A Private Function (1984)

55% of users liked it
(1,986 ratings)

A British couple's attempts to circumvent local food-rationing regulations trigger a chaotic series of events in this satirical comedy set in post-World War II England. The couple's scheme centers on a massive hog which has been illegally raised by a local farmer. Seeing a chance to capitalize on… More A British couple's attempts to circumvent local food-rationing regulations trigger a chaotic series of events in this satirical comedy set in post-World War II England. The couple's scheme centers on a massive hog which has been illegally raised by a local farmer. Seeing a chance to capitalize on pork's scarcity, the ambitious Joyce Chilvers (Maggie Smith) convinces her mild-mannered husband (Michael Palin) to steal the pig. Unfortunately for the Chilverses, a vigilant food inspector is on duty and determined to stop all such illegal activity. The couple's efforts to hide the pig provide much material for frantic and sometimes grotesque farce. Playwright Alan Bennett's acerbic targets the British class system and the wife's social ambitions. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Malcolm Mowbray
Written By: Alan Bennett, Malcolm Mowbray
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Mar 11, 1985 Limited
On DVD: Jul 5, 2005
Studio: Island Alive

Critic Reviews

James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Entertains, but never dazzles or impresses us with its script, performances, or even production design.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
Maggie Smith and Michael Palin hoard a pig in a food-rationed postwar town, and hilarity actually ensues in this largely forgotten gem.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Click to read the article.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Sunil J

A fun little movie about a couple trying to make it in society during hard times. Love Liz Smith as always along with the rest of the cast.

Cast

            Michael Palin as Gilbert Chilvers

            Maggie Smith as Joyce Chilvers

            Liz Smith as Mother

            Denholm Elliott as Dr. Charles Swaby

            Richard Griffiths as Henry Allardyce

            John Normington as Frank Lockwood

            Bill Paterson as Maurice Wormold

            Anthony Haygarth as Bernard Sutcliffe

            Alison Steadman as Mrs. Allardyce

            Pete Postlethwaite as Nuttol

            Jim Carter as Inspector Noble

            Rachel Davies as Mrs. Forbes

            Reece Dinsdale as P.C. Penny

            Donald Eccles as Father

            Denys Hawthorne as Hotel Manager

            Eileen O'Brien as Mrs. Sutcliff

            Philip Whileman as Preston

            Elijah Wood as Ernest

            Charles McKeown as Medcalf

            David Morgan as Marvin

            Gilly Coman as Dorothy

            Lee Daley as Painter's Boy

            Don Estelle as Barraclough

            Amanda Gregan as Veronica

            Josie Lane as Mrs. Beavers

            Maggie Ollerenshaw as Woman

            Susan Porrett as Mrs. Medcalf

            Paula Tilbrook as Mrs. Turnbull

            Bernard Wrigley as Painter

            Tony Haygarth
            
            Dr. Monica Neagoy
            
See full cast