Increasingly desperate to stay viable, in the 1970's the British film industry grasped at the idea of making movie versions of popular TV comedy shows, figuring audiences would go to the cinema to see what they enjoyed in their own homes every week. At first, these were very successful - the first 'On The Buses' film did better UK box office than 'Diamonds are Forever' in 1971. Soon the formula was stretched paper-thin by repetition and serious mistakes were made (the 'Rising Damp' film version failed because it had to move out of Rigsby's scruffy house, the fantasy of the setting was part of the show's success).
Two major exceptions were both written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. 'The Likely Lads', produced by British Lion in 1976, had a streak of melancholy and a view of human relationships which made for a very downbeat comedy indeed.
For the film version of 'Porridge' Clement and La Frenais not only wrote the script but produced (through their own company Witzend) and directed. As a result the characters are not changed or put into the fish-out-of-water situations that were standard for this type of film, such as the staff of Grace Brothers holidaying on the 'Costa Plonka' (yes, that is supposed to make you laugh) in 'Are You Being Served?'.
So we are safely in Slade Prison, just with a bit more location work. Fletcher, Godber, McKay, Barrowclough and 'Genial' Harry Grout are all in place. More important, they are still the characters from the TV series, not altered to fit the new medium. The relationships between them are less intimate because of the need to open the story out but it all works. The plot is slightly recycled from a TV Christmas special (Fletcher coerced by Harry Grout into helping in an escape attempt, although this time he does not realise he is being used) but it was worth revisiting.
One interesting feature of the film is the lack of any music soundtrack. This keeps the link with the TV version and gives the action an air of reality, even though we are watching a comedy-fantasy version of prison life.
Above all, it is funny - laugh out loud, gloriously funny. The TV half-hours are truly great programmes, but this version can stand proudly alongside them and be watched and enjoyed for itself. Very, very highly recommended.
Two major exceptions were both written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. 'The Likely Lads', produced by British Lion in 1976, had a streak of melancholy and a view of human relationships which made for a very downbeat comedy indeed.
For the film version of 'Porridge' Clement and La Frenais not only wrote the script but produced (through their own company Witzend) and directed. As a result the characters are not changed or put into the fish-out-of-water situations that were standard for this type of film, such as the staff of Grace Brothers holidaying on the 'Costa Plonka' (yes, that is supposed to make you laugh) in 'Are You Being Served?'.
So we are safely in Slade Prison, just with a bit more location work. Fletcher, Godber, McKay, Barrowclough and 'Genial' Harry Grout are all in place. More important, they are still the characters from the TV series, not altered to fit the new medium. The relationships between them are less intimate because of the need to open the story out but it all works. The plot is slightly recycled from a TV Christmas special (Fletcher coerced by Harry Grout into helping in an escape attempt, although this time he does not realise he is being used) but it was worth revisiting.
One interesting feature of the film is the lack of any music soundtrack. This keeps the link with the TV version and gives the action an air of reality, even though we are watching a comedy-fantasy version of prison life.
Above all, it is funny - laugh out loud, gloriously funny. The TV half-hours are truly great programmes, but this version can stand proudly alongside them and be watched and enjoyed for itself. Very, very highly recommended.