Knights & Emeralds

A shame critics rated this gem a 6.5 because it is a total 10. Released in the U.K. in 1985, then making its way to HBO in 1986. It intrigued me heavily because it was British, the same as Benny Hill and Monty Python. It is very well produced and directed, with a stellar cast that can definitely act. Christopher Wilde and Beverley Hills heading as Kevin and Melissa.

Two teenagers caught in the middle of their rival high school marching bands' comical antics. The Knights vs. the Emeralds. Tensions flowing with the two kids struggling painfully to keep the peace at bay, as an upcoming competition threatens both bands' livelihoods. Include the sexy cackling Emeralds majorettes, and you have one zany showcase.

There is a strong track record for small, independant UK films (this is Film4) making quite the impact. Films like Brassed Off and The Full Monty were impressive hits. Sadly Knights and Emeralds managed to slip that net. It's every bit as good as the aforementioned films but never really got noticed like many of the really early Film4 efforts. Directed superbly by Ian Emes, who was a brilliant visual artist working with the likes of Pink Floyd and Mike Oldfield. I first saw Ian's work in 1980 and he has an eye for detail that few can match. The engaging young leads playing Kevin and Melissa are superb throughout and the supporting cast range from the world famous Warren Mitchell to the unknown.

This is one of the first UK films to have a look at multi-culturalism and some of the worms living under those rocks don't come out of it too well. I have to admit I am from Birmingham and from a mixed race family (British / Asian) so maybe that is why it spoke to me. But you don't have to be a welder from Sheffield to like the Full Monty do you? The soundtrack is excellent and I bought it on Vinyl back in the day. Not many places where you will find Rick Astley, the formidable Slade and the criminally under-rated Stephen Duffy on the same bill. There are a slew of Film4 titles on Britbox right now and I was thrilled to see this one finally added to the list. Watch it if you can find it, it's a crackin' little film. My only disappointment is that Frank Skinner wasn't in it, it would have been perfect for him, however in 1986 Frank was just emerging from his dance with the bottle. But there was a small role for David Neilson who became Roy Cropper for decades in Coronation Street (and would work with Frank Skinner 8 years later in the fabulous Blue Heaven (1994).

I absolutely FELL IN LOVE with this movie from the first time I saw it back in the 90's.

It was hilarious!

Chris Wild is undeniably sexy as teenager Kevin, struggling between his white and black friends in a highly Racist town and high school, only wanting to play his drums! And I just loved Beverly Hills who played cute, sexy Melissa, a teenage woman ahead of her years in wisdom, beauty, and love.

The comical antics of the Knights and Emeralds, and the flowing scenes are nonstop, watching the rival marching band masters struggling painfully to keep tensions at bay as an upcoming competition threatens the death of them all. Turn on the cackling, sexy marching majorette Emeralds, and you've really got a handful.

This film is a must-see.