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Privilege
- Director: Peter Watkins
- Writer: Norman Bogner; Johnny Speight
- Producer: Timothy Burrill; John Heyman
CGiii Comment
Terrible.
Shrimpton may look good but she is a talentless actress.
Exploitation given a conservative twist that is as complex as a three-piece jigsaw.
Watkins really did climb up his own ass when he made this - patronising and incredibly naive.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Steven Shorter is the ultimate British music star. His music is listened to by everyone from pre-teens to grandparents. He has no trace of public bad habits or drug involvement. Everyone in Britain loves him. His handlers begin to use his popularity for projects like increasing the consumption of apples after a bumper crop as an aid to farmers. The handlers decide that Steven should support God and Country next. This leads to, among other things, a rock version of "Onward Christian Soldiers," and the inclusion of a Nazi salute to make it clear (to the viewer) how far the British population will be taken for love of God and Country under Steven's guidance. Steven is very plastic in his direction, shifting as his handlers point him toward new projects until he meets Vanessa Ritchie, an artist who makes him look at what's happening.
Cast & Characters
Paul Jones as Steven Shorter;
Jean Shrimpton as Vanessa Ritchie;
Mark London as Alvin Kirsch;
William Job as Andrew Butler;
Max Bacon as Julie Jordan;
Jeremy Child as Martin Crossley;
James Cossins as Professor Tatham;
Frederick Danner as Marcus Hooper;
Victor Henry as Freddie K;
Arthur Pentelow as Leo Stanley;
Steve Kirby as Squit;
Malcolm Rogers as Rev. Jeremy Tate;
Doreen Mantle as Miss Crawford;
Michael Graham as Timothy Arbutt;
Michael Barrington as The Bishop of Essex