See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
A Private Function [DVD] [1984]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

A Private Function [DVD] [1984]

DVD ~ Michael Palin
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


1 used from £62.25
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Private Function [1984] [DVD]
69% buy
A Private Function [1984] [DVD] 4.5 out of 5 stars (4)
A Private Function [DVD] [1984]
25% buy the item featured on this page:
A Private Function [DVD] [1984] 4.7 out of 5 stars (3)
The History Boys [DVD] [2006]
6% buy
The History Boys [DVD] [2006] 3.4 out of 5 stars (82)
£3.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Richard Griffiths, Tony Haygarth
  • Directors: Malcolm Mowbray
  • Writers: Malcolm Mowbray, Alan Bennett
  • Producers: Denis O'Brien, George Harrison, Mark Shivas
  • Format: PAL, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Anchor Bay Home Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 24 Mar 2003
  • Run Time: 92 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00008MJ2P
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 50,149 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Reviews

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
16:9 Wide Screen
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\DTS English\Dolby Surround 2.0 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
DTS
Dolby Surround 2.0
Commentary Track Featuring Michael Palin And Malcolm Mowbray And Alan Bennett
Cast Biographies
Film Notes


Synopsis
This satiric British comedy follows the efforts of a small community to fatten a pig during the time following the Second World War when ham was contraband due to short supplies. Michael Palin and Maggie Smith star.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Missionary [1983] [DVD]

The Missionary [1983] [DVD]

3.3 out of 5 stars (3)  £5.89
The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne [1988] [DVD]

The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne [1988] [DVD]

DVD ~ Maggie Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £7.79
A Private Function [1984] [DVD]

A Private Function [1984] [DVD]

DVD ~ Michael Palin
4.5 out of 5 stars (4) 
Pierrepoint [DVD] [2006]

Pierrepoint [DVD] [2006]

DVD ~ Timothy Spall
4.3 out of 5 stars (37)  £4.48
My House In Umbria [DVD] [2003]

My House In Umbria [DVD] [2003]

DVD ~ Maggie Smith
3.8 out of 5 stars (19)  £3.98
› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I miss the war, Gilbert., 9 Sep 2000
By Mr. H. P. Pitfield "bayards" (London UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: A Private Function (1984) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Maggie Smith and Liz Smith - what a combination. The film evokes the bleak period of the post War years in ration Britain. Alan Bennett fans will love the dry wit, the one-liners and performances of "cringing nancy" Gilbert (Palin), Mother "she's 74 you know" (Liz Smith) and a cast of actors you'll recognise from later productions such as "Brassed Off" and "Withnail and I". If only this would be transferred to DVD - my copy is played to death. All I can say is "them's having cream cakes!".
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An English classic, 20 Jun 2002
This review is from: A Private Function (1984) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Absolutely classic portrayal of English manners in a small town in the post-war period, but most of the humour is timeless and side-splittingly funny; some of it is pure slapstick, but there is a lot of sly wit behind the wonderfully-written script (by Alan Bennett, the master of social observation).
Circumstances may change, but people don't and you will recognise all the character types.
Maggie Smith is in fine form as the wife of a chiropodist, prepared to do anything to climb the ladder of social success - although Keeping a pig with diarrhoea in the kitchen of a small house tests her resolve to the limit! Richard Griffiths and Michael Palin excel in their different ways as mild-mannered men oppressed by their womenfolk. Denholm Elliot delivers a classic performance as the extrovert, charming leader of the social elite.
Absolutely delightful and, like the previous reviewer, I can only beg for this to be released on DVD to delight a new audience (and so I can replace my VHS tape before it's completely worn out!).
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars side-splitting, 31 Dec 2005
By Hill Walker "Pennine Dweller" (The Pennines of course!) - See all my reviews
There are moments during this film when one's lower abdomen is close to requiring surgery following the helpless laughter which grips so tightly. Jolly good old british fun!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject






i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

Fun for Everyone

Christmas Gifts
Achieve over 15,000 RPM with our great range of Powerballs.

›Shop the Powerball store

  

Make A Wish

Get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List.

›More info on Wish Lists

  

Boys Smell

Lynx Africa Body Spray and After Shave Gift set
But we make sure they smell good...

›Discover male grooming at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates