Please Sir!

source: Please Sir!

A British sitcom that I know that I will never watch turned into a full length British motion picture that probably had little release in the United States, it's a passable comedy time filler focusing on the staid and uncool administration and teachers of a British high school, all but teacher John Alderton who is one of the chaperones of an overnight school trip, where most of the kids look like they are past college age. There are some comical moments concerning the by the books strict administrators and teachers who have no sense of fun, with the exception of Alderton, and they are amusing to laugh at, particularly the young women's chaperone, a prim and proper bird like woman who gets the vapors and turns bright red just with the thought of anything sexual. When she sees Alderton and another teacher talking in the hall after school is out, she makes an instant interference to prevent anything inappropriate from happening. Alderton follows the rules only so he won't be accused of impropriety, but he's one of the cool guys, so the students tend to flock to him and do all they can to avoid all the other elders on the school campus and on vacation. As for the student's hijinks, it's nothing that hasn't been done before, only other films have done it better. If this hadn't been a British sitcom before the movie came out, I might think of it as one of the "Carry-On" movies, although those were a lot funnier. The only way this is a comedy is because of the excessive light-hearted atmosphere, and the laughs really are limited.

One of the early Tv spin offs of popular television sit coms and most certainly one of the best. Set around Fenn st school mans it's hapless teacher Hedges and his colleagues and his class 5c made up of many lively characters. The plot is around a school camp and some gypsies they meet as well as a sub plot involving a pupils scruffy abusive father . The jokes and script are superb and everybody looks to be having a great time that adds so much to the film. Not many other films of this type bettered this one.

March 2022 I though i had already reviewed this last year, but i havent, so having recently watched the series here we go. I love this film and have watched it loads, i put in on par with the film version of bless this house from the same time period, which also had a tv series to go with it. Loads of fun, very easy viewing and fun for all the family. I am glad to say certain things from the film were continued when they went back to the series, so that was a good thing, and many of the same actors were the same ones from the series and film. John Alderton stars as the schoolteacher trying to keep control on his bunch of loveable rogues. Good stuff, and far superior to the series 9 out of 10.

In this spin off based on the popular TV sitcom, Mr Hedges (John Alderton) takes his troublesome class 5C to a holiday camp with inevitably comic and disastrous results. Despite the humour being a touch on the politically incorrect and racy side by modern standards, this is mainly a light hearted and good natured affair that never takes itself seriously at all. Featuring all the regular gang from the TV show (all the 'kids' look like they are in their twenties and thirties), and a few knowing nods to the pop culture of the day ('Hendrix Lives' written on a blackboard, alluding to the then recent death of Jimi Hendrix), the movie was one of the most popular at the British Box Office in 1972. Mike Vickers did the music, which features Cilla Black performing La La La Lu (I Love You).

I attended comprehensive schools and the behaviour of pupils reflect the antics this film tries to portray. I thoroughly enjoyed this film it brought back many fond memories of another decade,

They just don't make them like this anymore. Schools back then were so different to today's versions and made for great comedy. John Alderton is great as the put upon teacher while all the kids run wild whist harbouring a huge amount respect for him. Risqué in today's climate with constant clips around the ears for the cheeky kids but yeah, it's great.

A classic British comedy with very enjoyable and clever script, if you're into this genre of movies. Its a story about a school camping trip with a particularly unruly group of students chaperoned by their teacher Mr. Hedges (played by John Alderton) and all the comically disgruntled events that ensues due to the misdemeanour and the general lack of discipline among the students. Overall great acting by all the artists with John Alderton dishing out an absolute masterpiece of a performance. It wont be everyone's cup of tea but when it is it would be one of the finest.

I love this movie, I'm watching it as I'm writhing this. It's up there with Holiday and Mutiny on the buses. Great acting, laugh a minute, family fun movie.

I think that this is one of the few occasions from the period of remaking British television sitcoms for cinema, that the vibe of the original series was captured so beautifully, and even enhanced. This is one of my favourite movies of all time in actual fact, because the fundamental themes are about being nice to your friends, respecting their beliefs, sticking up for them, and consciously including and taking care of those who are different and that are less fortunate. Like many of the comedies of the day, particularly those made by London Weekend Television, the humour is broad, and there is a good deal of very unsubtle social commentary. Class divisions, inner-city poverty, and race relations form an ongoing theme, but are dealt with comically and you never feel like you are being preached at. The writers, John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, demonstrate a far more enlightened and thoughtful perspective than many of their peers. They also don't hesitate to poke fun at the attempts of people of liberal sensibilities to readily accept allegations of racism, and to over- compensate with their empathy. A black student, Wesley, played by Brinsley Forde, is accidentally left behind when the coach, enroute to the school camp, departs without him after a roadside stop. He is picked up by Penny (Jill Kerman) and he mischievously convinces her that he's been the tragic victim of his white fascist teacher who is also his slumlord. When they catch up to the bus, the very benign - and scrupulously mindful of other cultures - Mr Hedges (John Alderton) attempts to thank Penny for taking care of their student, and she lets him have it; "Trevor Huddlestone was right about people like you!" Leaving aside any deeper analysis, it's a nicely written film, with likeable actors and characters, and just enough comical conflict. (Did you say something, yer pasty-faced pillock?") The incidental music, and soundtrack song, Cilla Black's La-La-Lu, are pretty cool as well. I find this film always makes you feel better for having watched it.