The Supergrass

I recall seeing this in 1985 with friends and we were all disappointed - because our expectations were too high. It's not a laugh a minute, but more of a study in black humour. Having re-seen it 34 years (eek) later it was more enjoyable. FYI - It is available on DVD hidden away in 'the Comic Strip Presents' box set.

Great 1980s Comic Strip comedy set in the South West of England. It is a tale of sex, drugs, cream teas and murder by the seaside. Adrian Edmondson, French and Saunders, Nigel Planer (hilarious in drag) and Robbie Coltrane play a part. Dennis (Edmondson) tries to impress girlfriend by boasting he is involved in a multi-million pounds drug deal. This leads to complications with hilarious results. I am trying to find out the original picture ratio for this film but it does not appear under 'Technical Aspects' of the IMDb site. I spotted the DVD in the shop and it appears to be in 1.33:1 (full screen) format. Was the film shot in this ratio or was it originally a widescreen film with a pan and scan DVD? It would be useful to know as I hate pan and scan films. So come on IMDb. Could you find out for us?

In which the gang take us down to Devon for a spot of the old drug smuggling. Edmonson, Saunders and Richardson take the leads while various other Strippers pop up along the way. No Rik Mayall if that is a major factor.

Richardson and Richens cleverly tell a story which provides a level of interest while letting us concentrate on our favourite comedians. At this point in the game most of us were really looking for our alt comedy faves on the big screen. So, we are served up a series of semi humorous events while the plot gels along the way. Alexei Sayle grabs the limelight as a funny traffic cop but is, ultimately, trumped by Robbie Coltrane's "walking on water" act at the end. Both those roles are largely superfluous to the plot but the roles of Nigel Planer and Keith Allen have a bit more relevance than is immediately obvious keep watching!

Richardson & Saunders begin to appear as actors rather than comedians. Ade Edmonson gives us his "nerdy bloke" routine.

You will laugh: if nothing else at the above mentioned Sayle segment. And most people raise at least a chuckle at the pub disco scene. But it is one of those Brit films which leaves you amused rather than clutching your sides in laughter.

This film is great! Being a fan of "The Comic Strip Presents..." I just knew I would love this film. And love it I do. I finally got round to buying a copy of this film early this year. However I was annoyed to find that it had been cut! So I'll keep looking at car boot sales for the original version.

Anyway, the film is about Dennis Carter (Adrian Edmondson), who tries to impress his girlfriend (Dawn French) by claiming to be a drug dealer. However, Dennis is overheard bragging one night in the pub and nicked! So Dennis turns supergrass but the trouble is he doesn't know anything and starts to make up lies and dig himself into an even deeper hole! The irony of all this is that there is drug smuggling going on down in Devon.

This film is not as funny as I expected but it is still a really good film with some good laughs and a great soundtrack. It also has the best scene ever in a British film (Robbie Coltrane's walk across the pier set to "Two Tribes" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

So if you are a fan of "The Comic Strip Presents...", of any of the cast members, or a fan of British comedy see it A.S.A.P!!!

An enjoyable romp through the 80s iconoclastic boombastic time of the Comic Strip the early showcasery of many comedic genii henceforth sprouted from... Jennifer Saunders fine right bosom on naked display at 34'15" Mr Adrian Edmondson you are a lucky man getting to play with those fine ta-tas The initial premise is a tad drawn out and it shows the inexperienced direction and screen play limitations of the script but overall a successful debut for the Comic Strip illuniati, could it have been done better, absolutely, but for £500,000 pound budget, well done guys and gals, it only seems 30 years old, not 40, overall a pleasing silly eighties romp, good job all round!!!