Sadly neglected and forgotten gem of a movie showcasing the incredible and anarchic humour of legend Spike Milligan. Spike plays the eponymous hero of the movie, the Great Mcgonagall, the worlds worst poet who "gave up his job as an unemployed weaver to follow the muse.
I don't like badmouthing films but this must be one of the worst I've ever seen, self-indulgent nonsense. Whilst I admire a lot of Spike Milligans work I cant help but feel that instead of giving us a straightforward telling of McGonagalls life (which certainly seems to have been entertaining enough) he decided to spoof it up to the point where it made no sense and as a viewer your sitting, wondering what on earth is going on and desperately looking for a storyline.
This is an update on my June 2003 comments which I had I posted based on my recollections of the videotape that I'd hired in the early 80's - but which I hadn't seen anywhere since. So I was surprised to see the DVD listed for release in Australia in October (2004) and immediately ordered a copy.
Spike Milligan never got an even break. After he redefined comedy and pop culture on the radio with his scripts and performances on "The Goon Show," driving himself in the process to a nervous breakdown, he had to watch while his flabby "Goon Show" partner Peter Sellers became a film comedy superstar.
This film is totally hilarious. The film is a loose adaptation of the life of William "Topaz" Mcgonagall, said to be the worst poet circa 1890.
Firstly I ought to say that apart from me its hard to see who this film will appeal to. To really enjoy it i think that you have to love the real poet Mcgonagall (otherwise you will miss the hilarious fact that all the poetry read in the film is quite real and written seriously) and have to appreciate the very surreal pythonesque humor (such as Prince Albert being dressed as Hitler from the waist up).
This is the film that "Wind From the East" so desperately wanted to be. Deconstructs itself before your very eyes.
McGonagall was a great poet. Of this there is no doubt.
This movie uses the poems of William McGonagall in form of theater and fantasies to tell the story of this most famous bad verse poet who completely left his day job to become a poet and perform for Queen Victoria.This movie is not for all tastes and definitely not a commercial type one, but if you can get into the subject and the style its hilarious!