Prick Up Your Ears (1987)

100% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(4,063 ratings)

This unadorned biography of playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) charts his bawdy, dangerous relationships. Alfred Molina plays Orton's brutish lover, Kenneth Halliwell, a pathetic figure who becomes horrific and then tragic before the film is over. The hilarity of scenes from such Orton plays as Loot… More This unadorned biography of playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) charts his bawdy, dangerous relationships. Alfred Molina plays Orton's brutish lover, Kenneth Halliwell, a pathetic figure who becomes horrific and then tragic before the film is over. The hilarity of scenes from such Orton plays as Loot and What the Butler Saw is evenly balanced by the bleakness of the playwright's tormented (and tormenting) off-stage existence, which ended suddenly at age 34 with half a dozen blows to the head from a hammer. Prick Up Your Ears is based on the book by theater critic John Lahr, who is played in the film by Wallace Shawn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Stephen Frears
Written By: Alan Bennett, John Lahr
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: May 8, 1987 Limited
On DVD: Jun 15, 2004
Studio: Curzon Film Distributors

Critic Reviews

Matthew Sorrento, PopMatters
Molina stares down all clichés, veering away from effeminate tones when they would be most convenient and avoids trapping Ken into a brooding madman.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Offers a creative portrait of playwright Joe Orton's life and death.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Powerful look at the tragic death of Joe Orton, with excellent performances
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good, but never quite great biopic of Joe Orton
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)
On one level a searing bio of Britain's most gifted playwright; on another, a harrowing portrait of fatal jealousy and love gone bad. Alfred Molina is mesmerizing.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic][color=darkred]"Revengers Tragedy" is a movie based on the 17th century play by Thomas Middleton. In this version, it is updated to Liverpool in the near future where Vendici(Christopher Eccleston) is returning after a period of absence. He is back to… More
[font=Century Gothic][color=darkred]"Revengers Tragedy" is a movie based on the 17th century play by Thomas Middleton. In this version, it is updated to Liverpool in the near future where Vendici(Christopher Eccleston) is returning after a period of absence. He is back to swear vengeance against The Duke(Derek Jacobi, who does not have a lot to do), after he killed Vendici's bride in retaliation for her not wanting to have sex with him.(A good deal of this movie is taken up with men defending the honor of women. I can understand this happening in the 17th century but it's not likely for the present or anytime in the near future.) Other faults include the movie missing chances to have anything to say about 1) the nature of revenge and 2) the class structure.(The Duke is evil but Lord Antonio seems like a pretty alright guy.) But it is imaginatively staged with computer effects and is well acted especially by Christopher Eccleston and Eddie Izzard.[/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#8b0000][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=darkslateblue]"Prick Up Your Ears" is based on the lives and tempestual relationship of playwright Joe Orton(Gary Oldman) and Kenneth Halliwell(Alfred Molina). Orton's role in life seemed to be wreaking playful havoc in the straitlaced society of 50's and 60's Britain, from defacing library books to anonymous sex in lavatories. The movie is witty and engaging. It gives great insight into the characters and their love for each other. Both Oldman and Molina do a great job. And it's a joy watching Wallace Shawn and Vanessa Redgrave act together.[/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=darkslateblue][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=darkslateblue](Very strange literary note: Alfred Molina invokes T.S. Eliot in "Prick Up Your Ears." He would do so again in "Spider Man 2.") [/color][/font]
Alec B

I felt the film could have explored more of the brief career of Joe Orton because the film tends to brush over those parts a bit. However the performances of Oldman and Molina are amazing. Its too bad the film was released in 1987, because if it was done now I think the content… More
I felt the film could have explored more of the brief career of Joe Orton because the film tends to brush over those parts a bit. However the performances of Oldman and Molina are amazing. Its too bad the film was released in 1987, because if it was done now I think the content wouldn't have made people ignore it.
Emily B

Good little film about the life of Joe Orton. Alfred Molina is great as his lover Kenneth Halliwell. Plus an excellent script by Alan Bennet.

Cast

            Gary Oldman as Joe Orton

            Alfred Molina as Kenneth Halliwell

            Vanessa Redgrave as Peggy Ramsay

            Wallace Shawn as John Lahr

            Julie Walters as Elsie Orton

            James Grant as William Orton

            Frances Barber as Leonie Orton

            Lindsay Duncan as Anthea Lahr

            Janet Dale as Mrs. Sugden

            Dave Atkins as Mr. Sugden

            Simon Adams as Undertaker's Boy

            Selina Cadell as Miss Datersby

            David Cardy as Brian Epstein

            Noel Davis as Philip

            Neil Dudgeon as Policeman

            Richard Ireson as Man Outside Lavatory

            William Job as RADA Chairman

            Karl Johnson as Douglas Orton

            Rosalind Knight as RADA Judge

            Spencer Leigh as Constable

            Angus MacKay as RADA Judge

            Steven Mackintosh as Simon Ward

            Charles McKowen as Mr. Cunliffe

            Helena Michell as Orton's Friend

            Roger Lloyd Pack as Actor

            Bert Parnaby as Magistrate

            Sean Pertwee as Orton's Friend

            Neville Phillips as Man in Gallery

            Eric Richard as Education Officer

            Stevan Rimkus as Kenneth

            Joan Sanderson as Anthea's Mother

            Neville Smith as Police Inspector

            Linda Spurrier as RADA Instructor

            Margaret Tyzack as Mme. Lambert

            Charlotte Wodehouse as Janet

            David Bradley as Undertaker

            Jonathan Phillips as Youth Outside Lavatory

            Stephen Bill as George Barnett

            Jane Blackburn as Women in Gallery

            Mark Brignal as Beatles' Chauffeur

            Antony Carrick as Counsel

            Joanne Connelly as Stage Manager

            Moktar Dagmouni as Moroccan Boy

            Philippa Davies as Peggy Ramsay's Secretary

            Anthony Douse as BBC Actor

            James Duggan as Labourer

            Christopher Guinee as Publisher

            Robin Hooper as Mortuary Attendant

            Ahmed El-Jheur as Moroccan Boy

            John Kane as Director

            Julie Legrand as Gallery owner

            John Moffatt as Wigmaker

            Michael Mueller as BBC Actor

            Stella Richman as Women in Gallery

            John Salthouse as Chauffeur

            Max Stafford-Clark as Honourable President

            Liam Staic as Brickie

            Sian Thomas as Marilyn Orton

            Garry Cooper as Actor

            Richard Wilson as Psychiatrist
See full cast