The Adventures of Barry McKenzie

I saw this at the flicks when it was first shown in the UK. I think I was about 16 - I recall thinking that it was totally hilarious, but seeing it recently on TV just made me squirm with embarrassment. I suppose seeing people "chunder" and hearing adults swear a bit must have seemed a bit special. Spike Milligan was funny as the landlord and Dennis Price was a good sport to send his "class" up. Dumb, devoid of any real intelligence and juvenile. That goes for me and the film ;-) I will now waffle a bit to fill up the required 10 lines of review. What happened to the Aussie film scene ? You guys threatened to take over the world at one point.

It's a crying shame that this film is unavailable on video.

It really is a great film, crude yes, broad yes, but really very funny. There's a whole new generation of film goers (admittedly British and Australian, I can't see this garnering a wide US audience) who think Bad taste comedy started with 'There's something about Mary' and it's ilk. This is so much better yet it's being hidden. *sigh*

I worked with MCA Australia as the Assistant Film Promotions Manager on The Adventures of Barry McKenzie. MCA was the film distributer throughout the major cities in Australia of this film. At that time, it was rated the most popular Australian film in their history. I worked directly with Barry Humphries who not only starred in the movie as four different characters, but was instrumental in introducing Foster's Lager, the Bazza McKenzie Hat and the Aunt Edna character (who manifested herself into Dame Edna, who is widely recognized world-wide). Not to forget Bruce Beresford and Barry McKenzie! I still have a copy of the comic strip "Bazza Pulls it Off" and "The Wonderful World of Barry McKenzie" (which the movie script was derived from). Sadly, I lost the Barry McKenzie Soundtrack.

I'll never forget the Grand Opening Premiere at The Ascot Theatre in Sydney with all the cast, producers, directors, etc. The after party was held at The St. George's Club where Foster's Lager was consumed in abundance.

If anyone knows how to obtain a copy of this film in a video format, I'd love to purchase it. It would bring back so many of my memories of the wonderful experiences I had during the four and half years I lived in Australia.

Please feel free to e-mail me at if you have any idea how to access a copy of the movie.

Deborah Faurot, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Fans will be delighted to learned that 'The Adventures of Barry McKenzie' is now available on DVD. I bought my copy at JB HiFi at the bargain price of $11. It is a PAL Region 4 disk. However, like the VHS version, the print quality is appalling. It must have been taken from a well-worn cinema release. It is dark, horrendously scratchy at the reel changes and has frames missing. The source must have been broken and repaired. Oh for a digitally remastered version of an unreleased print. Still, it's a heck of a lot better than nothing. One delightful small part is the first appearance on film of John Clarke. He is an effete ex-patriate Australian, wearing a tight paisley shirt and in a wig (or at least a hilarious comb-over), podgily overweight, and speaking in a pseud's accent. Delightful.

I have fond memories of this gloriously non-PC comedy from my teenage years and while its power to shock has long since diminished, it's still an enjoyable fish out of water romp. As long as sexual and national stereotypes don't upset you! Some beautiful turns of phrase from the pen of Barry Humphries still bring a smile - "dry as a dead dingo's donger" is a particular favourite. Now streaming for UK viewers on Amazon Prime in a clean, if soft SD 1.166:1 transfer.