Normally, tv sitcoms never translate well to the big screen. I mean, they're fun enough but there are some (George & Mildred, Rising Damp, and the first Steptoe & Son movie to name a few) that are as much fun as pulling out your teeth without anesthesia. Porridge, on the other hand, is one of the better ones. In fact, I'd say its by far the very best one.
The plot sees Fletcher & Godber having to break back into prison when they are unwittingly caught up in old prison hand Grouty's scheme to break an inmate called Oaksy out during a supposed celebrity football match against some of the other inmates (including a young Karl Howlman). A few of the old show's cast return (apart from Tony Osoba, who's role was cut down due to other commitments, and Geoffery Bayledon taking over as the prison governor) with the film being made mainly in Chelmsford Prison when it was empty due to being renovated after a fire. It was also the last appearance of Richard Beckinsale as Godber as he sadly passed away a few weeks after filming.
As I mentioned earlier, it is one of the better TV to film adaptions, and I think it's due to being not only written by Dick Francis (who co-wrote it and the series with Ian La Frenais), but he also directed it, which means he knows the material like the back of his had, and that is one of its strengths. Many of the gags hit, and when they do, they are very funny. It also doesn't fall into the trap many of these kind of films fall into, and that's using much of the same material from the shows. Like Steptoe & Son Ride Again, it's made up of all new material, and this helps it immensely. Every cast member slips back into their role brilliantly, losing none of the comic timing that the show was known for. Especially Ronnie Barker, who's the glue that held the show together, and is the same here. He has some of the best lines, and his opening song about Mr. Beale does tickle the funny bone. It reinforces the fact that Barker was the right choice to play old hand Fletcher.
It's also notable for having almost no music written for it, with only a couple of well known songs at the beginning (Without You by Nillson, and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Drury and the Blockheads, and another that im not too sure of as you reallt cant hear the lyrics) and an original song sung by Joe Brown at the end (Free Inside) which is a pretty damn good song in its own right.
If you loved the series (and let's face it, who doesn't its a classic series that's extremely well written and hilarious), then I think it's fair to say that you'll enjoy this. And even if you haven't seen the series, I think you'll still enjoy the film as it doesn't really need any explanation about anything.
The plot sees Fletcher & Godber having to break back into prison when they are unwittingly caught up in old prison hand Grouty's scheme to break an inmate called Oaksy out during a supposed celebrity football match against some of the other inmates (including a young Karl Howlman). A few of the old show's cast return (apart from Tony Osoba, who's role was cut down due to other commitments, and Geoffery Bayledon taking over as the prison governor) with the film being made mainly in Chelmsford Prison when it was empty due to being renovated after a fire. It was also the last appearance of Richard Beckinsale as Godber as he sadly passed away a few weeks after filming.
As I mentioned earlier, it is one of the better TV to film adaptions, and I think it's due to being not only written by Dick Francis (who co-wrote it and the series with Ian La Frenais), but he also directed it, which means he knows the material like the back of his had, and that is one of its strengths. Many of the gags hit, and when they do, they are very funny. It also doesn't fall into the trap many of these kind of films fall into, and that's using much of the same material from the shows. Like Steptoe & Son Ride Again, it's made up of all new material, and this helps it immensely. Every cast member slips back into their role brilliantly, losing none of the comic timing that the show was known for. Especially Ronnie Barker, who's the glue that held the show together, and is the same here. He has some of the best lines, and his opening song about Mr. Beale does tickle the funny bone. It reinforces the fact that Barker was the right choice to play old hand Fletcher.
It's also notable for having almost no music written for it, with only a couple of well known songs at the beginning (Without You by Nillson, and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Drury and the Blockheads, and another that im not too sure of as you reallt cant hear the lyrics) and an original song sung by Joe Brown at the end (Free Inside) which is a pretty damn good song in its own right.
If you loved the series (and let's face it, who doesn't its a classic series that's extremely well written and hilarious), then I think it's fair to say that you'll enjoy this. And even if you haven't seen the series, I think you'll still enjoy the film as it doesn't really need any explanation about anything.