Rent Harry Enfield's Norbert Smith: A Life (1989)
4.0 of 5 from 56 ratings
0h 47min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Harry Enfield's mockumentary, first shown on Channel 4 in 1989, is a hilarious send-up of biopics and British cinema. Melvyn Bragg (as himself) arrives at the country home of Sir Norbert Smith (Enfield) in the week of his 80th birthday, to reminisce about a distinguished acting career that ranged from 'Hamlet' to the face of Sudso washing powder. Sir Norbert's recollections, addled by drink, are supported with clips from his greatest hits - from comedy capers 'Passport to Puddlewitch' and 'Whimsy Galore!' to the shocking tale of 1930's juvenile delinquency 'Rebel Without a Tie'. He serves the war effort by scuttling off to Hollywood to make musicals about the Blitz, and leads the cast of 'Rover Returns Home', an English take on Lassie. 'It's Grim Up North' reprises the misery of 1960's social realism; and in his final role he gamely plays Nelson Mandela (as Alec Guinness was unavailable). The cast includes self-parodying 'Carry On' regulars Jack Douglas, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Connor. - Actors:
- Harry Enfield, Melvyn Bragg, Charles Simon, Stewart Harwood, Peter Goodwright, George Raistrick, Renée Asherson, Simon Godley, Charles Pemberton, Moray Watson, Josie Lawrence, John Elmes, Felicity Montagu, David Henry, Gareth Vaughan, Jane Snowden, Mike Kelly, Catherine Chevalier, Mary Chilton, Joe McGann
- Directors:
- Geoff Posner
- Producers:
- Geoffrey Perkins
- Writers:
- Harry Enfield, Geoffrey Perkins
- Aka:
- Sir Norbert Smith, a Life
- Studio:
- Simply Media
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Documentary
