the characters of Wilt and Inspector Flint are portrayed brilliantly by that well known comedy duo 'Smith & Jones'. The dialogue, as in the book, is magic! Wilt being tied to a Blow-Up doll, falsely accused of murder, and vainly protesting his innocence. Maintaining the theme of farce, the piece of evidence that could have 'cleared' him, had been used by a toilet-roll challenged Wilt to serve an urgent 'bathroom' need. Tom Sharpe's literary swipes at the corrupt, powerful, snobbish and any other eligible targets never fail to deliver with copious doses of humour, irreverent and bizarre situations and truck loads of irony. To see his books brought to life on film or TV is precious and not to be missed. This film is hugely entertaining. I would suggest an 'evening in' with the DVD and any other like minded individuals and be entertained. Really entertained.
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