Porridge (1979)

Genius TV show translates well for fun packed movie.

Porridge is a spin off film from the successful TV series of the same name that aired on British BBC1 between 1974 and 1977. It's directed by Dick Clement who also co-writes with Ian La Frenais. It stars Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde and Peter Vaughn.

Lets face it, and lets be honest here, for many Brits who grew up with the TV show, Porridge is simply one of the greatest shows Britain has ever produced. Sharp and on the money in writing and characterisations, and boasting a cast that were always irresistible, it still manages to enthral millions today during continuous reruns on cable and satellite TV. In light of the regard and popularity the show had, it was perhaps inevitable that a film production was just a matter of time, because, well, all the great British comedies of the past had feature films made. But of course not all were particularly any good.

So it's with much relief to find that the film version of Porridge is a very decent offering. The plot sees Fletcher (Barker) involved as the manager of the prison football team, to which, unbeknown to the wily old lag, is being used as a front for an escape attempt by Oakes (Barrie Rutter), and naturally the smarmy menace of Grouty (Vaughn) is pulling the strings. Fletcher & Godber (Beckinsale) then accidentally get caught up in the escape and thus have to break back into the prison before anyone catches them! This set-up is wonderful and makes for some very funny comedy, executed with aplomb by Barker, Mackay and co. True that taking the characters out of the confines of the prison strips away much of what made the TV series so special, but the characters are so strong, the actors chemistry so evident, film stands tall enough to not sully the reputation of the show.

It's a delightful way to spend an hour and half with your feet up, as a stand alone film it entertains those not familiar with the TV show. While for us fans? It sits nicely alongside the show as an extended viewing of comic genius behind and in front of the camera. 8/10

R.I.P. fellas, your legacy lives on always.

Building on the huge success of the BBC Television series, this time we join the career petty criminal "Fletcher" (Ronnie Barker) and cellmate "Lenny" (Richard Beckinsale) in their Cumbrian wilderness prison where they regularly spar with chief warder "Mackay" (Fulton Mackay) and bamboozle the kindly "Barrowclough" (Brian Wilde). The van turns up one afternoon carrying two new arrivals. One is "Oakes" (Barrie Rutter) the other, well he's the new prison officer "Beal" (Christopher Godwin). The former is a bit of an heavy and it's soon clear that with the help of de facto prison governor "Grouty" (Peter Vaughan) he won't be staying long. To that end, "Fletch" is encouraged to organise a celebrity football match during which their latest inmate will do some body-swapping and make his escape. Of course, it nearly goes to plan but the unwitting "Lenny" manages to clash with a goalpost and next thing, they are both in the baggage hold of a bus heading to freedom. Abandoned by "Oakes" they conclude their best plan now is to break back in... There are some cracking one-liners and witty rhymes from the on-form Barker and he tussles engagingly with an equally on form Mackay who plays the pompous warden with considerable skill - both have super comedy timing. Beckinsale doesn't feature quite so much here, but is always good value as is Peter Vaughan as the cultured, opera-loving, version of "Mr. Bridger" and a really well cast group of supporting actors. They tried a few film versions of popular comedies in the 1970s and I think this is probably the best - it can still make you laugh.