Privates on Parade

Privates on Parade

Malaysia, 1947. Some fought. Some danced.

R 1983 · 113 min · ★ 4.9 · Comedy, Drama, War, Music

It is 1947, the year of the communist rebellion in Malaya and the British army's SADUSEA (Song And Dance Unit South East Asia) are called to the Malayan Jungle to entertain the troops. The eccentric, bible-bashing Major Giles Flack (John Cleese) is in command of the unit. Flack is accompanied by an ageing, theatrical drama queen, Terri Dennis (Denis Quilley) who hopes to entertain the troops with his flamboyant impressions, but the bored troops find other ways to enjoy themselves.

Directed by Michael Blakemore · Written by Peter Nichols

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Cast

More from Michael BlakemoreSee all →

A Personal History of the Australian SurfA Personal History of the Australian Surf · 1983
A Personal History of the Australian Surf
10.01983
MovieDocumentary
An autobiographical documentary written and directed by Michael Blakemore in 1981 in which he plays his own father. The film was made on 16mm and first screened in the UK at London's National Film Theatre.
RedcapRedcap · 1964
Redcap
8.01964
SeriesDrama
Redcap is a British television series produced by ABC Weekend Television for ITV. John Thaw stars as Sergeant John Mann, a member of the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police. It ran for 26 episodes over two series between 1964 and 1966, being about 50 minutes in a 60 minute time slot. Surprisingly for a 1960s ABC Weekend Television programme, 23 of the 26 episodes still exist.
Kiss Me, KateKiss Me, Kate · 2003
Kiss Me, Kate
7.72003
MovieMusicComedy
A pair of divorced actors are brought together to participate in a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. Of course, the couple seem to act a great deal like the characters they play, and they must work together when mistaken identities get them mixed up with the mafia.
The LarkinsThe Larkins · 1958
The Larkins
7.61958
SeriesComedyDrama
'The Larkins' is a British television sitcom which was produced by Associated Television and aired on ITV. It aired for four series between 1958 to 1960. An additional two series aired from 1963 to 1964.
The Heart of a ManThe Heart of a Man · 1959
The Heart of a Man
7.01959
Movie
Sailor Frankie Martin is offered a thousand pounds by a millionaire in disguise if he can earn a hundred pounds in a week by honest means. Frankie tries his hand as a boxer, a bouncer and a commissionaire, and finally finds success as a singer. He also falls for the charms of night club chanteuse Julie, and this leads to further success when he wins a recording contract.
ITV Saturday Night TheatreITV Saturday Night Theatre · 1969
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
7.01969
Series
Anthology series of dramatic works.
The Adventures of Sir LancelotThe Adventures of Sir Lancelot · 1956
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot
7.01956
SeriesAction & Adventure
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot is a British television series first broadcast in 1956, produced by Sapphire Films for ITC Entertainment and screened on the ITV network. The series starred William Russell as the eponymous Sir Lancelot, a Knight of the Round Table in the time of King Arthur at Camelot.
Country LifeCountry Life · 1994
Country Life
6.11994
MovieDramaRomance
Adaptation of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" set in rural Australia in the 1920s. Jack Dickens and his niece Sally run the family farm to support brother-in-law Alexander as a (supposedly brilliant) literary critic in London. Action begins when Alexander returns with his beautiful young wife Deborah, revealing himself as an arrogant failure and wanting to sell the farm out from under Jack. Blakemore introduces themes about Australia's separation from England, as well as expanding the pacifist and ecological philosophies espoused by the local Doctor Max Askey.
The Captain's TableThe Captain's Table · 1959
The Captain's Table
6.01959
MovieComedy
A captain is promoted by his company from tramp steamers to their flagship passenger liner. Although he is a thoroughly competent sailor ready to take charge of such a ship, he is less prepared for the social duties his new position involves, not least the way he in which becomes the target for all the unattached women on board.
Catch Us If You CanCatch Us If You Can · 1965
Catch Us If You Can
5.41965
MovieComedyMusic
Dinah is a famous model and actress who is getting tired of life in the limelight and wants to take a break. While shooting a commercial spot for meat, she meets Steve, a stuntman. Dinah and Steve hit it off and decide to head to an island to get away from it all, bringing along four of Steve's friends. Before long, Dinah is reported missing and everyone is looking for her, making their getaway anything but tranquil.
Three SistersThree Sisters · 2003
Three Sisters
2003
Movie
Nearly a thousand miles away from their beloved Moscow, Chekhov's Three Sisters live in virtual exile. Olga, a schoolmistress, attempts to support her siblings and the home that is the sole legacy of their late father.

More Like This

My Own Private IdahoMy Own Private Idaho · 1991
My Own Private Idaho
7.01991
MovieDrama
In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike's estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.
7 Virgins7 Virgins · 2005
7 Virgins
6.12005
MovieDramaCrime
It is summertime in a blue-collar, marginal district of a city in the South of Spain. Tano, a teenager currently serving a sentence in a juvenile reform center, is given a 48-hour leave to attend his brother’s wedding.
Bend It Like BeckhamBend It Like Beckham · 2002
Bend It Like Beckham
6.32002
MovieComedyDrama
Jess Bhamra, the daughter of a strict Indian couple in London, is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are seen by Jules Paxton, who then convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team. Jess uses elaborate excuses to hide her matches from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe.
The HoursThe Hours · 2002
The Hours
7.32002
MovieDrama
The story of three women searching for more potent, meaningful lives. Each is alive at a different time and place, all are linked by their yearnings and their fears. Their stories intertwine, and finally come together in a surprising, transcendent moment of shared recognition.
CrashCrash · 1996
Crash
6.51996
MovieThrillerDrama
A car crash victim inexplicably finds himself aroused by car accidents and becomes involved with an underground subculture of like-minded souls.
Desert HeartsDesert Hearts · 1985
Desert Hearts
7.11985
MovieDramaRomance
While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefree, spirited young woman named Cay.
Pink FlamingosPink Flamingos · 1972
Pink Flamingos
6.11972
MovieComedyCrime
Notorious Baltimore criminal and underground figure Divine goes up against Connie & Raymond Marble, a sleazy married couple who make a passionate attempt to humiliate her and seize her tabloid-given title as "The Filthiest Person Alive".
BuddiesBuddies · 1985
Buddies
8.21985
MovieDrama
David, a naive graduate student, has volunteered to work as a 'buddy' for people dying of AIDS. Assigned to the intensely political Robert, a lifelong activist whose friends and family have abandoned him following his diagnosis, the two men, each with notably different world views, soon discover common bonds, as David's inner activist awakens and Robert's need for emotional release is fulfilled.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter