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The Supergrass

  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
781
YOUR RATING
Adrian Edmondson in The Supergrass (1985)
ComedyCrime

A socially-inept man lies his way into the police believing he's a high-rolling drug smuggler in exchange for money and a holiday. Unfortunately for him, a very real drug deal is happening a... Read allA socially-inept man lies his way into the police believing he's a high-rolling drug smuggler in exchange for money and a holiday. Unfortunately for him, a very real drug deal is happening at the very same place.A socially-inept man lies his way into the police believing he's a high-rolling drug smuggler in exchange for money and a holiday. Unfortunately for him, a very real drug deal is happening at the very same place.

  • Director
    • Peter Richardson
  • Writers
    • Peter Richardson
    • Pete Richens
  • Stars
    • Adrian Edmondson
    • Jennifer Saunders
    • Peter Richardson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    781
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Richardson
    • Writers
      • Peter Richardson
      • Pete Richens
    • Stars
      • Adrian Edmondson
      • Jennifer Saunders
      • Peter Richardson
    • 18User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos5

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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Adrian Edmondson
    Adrian Edmondson
    • Dennis Carter
    Jennifer Saunders
    Jennifer Saunders
    • Lesley Reynolds
    Peter Richardson
    Peter Richardson
    • Harvey Duncan
    Robbie Coltrane
    Robbie Coltrane
    • Det. Sgt. Troy
    Nigel Planer
    Nigel Planer
    • Gunter
    Keith Allen
    Keith Allen
    • Wong
    Dawn French
    Dawn French
    • Andrea
    Daniel Peacock
    • Jim Jarvis
    Ronald Allen
    Ronald Allen
    • Commander Robertson
    Alexei Sayle
    Alexei Sayle
    • Motorbike Cop
    Michael Elphick
    Michael Elphick
    • Constable Collins
    Patrick Durkin
    Patrick Durkin
    • Constable Franks
    Marika Rivera
    • Bed and Breakfast Landlady
    • (as Marika Riviera)
    Rita Treisman
    • Mrs. Carter
    Al Pillay
    • Mary
    • (as Lana Pellay)
    Neil Cunningham
    • Hotel Waiter
    David Beard
    • Disc Jockey
    Kevin Allen
    Kevin Allen
    • Shop Assistant
    • Director
      • Peter Richardson
    • Writers
      • Peter Richardson
      • Pete Richens
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    6.3781
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    Featured reviews

    6LetsReviewThat26

    funny people but not fun enough

    Adrien edmonson is the star of this movie. He plays dennis a man that makes up a lie about being part of a drug syndicate. Heaving wife dawn french behind he sets off. There are loads of stars in this movie which is nice to see but I just felt this movie could have done with just a bit more humor. The kind of slapstick like in young ones or bottom couldve been done here. But I liked this movie still and it was a good story. Alexis sal was great. Maybe more movies from the sktech could work but the characters were still wrote well and overall decent even if a little lacking than it could have been.
    6Vils1

    Has it's Moments But is a Missed Opportunity

    I recall seeing this in 1985 with friends and we were all disappointed - because our expectations were too high. It's not a laugh a minute, but more of a study in black humour. Having re-seen it 34 years (eek) later it was more enjoyable. FYI - It is available on DVD hidden away in 'the Comic Strip Presents' box set.
    8TajMahal2000

    Great film but what about the picture ratio

    Great 1980s Comic Strip comedy set in the South West of England. It is a tale of sex, drugs, cream teas and murder by the seaside. Adrian Edmondson, French and Saunders, Nigel Planer (hilarious in drag) and Robbie Coltrane play a part. Dennis (Edmondson) tries to impress girlfriend by boasting he is involved in a multi-million pounds drug deal. This leads to complications with hilarious results. I am trying to find out the original picture ratio for this film but it does not appear under 'Technical Aspects' of the IMDb site. I spotted the DVD in the shop and it appears to be in 1.33:1 (full screen) format. Was the film shot in this ratio or was it originally a widescreen film with a pan and scan DVD? It would be useful to know as I hate pan and scan films. So come on IMDb. Could you find out for us?
    boffins

    The Comic Strip's big movie outing.........

    This really is a great film, I have always been a fan of the early 80's alternative comedy scene, and the comic strip films were the perfect setting for this genre. Like the Young Ones, and French and Saunders, most of these comedians got tegether for the comic strip, most were made for TV movies, but The Supergrass was a full-length feature film, which if I'm not mistaken even went to the cinema? The main character is Dennis ( Ade Edmonson ) who despite being a moron, still living at home with his mother, thinks he's something he's not. Dennis tells lies in order to impress his wannabe' girlfriend, he is overheard in a pub, boasting about a fictional drugs ring, by a policeman( the ever excellent Micheal Elphick ) But, the so called drug deal by the seaside is not just a lie, the police have been trying to crack this for a long time. Dennis becomes a supergrass and gets dragged deeper and deeper into it, The trouble is he doesn't know anything, or does he.....? The Supergrass is one of those films you are still trying to work out, is Dennis just the goon you think he is, or does he know more than he'll tell? Though the Supergrass has its truly funny moments, it is added to by the terrible 80's fashion and music, which obviously was not supposed to be funny first time around. Dennis buys a horrible red leather jacket (identical to Micheal Jackson's thriller one) was this actually cool in the 80's or was it intended to be funny? The Film is made up of great individual performances, Peter Richardson, Keith Allen, Jennifer Saunders, Daniel Peacock, Nigel Planer, all put in exceptional shows of acting, and who can forget Alexi Sayle's most annoying policeman. The only thing missing is Rik Mayall. If you are a fan of British Comedy, and the likes of the young Ones etc, this is a must own film * * * *
    7simon_mulvaney

    Dennis Carter: Supergrass...or is he?

    This film is great! Being a fan of "The Comic Strip Presents..." I just knew I would love this film. And love it I do. I finally got round to buying a copy of this film early this year. However I was annoyed to find that it had been cut! So I'll keep looking at car boot sales for the original version.

    Anyway, the film is about Dennis Carter (Adrian Edmondson), who tries to impress his girlfriend (Dawn French) by claiming to be a drug dealer. However, Dennis is overheard bragging one night in the pub and nicked! So Dennis turns supergrass but the trouble is he doesn't know anything and starts to make up lies and dig himself into an even deeper hole! The irony of all this is that there is drug smuggling going on down in Devon.

    This film is not as funny as I expected but it is still a really good film with some good laughs and a great soundtrack. It also has the best scene ever in a British film (Robbie Coltrane's walk across the pier set to "Two Tribes" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

    So if you are a fan of "The Comic Strip Presents...", of any of the cast members, or a fan of British comedy see it A.S.A.P!!!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A review segment on this movie on the BBC One program "Film" in the UK (then hosted by Barry Norman), when it had just been released there in 1985, showed behind-the-scenes footage of the production during the sequence in the Anchor Inn pub--a sequence that can only be viewed today in the original '80s-release VHS and laserdisc versions from CBS/Fox. Several of the cast members were interviewed, some of them in character or satirically, and footage of filming was shown, including a scene actually cut from the theatrical version, where Jim approaches Dennis, Harvey and Lesley at their table regarding another drug deal (this leads into the sequence where he is soon after found murdered by Dennis, which is still present in all versions). This cut scene has never surfaced anywhere else. Also shown is an extension of the scene in which Lesley tells a worried Dennis, "If you don't watch it, you'll go down like the rest of them." She quickly adds, "Kiss me," and pulls him in for a kiss. This was also cut from the theatrical version prior to release and has never surfaced. At the end of the review on "Film", Barry Norman makes mention of "The Supergrass 2" as being in development. Obviously, this project never eventuated.
    • Goofs
      When Harvey, Dennis, and Lesley are in the hotel room playing the "truth" game, it is dark outside. During this scene however, Troy leaves his bed & breakfast and walks the sea wall to await the arrival of the drugs boat, and it is daylight. Later, Harvey gets upset and retreats outside to the balcony, where it is again night, but after this a shot of Troy waiting on the sea wall at sunset is shown.
    • Quotes

      Andrea: For God's sake, he's not a drug dealer! He lives with his mum!

      Constable Collins: So do I!

    • Alternate versions
      The American version depletes all mention of the phone box outside the hotel being checked for hidden chalk messages, and also removes several other humorous scenes, such as the one where Troy complains to the landlady that there is no hot water. These cuts reduce the running time by about eight minutes.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Wogan: Episode #5.116 (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      The Supergrass Theme
      Performed by P.P. Arnold

      Courtesy of 10 Records

      Published by Warner Bros Music

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 5, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Supergrass - Unser Mann bei Scotland Yard
    • Filming locations
      • The Cottage Hotel and Restaurant, Hope Cove, Devon, England, UK(The Royal Hotel exteriors)
    • Production companies
      • 14 Old Bond Street Leasing
      • Comic Strip
      • Film Four International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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