Please Sir!

March 2022

I though i had already reviewed this last year, but i havent, so having recently watched the series here we go.

I love this film and have watched it loads, i put in on par with the film version of bless this house from the same time period, which also had a tv series to go with it.

Loads of fun, very easy viewing and fun for all the family. I am glad to say certain things from the film were continued when they went back to the series, so that was a good thing, and many of the same actors were the same ones from the series and film.

John Alderton stars as the schoolteacher trying to keep control on his bunch of loveable rogues.

Good stuff, and far superior to the series

9 out of 10.

In this spin off based on the popular TV sitcom, Mr Hedges (John Alderton) takes his troublesome class 5C to a holiday camp with inevitably comic and disastrous results. Despite the humour being a touch on the politically incorrect and racy side by modern standards, this is mainly a light hearted and good natured affair that never takes itself seriously at all. Featuring all the regular gang from the TV show (all the 'kids' look like they are in their twenties and thirties), and a few knowing nods to the pop culture of the day ('Hendrix Lives' written on a blackboard, alluding to the then recent death of Jimi Hendrix), the movie was one of the most popular at the British Box Office in 1972. Mike Vickers did the music, which features Cilla Black performing La La La Lu (I Love You).

As the film ' please Sir 1971', was In the stages of pre production the filmmakers and the writers of the television series which it was spawned from were becoming aware that the pupils of 5C were much older than the characters they were playing on screen all in their 20s and some were approaching 30s, the filmmakers deciding to give 5C a perfect sendoff in the form of a feature film.

After an appalling display of behaviour in a class assembly the teacher Bernard Hedges played by John Alderton finds out that because of their track record of being mischievous little tikes 5C haven't been allowed to go on the schools previous class trips. After some debilitating discussions amidst the staff and Bernard he manages to persuade them by the skin of their teeth to allow them to come along to a rural activity centre.

A formulaic plot structure involving sitcoms In the old days 1960s and 1970s was to take the characters on Holiday where a lot of carry on esque high Jinks would occur.

This film takes the characters into a new location, introduces a whole new load of people into the mix sprinkled with the odd carry on esque one liner and the result Is a wonderful comedy which never takes itself to seriously.

John Alderton is excellent again as the put upon teacher Hedges and the romance which develops between himself and a local woman named Penny is a nice change of scenery. His pupils are appealing in small doses it's a shame that most of them didn't make the transition from young actor to adult actor very well and didn't get as many opportunities to progress in their careers.

Malcolm McFee, Peter cleall, Peter Denyer, David Barry and Liz Gerhardt all turn in very watchable and engaging performances.

Overall: a very good sitcom film one of the better versions released during the screen to cinema movie boom.

One of the early Tv spin offs of popular television sit coms and most certainly one of the best.

Set around Fenn st school mans it's hapless teacher Hedges and his colleagues and his class 5c made up of many lively characters.

The plot is around a school camp and some gypsies they meet as well as a sub plot involving a pupils scruffy abusive father .

The jokes and script are superb and everybody looks to be having a great time that adds so much to the film.

Not many other films of this type bettered this one.

I think that this is one of the few occasions from the period of remaking British television sitcoms for cinema, that the vibe of the original series was captured so beautifully, and even enhanced. This is one of my favourite movies of all time in actual fact, because the fundamental themes are about being nice to your friends, respecting their beliefs, sticking up for them, and consciously including and taking care of those who are different and that are less fortunate.

Like many of the comedies of the day, particularly those made by London Weekend Television, the humour is broad, and there is a good deal of very unsubtle social commentary. Class divisions, inner-city poverty, and race relations form an ongoing theme, but are dealt with comically and you never feel like you are being preached at. The writers, John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, demonstrate a far more enlightened and thoughtful perspective than many of their peers. They also don't hesitate to poke fun at the attempts of people of liberal sensibilities to readily accept allegations of racism, and to over- compensate with their empathy. A black student, Wesley, played by Brinsley Forde, is accidentally left behind when the coach, enroute to the school camp, departs without him after a roadside stop. He is picked up by Penny (Jill Kerman) and he mischievously convinces her that he's been the tragic victim of his white fascist teacher who is also his slumlord. When they catch up to the bus, the very benign - and scrupulously mindful of other cultures - Mr Hedges (John Alderton) attempts to thank Penny for taking care of their student, and she lets him have it; "Trevor Huddlestone was right about people like you!"

Leaving aside any deeper analysis, it's a nicely written film, with likeable actors and characters, and just enough comical conflict. (Did you say something, yer pasty-faced pillock?") The incidental music, and soundtrack song, Cilla Black's La-La-Lu, are pretty cool as well. I find this film always makes you feel better for having watched it.