The Accidental Death of an Anarchist (1983 TV Movie) User Reviews

Completely Nuts

[akspeck · 10/10 · 9 May 2001]

There has been a death in a police station in Milan. The police say it was suicide, but the coroner says accidental death and now there are riots and an inquiry is about to start. Enter the Lunatic (Gavin Richards - now in BBC's Eastenders) who impersonates a judge and conducts the inquiry. All hell breaks loose.

What can I say - this has to be seen to be believed. It is a little dated by the political jokes (especially about Mrs Thatcher's regime) - but still hysterically funny. I first saw this when I was in my teens and my sister and I will still spontaneously burst into bits of this at the slightest provocation. This is definitely not for the conservative viewer. It definitely helps if your own politics are to the left of centre (or a long way left of centre for Americans). But definitely worth tracking down. enjoy

Inspired lunacy and political satire.

[SeasideSteve · 10/10 · 19 September 2003]

An English language version of the Dario Fo play concerning the investigation into the death of a anarchist in police custody. A master of disguise (the loony) subverts the investigation to uncover the truth that the authorities would prefer to keep quiet. The approach is wild and irreverent but even when at it's most farcical the play retains a sharp political edge. An excellent cast throughout support the outstanding Gavin Richards in the lead role. This play appeared on Channel4 in its early days but has been rarely (if ever) re-shown. This is a real loss. I would personally pay good money for a DVD copy.

Dario Fo's finest farce excellently translated

[chris_tofts · 10/10 · 23 December 2001]

Have been trying to get this on video for 10 years. Managed to record it on second showing but relative (unnamed to protect the guilty) over recorded with ozzie soap! This TV production is excellent. Richards' translation is superb, a completely different actor from that of 'allo 'allo. The pace is stunning, the language brilliant and no one loses their trousers. To discuss the plot is to ruin the presentation, but the galosh joke is a moment of the highest comedy.

I cannot recommend this highly enough, and hope that it can be seen somewhere as thames television do not seem to want to make money by selling a video.

I still want a copy of this, it's very surreal!!

[graham_johnson · 10/10 · 5 December 2002]

It's a very surreal studio based version of the play. Very much of it's era, I saw it in 1983 when it first came out and again about 5 years ago (a friend had taped it).

For those unfamiliar with the play it concerns the investigation of how an anarchist fell to his death from the window of a police station. The only issue is that the investigating magistrate is an imposter, or an escaped lunatic.

He has the policemen involved tied up in knots by his actions.

The end poses a moral question over state vs anarchy.

I did ask Channel 4 if they would ever show it again and they said probably not. A great pity.

sad page of Italian history

[bobceffo · 27 November 2004]

translation of Dario Fo's work of the early seventies. the anarchist was Pinelli, accused of bombing a bank (17 deads). He was innocent. The slaughter was organized by a deviate part of Italian secret services, as proved 20 years later. there's an Italian version with the unique play of Dario Fo, somewhere in the net. in 1971 Dario Fo wrote this piece, and started a long tour through the country. Italian government and secret services tried to stop the show legally, with denunciations, trials. It did non work, so they tried illegally: bombs in the theatre, physical aggression to the actors.It did not work, so here you have the sadly funny story of the accidental death of an anarchist. enjoy

Fabulous!

[robert-peebles · 10/10 · 19 September 2003]

I first saw this in the mid '80s when I was living in London. Fortunately I taped it so I was able to see it again several times over the course of a few years. It was an absolutely fabulous production.

Sadly I lost possession of the tape in the late '80s and haven't been able to find a copy of it since. It is a true masterpiece and I will be thrilled if it is ever released on video or DVD.

Unforgettable

[doug-coull · 10/10 · 5 September 2010]

The other reviewers have summed this up very well.

I saw it in London on stage - then watched it on Channel 4 with my family.

Everyone has taken it to heart.

We all remember our favourite scenes - for me it was the 'train' - howled with laughter.

The actors worked hard to produce something special.

The author produced a masterpiece for sure.

Channel 4 were I think brave at the time to produce this, as it wasn't mainstream TV.

The cast were so funny in addressing the background crew prior to the adverts.

Like so many others I crave a copy - have stupidly lost the one I had.

Would love to hear from anyone that could supply a copy.

I would do anything to get this on DVD

[davetong · 10/10 · 1 August 2003]

I'll never forget the first time I saw this. I turned on part way through and missed the beginning, but in no time I was quite literally rolling on the floor, laughing until I cried.

Gavin Richards was absolutely superb as the anarchist. The comedic timing was spot on and they took full advantage of the fact that this was a recording of a play in front of a live audience, slipping [deliberately] out of character, getting the audience to swear in unison ("Oh you lovely people! On the telly! In front of millions!") and taking a tea break between acts.

20 years on, and it's a real tragedy that this still isn't available to buy. This was what Channel 4 was all about.

Re: "(a friend had taped it)

[david_biggins · 10/10 · 28 September 2008]

:: Author: graham_johnson from London,england :: I saw it in 1983 when it first came out and again about 5 years ago (a friend had taped it).

:: I did ask Channel 4 if they would ever show it again and they said probably not.

Locate that friend. CAREFULLY make a copy. Run, do not walk, to the British Film Institute.

I'm reliably informed that the reason C4 will "probably not" show it again is not any lack of desire or awareness of public interest...

Apparently they lost their master in an accident, and there is no known complete copy of this programme still existing ANYEHERE.

If anyone knows the location of even partial copies, there are attempts in progress to reconstruct it.

Very very good comedy

[raindog951 · 10/10 · 15 August 2006]

I'm so glad I found someone else in the world who saw this. I was beginning to think I was the only one!

It's a truly excellent comedy - anarchic, insane, controversial, thought provoking. Even now, 23 years later I can still remember the lines and key moments. Comedy acting at its best, with ad lib moments and quick thinking throughout.

All the actors put their whole heart and being into the parts, and it's unlike anything you've seen before, seeming to be almost unscripted in parts.

The question now is can you get it on video? I'd love to get hold of this!

Oh wow!

[feenicks-746-559270 · 10/10 · 24 May 2010]

Oh i Love this! An all time classic and was most disappointed to be unable to find a copy of it online, even to order of amazon or something.... So I came here looking leads on a way to find a good copy of it... but alas to no avail. My desire being that i couldn't be bothered rummaging in the garage for that VHS copy i'm sure is in a box in there somewhere. But it in fact seems, that, reading the comments here... it seems i would be well advised to go find that box in the garage Seems a rummage in the garage may be the only way to see it again. And if i find it, it could be something others just may be interested in....

EDIT: Garage hunt successful. Holding tape in hand now. Now just to figure out how to hook VCR to computer and make digital copy.

Fast, Sharp and Very Very Funny......I still desperately want a copy

[r-v-reid · 10/10 · 13 January 2008]

I caught this play purely by accident(no pun intended). I was about 18 at the time and I still think its one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I seem to remember it being performed by, The Belt And Braces Roadshow, but I could be wrong. Gavin Richards was magnificent and the energy that all the cast put in was amazing. Its flying pace and mixture of slapstick visuals/fast dialogue reminded me of The Marx Brothers at their best. I also recall a Pink Panther-esquire elbows on protruding desk blotter moment that sent stuff flying. One other moment that has stuck in my head all these years was the scene where they are trying to work out how the anarchist managed to fall from the window....to me....to you....to me....oops....I thought you had hold of him...etc.(I think The Chuckle Brothers must have been tuned in...well plagiarism does save time you know !!) and of course the Galosh, but I don't think anybody has pinched that one. All this comedic quality while still maintaining the biting political satire makes it an outstanding achievement that deserves many more broadcasts....shame that is very unlikely.

Top-Class humour

[ian-512 · 10/10 · 24 March 2008]

The world needs to demand a media release of this classic production. Reviews on this web-site to-date show that most age groups, regardless of gender, find this movie to be excellent. I know of no other satirical works of the same length of run that can begin to compare with "Accidental Death Of An Anarchist". There are no slow sections, there are no boring sections. Yes, we do have a tea break, but the audience is involved in this too. Guaranteed you won't want to make a cuppa or go grab a beer. OK, maybe a beer. You'll be too engrossed and will not want to risk losing a second of the story. Comparable satirical/skit works, done by greatly talented artistes, struggle to last 5 minutes on TV, "Accidental Death Of An Anarchist" goes on for well over an hour. You will be spell bound. You will laugh. You will watch it repeatedly. As time goes by, you will know the script by heart, but you will never tire of it. However, you will never ever manage to perfect the train impression, though your kids will demand many an encore.