The Bed Sitting Room

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

At last! A brilliant find! One I had never heard of before but have now ordered the Bluray from the UK. For one thing, it's post-apocalyptic nuclear war, a favourite of mine. For another, it's surreal, absurdist British comedy. It's a potent niche mix. The cast is filled with the greats. Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Spike Milligan, Marty Feldman and a heap more.

It's based on a play by Spike Milligan and John Antrobus, although I find it very hard to conceive how this works on stage. The desolate locations and grande physical stunts (especially those involving a cop car tied to a hot air balloon) are strikingly cinematic.

It seems to affectionately lampoon the British stoicism and provides an amusing take on how the last 20 people in the country try to recreate their former proper society.

There are some awkward parts and some slow parts, also I was excited by the bleak ending it was heading towards but they instead wrap everything up in a nice shiny ribbon out of nowhere at the end. It didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the film, but I guess they don't want to end a comedy with a sad ending. I can deal with that.

It's not going to convert anyone that isn't already a fan of surrealist comedy, but for fans of the genre this is a must see.