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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.

This film was a stylistic, cultural and commercial breakthrough, the first hugely profitable Australian film in decades, and the start of the revival of the Australian film industry. The humour was utterly non-PC and outrageously crude for its day. At last the hideous ocker in England was portrayed on film in all his drunken ribald glory.

However time has not been kind to it. Some of the individual jokes are still hysterically funny, such as Spike Milligan's introduction to the hotel, the Indian aphrodisiacs, and Delamphrey's attempts at psychoanalysis. Other jokes have worn thin though having been adopted by the culture at large (e.g. the largely invented Australian slang) or use of similar jokes by other comedians. Much of the humour doesn't go beyond simply using the crude invented slang in conversation. Today it isn't particularly outrageous or funny. The purportedly stereotypical depictions of English snobbery and Australian crudity are too extreme and grotesque even for a comedy, and further detract from the effectiveness of the comedy.

Another major flaw is structural. "The Adventures of Barry Mackenzie" and its main character is based on a series of self-contained comic strips. A movie on the other hand is built around scenes of protracted dialogue, development within a scene, and development of the narrative across scenes. Indeed Humphries himself has stated he didn't believe his comic strips could be adapted for film for this very reason. As a result the film is highly episodic, with some very tendentious, unfunny and laboured links written to string the episodes together. This isn't helped by the fact that Humphries is essentially a solo performer whose stock-in-trade is the self-contained one-liner. He usually has a relatively brief setup (if any) leading to his jokes in stage performances. In consequence the dialogue is often stilted and unnatural, clumsily and unfunnily targetted towards the recitation of slang expressions or the delivery of some other self-contained comic idea. I don't normally criticise comedies for flaws in structure or logic because they are essentially vehicles for jokes, but in this case these flaws are distractingly obvious and jarring, and the jokes aren't funny enough to prevent the viewer noticing.

Still, the funniest of the jokes are classics, and overall it remains enjoyable. The sequel is funnier though, perhaps because it resolves (but only partially) some of the original's flaws.

On a historical note, the opening shot shows the Hegarty's private mini-ferry approaching the Luna Park pontoon wharf, which many Sydneysiders would fondly remember but neither of which now exist.

I'm trying to - and failing spectacularly - to think of a British - or U.S. - equivalent of the titular Barry MacKenzie and his so-called 'adventures'. After being 'required' to leave his native Down Under, young Barry Crocker (MacKenzie), with his Aunt Dame Edna Everage, jet to a fog-bound and freezing Britain (via Hong Kong, where he stocks up on high import duty luxury goods).

Nicely ripping off our UK stereotypes, we see their black cab motor past Stonehenge and then up the M3, to London. Not sure, geographically where the airport was, but as Bruce Beresford's popular filmed version of the comic-strip character that ran in Private Eye never seems to follow logic or reason, this doesn't matter an iota.

From the above over-charging cabbie, who cites windscreen-wiper depreciation and conversation as chargeable extras, the 'hotel' is no better. More sketch-lead than story, it's sporadic, in turns the best, grubbiest Aussie slang and humour but also tedious, lame and stupid.

It's still quite a tonic though, in these days of political correctness, reminding us of our faults as a nation, even if they're obvious targets and during probably our least salubrious decade. Dame Edna, oddly, looks much less feminine than 'she' does now, her voice still not having found its niche and wavers between warbling, mannish falsetto and a sore- throat sufferer. Barry Humphries (Dame Edna, of course) does better as the creepy psychiatrist who interviews Barry, after he suffers a bump on the head and ends up in hospital, but soon discharges him due to being just too much troublesome!

Peter Cook is a wasted opportunity, only appearing as an unfunny TV exec ten minutes before the end and a young Joan Bakewell as the resulting late night's arts programme interviewer/presenter, who gets the blunt end of MacKenzie's subtleties....

Meanwhile, the constantly running joke about 'tubes' (tinnies) of Fosters is a refreshing one, too.

It ranges between 7/10 to two, so five overall is a fair compromise, though on a good day, it could reach 6.

My DVD was part of the 12 disc boxed set, Australian Cinema Collection, to which I gently refer to with my review title.

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

I had read the cartoon strip in Private Eye. I don't think I had seen Edina Everagre before this. Subseqiently I went to all the London shows including the last panto at the Wimbledon Theatre.

In the film Everagre is very much a subsidiary character.

The film is rather rough and ready at the edges but still is quite funny.

Sad to see Dennis Price near the end of his career looking much the worse for wear.

Yes, this is a movie, I would think, that only Australians can fully understand and probably only Australians that have been to England. But even Australians might not fully appreciate the depths of Humphrey's genius that is on display here. To make off with the idea that it is just a coarse movie about a drunken Australian virgin, albeit with some considerable charm, armed with a bookcase full of Australianisms to stick it up the Poms is to miss the gold that is really on offer. Look deeply enough and you can see what Barry Humphries was really thinking about Australia and England at the time, as well as a lot of other matters such as the entertainment industry, the police and Asian immigrants. It is very dated now, so people not born til the 80s will be struggling to understand the subtle references. Look past the obvious if you can. This is a rare gem, made for the few. Enjoy!

A hit at the time but now better categorised as an Australian cult film. The humour is broad, unsubtle and, in the final scene where a BBC studio fire is extinguished by urinating on it, crude. Contains just about every cliche about the traditional Australian pilgrimage to 'the old country', and every cliche about those rapacious, stuck up, whinging, Tory Brits. Would be acceptable to the British because of its strong cast of well known actors, and to Australians of that generation, who can 'get' the humour. Americans -- forget it. The language and jokes are in the Australian dialect of English and as such will be unintelligible.

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*

An ensemble of the cream of British and Australian artistes under the meticulous eye of one Barry Humphreys produce some of their finest work. A film of exquisite and subtle humour, polished and refined to perfection. The Australian equivalent of Noel Coward.

This film is probably one of the most grotesque I have ever had to watch. But it is also a masterpiece of writing and comic genius. Barry Crocker is brilliant as the naive Barry McKenzie, whilst Barry Humphries is superb as Edna Everidge.

There is also excellent support from the likes of Peter Cook, Dick Bentley, Dennis Price and William Rushton- actors and comedians who did what they did well.

An all-round classic: should be made compulsary viewing!

I love this movie like no other. Another time I will try to explain its virtues to the uninitiated, but for the moment let me quote a few of pieces the remarkable dialogue, which, please remember, is all tongue in cheek. Aussies and Poms will understand, everyone else-well?

(title song lyric)"he can sink a beer, he can pick a queer, in his latest double-breasted Bondi gear."

(another song lyric) "All pommies are bastards, bastards, or worse, and England is the a**e-hole of the universe."

(during a television interview on an "arty program"): Mr Mackenzie what artists have impressed you most since you've been in England? (Barry's response)Flamin' bull-artists!

(while chatting up a naive young pom girl): Mr Mackenzie, I suppose you have hordes of Aboriginal servants back in Australia? (Barry's response) Abos? I've never seen an Abo in me life. Mum does most of the solid yacca (ie hard work) round our place.

This is just a taste of the hilarious farce of this bonser Aussie flick. If you can get a copy of it, watch and enjoy.

This film and it's sequel Barry Mckenzie holds his own, are the two greatest comedies to ever be produced. A great story a young Aussie bloke travels to england to claim his inheritance and meets up with his mates, who are just as loveable and innocent as he is.

It's chock a block full of great, sayings , where else could you find someone who needs a drink so bad that he's as dry as a dead dingoes donger? great characters, top acting, and it's got great sheilas and more Fosters consumption then any other three films put together. Top notch.

And some of the funniest songs you'll ever hear, and it's full of great celebrities. Definitely my two favourite films of all time, I watch them at least once a fortnight.

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.

The story centers around Barry McKenzie who must go to England if he wishes to claim his inheritance. Being about the grossest Aussie shearer ever to set foot outside this great Nation of ours there is something of a culture clash and much fun and games ensue. The songs of Barry McKenzie(Barry Crocker) are highlights.

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.

Dunny be a dingo-draped drongo, point your mutton arrow down under at outlandish Ozsploitation comedy classic 'Barry McKenzie' and you'll soon be waltzing your mirthsome Matilda into mirth-town as lanky McKenzie's rawer than outback prawn, cooler than a bathtub of Fosters, slicker than a hungry one-eyed trouser snake and brighter than a technicolor chunder into the pacific! So put another Roo steak on the barbie, loosen ya' strides and take a gander at the fair dinkum, Non-PC Aussie classic from that bawdy filmmaking bloke Bruce Beresford.

Don't be a long-faced Pom, crack open another ice-cold tinny and drown yourself dizzy with Barry Mackenzie's boozily busy adventures in Pommyland! His mate's call him Baz, but to most of us pale-faced Poms he's just a glorious schpazz, tougher than a Wolf Creek Crock, barmier than a sun-busted boomerang, he's bonza Barry McKenzie the world's first down under exposing antipodean star! No worries, mate!

One of the toughest film genres a local film industry attempts to sell to a foreign country is the comedy. That's because every country has its own sense of humor, and can find things funny that another country will not find funny. I think that's the case for "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie", a movie that seems geared for Australians alone. I will admit that even as a non-Australian I did find the occasional moment in the movie to be somewhat amusing, but for the most part I was kind of mystified as to why I should find the movie hilarious. Though I didn't laugh that much, I will admit that I didn't find the movie too much of a chore to sit through. The movie moves from one vignette to another (there really isn't much of a plot) at a quick pace, so things don't get boring. Also, I will admit that Barry Crocker as the title figure gives a very appealing performance despite his character's crude tone and beer-swilling. If you are curious about seeing a foreign country's idea of humor and are prepared not to laugh that much, you could do worse than this movie.