TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Water
RRP: £5.99
Our Price: £4.82 (subject to change)
One of the most underrated films ever.
Review date: 2007-12-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
This lovely "English" comedy disappeared almost without trace and I just can't understand why.
It stars Michael Caine as a pot smoking British governor of the Godforsaken island of Cascara.
Here it is always hot and windy, there are no beaches, no tourist amenities at all, no arable land, no mineral resources, just a population made up mainly of the descendants of shipwreck victims.
Just as the British decide to get rid of the place a valuable mineral discovery is made and several interest groups clash in the scramble to get the result they want.
Billy Connolly leads the independence movement which gets mixed up with Cuban insurgents as an American oil tycoon locks horns with his eco warrior daughter. The governor's lascivious wife tries anything to leave Cascara, preferably with a rich and powerful man to see to her every need; and then to cap it all George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and a host of classic music stars put on a "Concert for Cascara" at the united nations, front by Mr. Connolly
Features some great music particularly the end title theme tune which is a classic SOCA song by the Mighty Gabby. SOCA; now there is another underrated art form in this country.
Best line, IMO
British Para commander says to a US Marine commander who is about to shoot at some protesters, "Those are British citizens, and if anyone is going to die it will be by a BRITISH bullet!"
This is a film which follows in the great tradition of the Ealing comedies. Well worth checking out.
Similar Products
Reviews
Enjoyable but Not Quite Great
Review date: 2006-11-01 Rating: 6 out of 10
A seldom seen release by the late George Harrison's Handmade Films, Water includes great actors (Michael Caine, Billy Connolly, Leonard Rossiter, Fred Gwynne, etc) and a good script, but never quite comes off.
The plot involves a miserable island which grows great dope; its British colonial governor, a greedy US oil company, some "Cascaran" freedom fighters and a Perrier well.
There are some delightful swipes at Mrs Thatcher, US business, and the French (dig the merceneries' lunch menu!), great one liners and running jokes, but somehow the flow isnt there.
It's worth watching for the musical benefit by "The Singing Rebels" at the end. How's this for value: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Jon Lord, Chris Stainton and Billy Connolly!
Worth a look or two.
All star Cult Classic - off key but so good you wont mind
Review date: 2006-08-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
Where to start! One liners aplenty so good that it'd be a crime to pick just one out for this review. Suprises galore so sweet that again I wouldn't spoil them. Leonard Rossiter, Michael Caine, Billy Connolly, a clutch of recognisable American actors, all combine to run a very machiavellian plot into twisted humour, and miss the mark... everyone seems to be just too challenged by the original screen play and don't quite pull it off! And yet... it is SO original it's gotta be one for the collection!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Valerie Perrine
Billy Connolly
Michael Caine
Dennis Dugan
Brenda Vaccaro
Creators:
Michael Caine (Primary Contributor)
Brenda Vaccaro (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Starz Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Starz Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060020700507
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-10-09
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running time: 94 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)