Review of The Great McGonagall (1975) by Stuart K — 02 Sep 2011
Directed by Joseph McGrath (Casino Royale (1967) and The Magic Christian (1969)), and co-written with the great Spike Milligan. This is a Goonish comedy, all filmed at Wilton's Music Hall in Whitechapel, London, and it's a comedic look at the life of one of Spike's heroes.
He may not have been a great poet, but he had the ambition and could fool you into thinking he was a genius. Set in the 1800's, this is about William Topaz McGonagall Esq. (Spike), who gives up his job as a full time unemployed Scottish weaver to devote his life to poetry.
He does acting work on the stage, where he uses the opportunity to recite some of his poetry. However, people hate it, and he uses the fruit and veg they fling at him as food for his family. But, McGonagall perserveres, and falls in love with Queen Victoria (Peter Sellers), who is very big in England.
McGonagall devotes most of his poetry to her majesty, and although she rejects his advances and kindness, he still has dreams of becoming Poet Laureate. But, most of the highlights is all in his head.
This is very silly, with some very funny moments and gags, (Prince Albert looks like Hitler, and the cast breaking for lunch, and government health warnings on coffins.) But, Spike has a likeable presence as McGonagall, eccentric and hilarious, with Sellers adding lunacy to the part as Queen Victoria, as well as Spike's regulars like John Bluthal, Victor Spinetti and Charlie Atom.
:P.
This review of The Great McGonagall (1975) was written by Stuart K on 02 Sep 2011.
The Great McGonagall has generally received mixed reviews.
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