Times are hard for habitual guest of Her Majesty Norman Stanley Fletcher. The new prison officer, Beale, makes MacKay look soft and what's more, an escape plan is hatching from the cell of prison godfather Grouty and Fletcher wants no part of it.
Acting
Barker's masterclass in weary, wheeler-dealer charisma.
Writing
Clement and La Frenais dialogue that never wastes a syllable.
Production
Slade Prison feels lived-in, not set-dressed.
Director
Dick Clement
Ronnie Barker
Norman Stanley Fletcher
Richard Beckinsale
Lennie Godber
Fulton Mackay
Mr. Mackay
Brian Wilde
Mr. Barrowclough
Peter Vaughan
Grouty
Julian Holloway
Mr. Bainbridge
Geoffrey Bayldon
Governor Treadaway
Christopher Godwin
Mr. Beal
Barrie Rutter
Oakes
Daniel Peacock
Rudge
Sam Kelly
Warren
Ken Jones
Ives
Philip Locke
Banyard
Gorden Kaye
Dines
Oliver Smith
McMillan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Richard Beckinsale's final film role; he died at 31, making Godber's earnest optimism unintentionally heartbreaking.
Barker insisted on performing the entire film in one continuous take during rehearsals to nail the rhythm—pure theater training.
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