Porridge (1979)

Wonderful character development!

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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.

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. 8/10RIP fellas, your legacy lives on always.

I am also a big fan of Porridge and of all Ronnie Barker's work. Porridge is the absolute best example of a British sitcom (don't care what the public vote was!), and this film didn't disappoint.Although there were a few repeated jokes (the alternative version of 'Scotland the Brave' is a particular favourite), it is the finest example of top comedy actors performing work by top comedy writers.The fact that there are so many top quality quotes on this site from the film says it all. It's also a credit to Ronnie Barker's talent that he can appear in two vastly contrasting sitcoms as completely different characters at the same time (this, and Open All Hours), and be so believable in both roles.There's no coincidence that Olivier said he was his favourite actor!

Many 1970s British TV comedy series were made into films - most were dire. This film is excellent, but below the level of the TV series which is one of the funniest programmes ever made. The characters (most of them) are all there from the TV series, but the pace is slower and thereby suffers in comparison. Despite this, the film is definitely worth watching. The plot centres around an elaborate escape plan which doesn't quite work the way it was intended, but Fletch, Godber, MacKay and Barrowclough can all be relied on. Perhaps the star of the film is Peter Vaughan as Grouty - at the centre of the action for a change. See the film - but see the TV series too.