Britannia Hospital (1982)

Best movie of this year hands down!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

As a black comedy taking major swipes at the state of Britain's National Health Service, BRITANNIA HOSPITAL is a one of a kind film. It's the closing part of a trilogy of sorts by director Lindsay Anderson, following on from IF... and O LUCKY MAN!, although it's nothing like those films, but it does feature Malcolm McDowell in a supporting role.The film is difficult to define and difficult to describe as well. It involves the bizarre antics set in and around a hospital where a mad doctor is performing all kinds of bizarre experiments. Meanwhile a bunch of left-wing loony protesters are outside and desperate to get in. The film chronicles the actions of an oddball bunch of characters as they intermingle and attempt to make sense of their situation.As a black comedy, this is odd stuff indeed; there aren't really any laugh-out-loud moments here, just plenty of quirkiness. The political satire is occasionally brilliant. There's one incredible, stand-out gore sequence which must have inspired RE-ANIMATOR, it's that extreme, and you wouldn't expect it in a British comedy like this. Meanwhile, an all-star British cast - including the likes of Graham Crowden, Leonard Rossiter, Robin Askwith, and Fulton Mackay - help breathe life into the thing and make it entertaining. BRITANNIA HOSPITAL is definitely worth a look for fans of cult cinema.

I saw this macabre comedy in the early 80's in Stockholm Sweden. Now we experience the revival of prof. Millar - impersonated by the very real and non-fictitious Paolo Macchiarini! But the laughter chokes on you. Thus sending an important message to present and future scientists. The film - at the time - made me sick and if I rated the film then, I would give it a "2". However, now in retrospective, I gave it a "9". Too bad Macchiarini never saw it - obviously. All the main actors performed extremely well, thus bringing to life a most - otherwise - unlikely medical treatments/surgery. The unfortunate Travis (Malcolm McDowell) affected by Millars overambitious actions illustrates the wide range of Malcolm McDowell's art of acting. Graham Crowden's impersonation of Prof. Millar is very convincing and brings forward a frightening scientist - hopefully very unusual in real life. Until Paolo Macchiarini showed up. I recommend "Britannia Hospital" to be included in the education at all medical schools on all levels all over the world. In order to bring a healthy perspective to the students.

That this movie has only achieved a rating of 5.9 out of 10 is appalling! Britannia Hospital brilliantly mixes the macabre, the comic, and the profound with beautiful imagery, wonderful production design, and Lindsay Anderson's astute sense of direction. The writing is flawless, the characters are flawless, the story is engrossing and the film is in my humble opinion the second best work of arguably the greatest director and visionary in British cinema history. I don't know who let the kindergärtners on here to vote but take my word - behind the wacky comic facade lies a powerful and intelligent film that should be ranked up there with the greatest films of British cinema.

Firstly i must note that If.... is one of my favourite films and within that film Malcolm McDowell is Mick Travis, as good a character as Alex De Large (Clockwork Orange) and one which he makes his own. I found that film to be beautifully shot, excellently acted and the satire to be pinpoint accurate. It was a very important British film and is one of a few classics from the sixties (Saturday Night Sunday Morning, Loneliness of the long distance Runner, Billy Liar etc).Next came O Lucky Man, with Travis out of school and working as a coffee salesman. We see his rise and fall and eventual rise again as a accidental film star. I also think this film is very important with a extremely gifted cast including Arthur Lowe in several roles and Graham Crowden as a mad experimenting doctor. The music by Alan Price greatly contributes to the film (lesser so Price's attempt to act!).Finally, the 80's and Britannia Hospital. A great cast, an interesting premise but alas a flawed film. The major characters, bar Graham Crowden have little to do (McDowell, Rossiter, Hamill,) and i found myself feeling no empathy for anyone. The pickets and protesters were annoying but were outdone by the upper class visitors to the hospital and as for Mick Travis, an ignoble end. It is never explained why McDowell is there (why isn't he investigating the luxury treatment of the African Dictator which is causing everyone else so much grief!.....why does the nurse decide to continue his work/was she an insider who gave him info on Crowdens project??). The idea that the Queen would be allowed to visit the hospital in such inhospitable(pardon the pun) times is ludicrous etc etc.But perhaps i am being to empirical about the film, what of the satire? About as subtle as a punch in the face! The upper classes are still treated differently to the working/middle classes be it in the workplace or in health care....wow, what a revelation!! Anyway, there is some joy in watching it unfold if you disengage from the satire element and enjoy the face spotting (John Gorden Sinclar, Robbie Coultrane, Robert Pugh, Richard Griffiths, Brian Glover, Arthur Lowe, Alan Bates, Roland Culver, Jill Bennett etc) and general mayhem of it all. I suppose Travis had to go somehow but why like this? My recommendation is to watch If.... and O Lucky Man and if you are satisfied with the ending to the latter film, leave it at that.