Tuck Bushman and the Legend of Piddledown Dale

I had no idea quite what to expect with this independently made flick. I was invited to the premier by one of the cast and half thought it was going to be some kind of sketch show from a comedy club on camera.

The acting/comedy was reminiscent of slapstick shorts ranging from modern day Smack the Pony through to some of the early 90s sketches from Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke. The story ran well, despite being completely bonkers.

The cast obviously had a lot of fun making the film and it was received to rapturous applause at the credits. I felt pride for those involved in making it because it was evidently important to them that it was well received after having put so much effort in (they were at their own premier of course).

The screening, due to obvious budget restrictions, was grainy on occasion and the sound a little patchy (however the score was surprisingly good) but these guys really were working on a shoestring.

At times laugh out loud and others just utterly daft... Piddledown Dale was an afternoon I felt well spent and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Pretty much what I've come to expect out of Aussie cinema....either too =====

stupid to watch or depressing enough to make you want to open a vein.I ------- made fifteen minutes in this movie before turning it off. My grandkids ======= would have done a much better job. Anyone that said this ridiculous ---------- drivel was funny had to be getting a salary from it. I've seen stupid ------- Aussie comedy before but this was the worst I have ever seen. Some will ------- get defensive about this review and say 'it's just not for American ----------- audiences....well, too right, mate....even stupid Americans would find ----------------- this crap tedious.It wasn't worth ten lines but someone had to tell the ------------- truth.

As a first feature length film this was stunning, hilarious from start to finish. If you haven't already then check out their short films (follow the links from Chris Lumb's page).

I haven't heard an audience laugh so much in years, hopefully they'll be able to sort out a few more screenings (this was a one off charity event) and everyone will get to see it. If any film festival researchers are looking for a brilliant British comedy then this would be it. It has everything: car chases, stunts, mad doctors, an evil mayor AND off colour sea shanties, what more does anyone need? A plot? Yep it has one of those too (and it isn't one of those tacked-on things neither). Someone needs to give these guys a budget, seriously.

Buy the DVD!