Review of Whoops Apocalypse (1986) by Stuart K — 23 Apr 2012

The original TV series of Whoops Apocalypse done in 1982 for London Weekend Television was a big cult success, and 4 years later, writers Andrew Marshall and David Renwick got offered to do a big screen version, though it grew out of an abandoned American version, and there is a big American influence on this one, even if it is British.

It isn't as contained as the original series, but some of it works. Santa Maya is a small British colony in Central America, but when it's invaded by neighbouring Maguadora, led by General Mosquera (Herbert Lom) who have ties with the Soviets, the President of the United States, Barbara Adams (Loretta Swit) and British Prime Minister Sir Mortimer Chris (Peter Cook) try to find a way to sort the matter out, but the peace talks are sabotaged by Lacrobat (Michael Richards), the world's most notorious terrorist.

A British task force are able to get the islands back, but in retaliation, Mosquera kidnaps the British Princess Wendy (Joanne Pearce), who was on the British Navy ship sent to Santa Maya, ran by Admiral Bendish (Ian Richardson).

It's an obvious parody of what was going on in the Falklands, and it depends on surreal gags and silly names and wordplay, but along with the TV series, it feels quite relevant now. But, it has a good supporting cast including Richard Wilson, Graeme Garden, Ian McNeice, Alexei Sayle and Rik Mayall, (who naturally steals the film!!).