The Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Have been trying to get this on video for 10 years. Managed to record it on second showing but relative (unnamed to protect the guilty) over recorded with ozzie soap! This TV production is excellent. Richards' translation is superb, a completely different actor from that of 'allo 'allo. The pace is stunning, the language brilliant and no one loses their trousers. To discuss the plot is to ruin the presentation, but the galosh joke is a moment of the highest comedy.

I cannot recommend this highly enough, and hope that it can be seen somewhere as thames television do not seem to want to make money by selling a video.

I'll never forget the first time I saw this. I turned on part way through and missed the beginning, but in no time I was quite literally rolling on the floor, laughing until I cried.

Gavin Richards was absolutely superb as the anarchist. The comedic timing was spot on and they took full advantage of the fact that this was a recording of a play in front of a live audience, slipping [deliberately] out of character, getting the audience to swear in unison ("Oh you lovely people! On the telly! In front of millions!") and taking a tea break between acts.

20 years on, and it's a real tragedy that this still isn't available to buy. This was what Channel 4 was all about.

There has been a death in a police station in Milan. The police say it was suicide, but the coroner says accidental death and now there are riots and an inquiry is about to start. Enter the Lunatic (Gavin Richards - now in BBC's Eastenders) who impersonates a judge and conducts the inquiry. All hell breaks loose.

What can I say - this has to be seen to be believed. It is a little dated by the political jokes (especially about Mrs Thatcher's regime) - but still hysterically funny. I first saw this when I was in my teens and my sister and I will still spontaneously burst into bits of this at the slightest provocation. This is definitely not for the conservative viewer. It definitely helps if your own politics are to the left of centre (or a long way left of centre for Americans). But definitely worth tracking down. enjoy

I'm so glad I found someone else in the world who saw this. I was beginning to think I was the only one!

It's a truly excellent comedy - anarchic, insane, controversial, thought provoking. Even now, 23 years later I can still remember the lines and key moments. Comedy acting at its best, with ad lib moments and quick thinking throughout.

All the actors put their whole heart and being into the parts, and it's unlike anything you've seen before, seeming to be almost unscripted in parts.

The question now is can you get it on video? I'd love to get hold of this!

:: Author: graham_johnson from London,england :: I saw it in 1983 when it first came out and again about 5 years ago (a friend had taped it).

:: I did ask Channel 4 if they would ever show it again and they said probably not.

Locate that friend. CAREFULLY make a copy. Run, do not walk, to the British Film Institute.

I'm reliably informed that the reason C4 will "probably not" show it again is not any lack of desire or awareness of public interest...

Apparently they lost their master in an accident, and there is no known complete copy of this programme still existing ANYEHERE.

If anyone knows the location of even partial copies, there are attempts in progress to reconstruct it.