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Catalog/Comedy/The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball poster
B
Strong
MASTER SCORE 59.7 / 100
1982·Comedy / Documentary / Music·1h 31m

THE SECRET POLICEMAN'S OTHER BALL

“At Last the Truth Can Be Told - The Other Ball is Bigger”

Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-off movie, TV special and record albums – Cleese, Lewis and Walker planned the next show to be a more spectacular event. Cleese focused on broadening the comedic talent to be presented at the show. In addition to the Amnesty show stalwarts drawn from the Oxbridge/Monty Python/Beyond The Fringe orbit, he invited newcomers such as Rowan Atkinson’s colleagues from the BBC TV show Not the Nine O'Clock News including Pamela Stephenson and Griff Rhys Jones; comedian Victoria Wood and regional comic Jasper Carrott. Lewis secured a return appearance by Billy Connolly and a debut appearance by "alternative" comedian Alexei Sayle who Lewis had recently discovered and was managing. Building on the success of Pete Townshend's 1979 appearance Lewis recruited other rock musicians to perform at the 1981 show including Sting, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Donovan and Bob Geldof.

Above the Line
Julien Temple·DirectorTerence Dackombe·WriterOliver Stapleton·Director of PhotographyPaul Carr·SoundAndy Attenburrow·Editor
Cast
Rowan Atkinson·Self - Various RolesJeff Beck·SelfAlan Bennett·Self - Various RolesGraham Chapman·Self - Various RolesEric Clapton·SelfJohn Cleese·Self - Various RolesPhil Collins·SelfBilly Connolly·SelfPeter Cook·Self - Various RolesSheena Easton·The Secret Policeman Choir
Full Crew
(23 credits)
Directing· 3
Julien Temple·DirectorAlison Thorne·ContinuityJohn Cleese·Assistant Director
Writing· 1
Terence Dackombe·Writer
Camera· 4
Oliver Stapleton·Director of PhotographyBrian Herlihy·Camera Production AssistantJohn Metcalfe·Camera OperatorSimon Ransley·Camera Operator
Editing· 3
Andy Attenburrow·EditorGeoff Hogg·EditorThomas Schwalm·Editor
Sound & Music· 4
Paul Carr·SoundJohn Altman·Music DirectorAlan Brewer·Music ArrangerChris Munro·Sound Recordist
Production· 8
Harvey Weinstein·ProducerBob Weinstein·ProducerJohn Cleese·ProducerMartin Lewis·ProducerRoger Graef·ProducerCorky Burger·ProducerAndy Birmingham·Production AccountantMichael Hamlyn·Associate Producer
By the Numbers
59.7
OF 100
Master Score
6.6
OF 10
IMDb
—
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
—
Worldwide Gross
0
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

The canonical record of where this film lives across the streaming map.

Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind The Secret Policeman's Other Ball's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#0D116C
#E2E2E2
#9E151B
Mood
Lively, Humorous, Chaotic
Composition
Full Bleed
Era
1980s
Visual Style
Illustrated

“A vibrant, illustrated movie poster depicts a crowded, lively scene within a grand hall or theater, featuring numerous caricatured individuals. A large banner a”

comedyvariety show
Key Elements
BannerBalloonsCurtainsChandelierGuitarNewspaper
Atmosphere
Vibrant
Color Mood
Mixed
Setting
Indoor
Design Score
8/10
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THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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THREE WAYS DEEPER

Auteur
AUT
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Every catalog entry where Julien Temple is credited as director.

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