[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsPride MonthAmerican Black Film FestivalSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them

  • TV Movie
  • 1974
  • 55m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
25
YOUR RATING
If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them (1974)
Drama

Set in a cemetery, the film tells the story of a young man whom a blind man wrongly imagines to be black, and explores the nature of human prejudice.Set in a cemetery, the film tells the story of a young man whom a blind man wrongly imagines to be black, and explores the nature of human prejudice.Set in a cemetery, the film tells the story of a young man whom a blind man wrongly imagines to be black, and explores the nature of human prejudice.

  • Director
    • Bill Hays
  • Writer
    • Johnny Speight
  • Stars
    • Leonard Rossiter
    • Michael Bryant
    • Richard Beckinsale
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    25
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bill Hays
    • Writer
      • Johnny Speight
    • Stars
      • Leonard Rossiter
      • Michael Bryant
      • Richard Beckinsale
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast17

    Edit
    Leonard Rossiter
    Leonard Rossiter
    • The Blind Man
    Michael Bryant
    Michael Bryant
    • The Doctor
    Richard Beckinsale
    Richard Beckinsale
    • The Young Man
    Lewis Fiander
    Lewis Fiander
    • The Officer
    John Nightingale
    • The Private
    Donald Gee
    • The Backwards Man
    John Welsh
    John Welsh
    • The Judge
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    • The Undertaker
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • The Sexton
    James Grout
    James Grout
    • The Priest
    Ken Wynne
    Ken Wynne
    • The Vicar
    Pam Scotcher
    • The Girl
    Mary Henry
    • The Jewish Mother
    Karen Boyes
    • The First Nurse
    Vicki Michelle
    Vicki Michelle
    • Nurse
    Susan Morrall
    • Nurse
    • (as Susan Morall)
    Pat Peters
    • Nurse
    • Director
      • Bill Hays
    • Writer
      • Johnny Speight
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    6.325
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews

    Being different is alright I suppose, but I don't think it works

    This and the earlier broad-casted version both came on the same bare-bones DVD. They are overall about the same, but there are some differences. Other than the obvious one of this being in color, the music in this is pretty silly, and, like a bit of the acting(particularly that constantly chuckling doctor), over the top. It also details things that weren't as clear, and goes into one or two new aspects, and this one is meant to be laugh-out-loud funny to a greater extent than the original. A couple of things fall flat or are excessively goofy, but it does genuinely work most of the time. There is black comedy in this. They are both allegorical plays, not meant to be taken literally, set entirely at a cemetery. The editing and cinematography are minimalistic, simple and subtle, and we get long takes(including one which is the effective juxtaposition of a physical and a confession), with the writing, dialog and performances being the driving forces, just as if it was on the stage. There is a little talking to the camera. This satire discusses racism(note that there is terminology and references used that are offensive), religion, gender and the problems that arise from the differences. Speight, the man behind this is known for controversy and commentary(best known for the character of Alf Garnett), and his talent shines through here. As the back of the cover puts it, this poses the question: Is the desire for segregation an inherent human trait? Keep your eyes very open for Bob Hoskins and especially Vicki Michelle(from 'Allo 'Allo). On that note, this is a tad lewd. This has a running time of 55 minutes with credits. I recommend this to anyone mature enough to appreciate it, and it ought to work for educational purposes, as it challenges and entertains without talking down to anyone. 9/10

    More like this

    If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them
    7.1
    If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them
    Rising Damp
    7.7
    Rising Damp
    Sharman
    7.7
    Sharman
    Thick as Thieves
    6.3
    Thick as Thieves
    Three for All
    4.1
    Three for All
    Rentadick
    3.8
    Rentadick
    Spyder's Web
    7.3
    Spyder's Web
    Bloomers
    6.0
    Bloomers
    Don't Rock the Boat
    6.3
    Don't Rock the Boat
    The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
    8.0
    The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
    Alfie Darling
    4.6
    Alfie Darling
    Bloody Kids
    6.2
    Bloody Kids

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Remake of If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them (1968)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1974 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.