The Accidental Death of an Anarchist

An English language version of the Dario Fo play concerning the investigation into the death of a anarchist in police custody. A master of disguise (the loony) subverts the investigation to uncover the truth that the authorities would prefer to keep quiet. The approach is wild and irreverent but even when at it's most farcical the play retains a sharp political edge. An excellent cast throughout support the outstanding Gavin Richards in the lead role. This play appeared on Channel4 in its early days but has been rarely (if ever) re-shown. This is a real loss. I would personally pay good money for a DVD copy.

Have been trying to get this on video for 10 years. Managed to record it on second showing but relative (unnamed to protect the guilty) over recorded with ozzie soap! This TV production is excellent. Richards' translation is superb, a completely different actor from that of 'allo 'allo. The pace is stunning, the language brilliant and no one loses their trousers. To discuss the plot is to ruin the presentation, but the galosh joke is a moment of the highest comedy.

I cannot recommend this highly enough, and hope that it can be seen somewhere as thames television do not seem to want to make money by selling a video.

:: Author: graham_johnson from London,england :: I saw it in 1983 when it first came out and again about 5 years ago (a friend had taped it).

:: I did ask Channel 4 if they would ever show it again and they said probably not.

Locate that friend. CAREFULLY make a copy. Run, do not walk, to the British Film Institute.

I'm reliably informed that the reason C4 will "probably not" show it again is not any lack of desire or awareness of public interest...

Apparently they lost their master in an accident, and there is no known complete copy of this programme still existing ANYEHERE.

If anyone knows the location of even partial copies, there are attempts in progress to reconstruct it.

The other reviewers have summed this up very well.

I saw it in London on stage - then watched it on Channel 4 with my family.

Everyone has taken it to heart.

We all remember our favourite scenes - for me it was the 'train' - howled with laughter.

The actors worked hard to produce something special.

The author produced a masterpiece for sure.

Channel 4 were I think brave at the time to produce this, as it wasn't mainstream TV.

The cast were so funny in addressing the background crew prior to the adverts.

Like so many others I crave a copy - have stupidly lost the one I had.

Would love to hear from anyone that could supply a copy.

There has been a death in a police station in Milan. The police say it was suicide, but the coroner says accidental death and now there are riots and an inquiry is about to start. Enter the Lunatic (Gavin Richards - now in BBC's Eastenders) who impersonates a judge and conducts the inquiry. All hell breaks loose.

What can I say - this has to be seen to be believed. It is a little dated by the political jokes (especially about Mrs Thatcher's regime) - but still hysterically funny. I first saw this when I was in my teens and my sister and I will still spontaneously burst into bits of this at the slightest provocation. This is definitely not for the conservative viewer. It definitely helps if your own politics are to the left of centre (or a long way left of centre for Americans). But definitely worth tracking down. enjoy