Reviews (18)

The Singing Rebel
Quite simply this is the funniest film I have ever watched in my life, and features the world's greatest ever comedian, Billy Connolly. Having checked the film out dozens of times as a kid in the 1980's from the local video store, the renown of "Water" somehow seemed to evaporate untraceably from public knowledge. After a long quest to locate a copy a couple of years ago, I am now a lucky owner of this hilarious, up-beat medicine!

Set to the backdrop of Carribean reggae beats, "Water" is the mad tale of the decline of British colonialism in the West Indies, independence and freedom fighters, multinationals and environmentalists. Some unforgettable scenes and some brilliant lines, Billy Connolly and Michael Caine and the star-studded cast are in unique form. Reggae legend Eddy Grant provides the soundtrack, and there are some super-impressive musicians featured on screen ("it's Whosit and Whatsit"!!). There is no film in the world quite like "Water"!!

A Hidden Gem
Despite being poorly received on its release, Water isn't just another of those films Michael Caine did for the money. There's a strong script from Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais, who show an informed knowledge of the confusion arising from the effects of colonialism and post-colonial on West Indian islands, spoofing both the attitudes of the locals and the representatives of Her Majesty's Government.

Caine is splendid as the 'gone native' consul and Billy Connolly excels in an early film role as a half-English half-Cascaran islander, whose sympathies are definitely with the Cascarans. There are also some wonderful musical numbers, featuring George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jon Lord, Eric Clapton, and Connolly himself, proving himself to be a superb singer as well as a fine actor. Leonard Rossiter gives one of his last (fine) performances, Having just thrown away my betamax copy of this, I am rushing to get a replacement now!

Ripped off!
I loved the movie Water ever since it's release in Australia.
I purchased a VHS copy of the origional version back in the 80's. This edition is NOT the origional, there's about 7 minutes removed and only one changed (for worse) scene. Although this is still an exellent movie, a dozen or more good laughs have been removed. The origional is far, far better!

Get it.
A lost marble, definately. Michael Caine is superb, and the story just...takes you for a ride. Smoke if you got'em and enjoy.

Ya gotta love it!!
I've been looking for this tape for sooooo long! Yes, as another reviewer put it, it is a hidden comedy gem. Until I found it here and saw the rest of the reviews, I thought I was the only person on the planet who had ever even heard of this film. No one I know has ever seen it, but that will change because anyone visiting my house will now have the pleasure of watching this wonderful movie. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

very, very funny (but only if you like that type of humor)
Bullshot is a British take off on the Inspector Clouseau/Pink Panther type theme, but imho considerably more entertaining and better done. It's set about the 1920s, very authentic looking sets. The humor is a little rough at times, couldn't recommend it to my mother, but it is among my favorites; Course my favorites also include: Brazil, Real Men, Dr. Strangelove and some Monty Python movies. If your sense of humor is like mine, then you'll LOVE Bullshot! :o)

Complete Bullsh*t
This film is one of if not THE worst film I have ever seen. It is definately not even worth 1 star. Made by George Harrison's Handmade films (And after watching this there is no suprise it went bust). George Harrison had to mortgage his home Friar Park to pay for the production of Monty Python's Life Of Brian but one feels that all George had to do to fund this film was to sell a pair of badly damaged socks on a market stall. The film is filmed in and around George's Friar Park estate and George also sings backing vocals on the theme but don't let this fool you! This film has no plot as such nor any acting that can be seen. It features Mel Smith and Billy Connolly in minor rolls but their neing there unfortunately doesn't help this dead film. One feels that the film would have been many times better if either of them had had a real role or had written it. There is one plus to this film.... After you watch this film ANY film will seem like an oscar winning performance!

One of the best comedies ever made!
This underrated classic is an example of english humour at it's very best. It contains quotes as "I'm a collector of rare insects", "Don't bother to salute", "three on a match" and "I propose mass global war!". If you see the film you'll understand them. Or maybe not.
Anyways it's a film I've seen many times over and over, and it's sad that it didn't launch a career like Monty Python's for these guys. (Monty Python is said to have put some money into this project (Handmade Films).) I know this cast have done two more films "Papa Pepe's Show" and "Tarnished Silver". I don't know where to get them.
And where can I get a hold of Bullshot on DVD?

IT'S A BOMB GATEAU!
This is one of the top five quotable "cult" comedies I've ever seen, along with "J-Men Forever", the "Naked Gun" series, "Blazing Saddles" and "Spinal Tap"--if you are enough of a Britophile to understand the basic premise (veddy British adventurer thwarts Nazis, based on Bulldog Drummond, a period pulp hero in England), this movie is extremely enjoyable and I would compare the title character, clueless but capable, with Frank Drebbin and Inspector Cleauseau--I cannot wait for this to be released on DVD as the VHS is hard to find--also, if I'm not mistaken, this was a Handmade Films picture, which was financed and produced by the late George Harrison who also was behind some of the Monty Python flicks, together and separate--if you like my comparison examples, buy this DVD and get ready to larf your bollocks off!

Very Abundantly Funny!
A *very* British version of a (Pink Panther)/(Peter Sellers) type movie. Very entertaining, very funny. One of my all time favorate movies. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Top of division two
While I hesitate to use the word "genius" in connection with Ronnie Barker or "Porridge" (each is, in the end, not in the first rank of British comedy) both are highly recommended for their intelligence, wit and quality.

"Porridge" is plainly not in the same league as "Fawlty Towers" or "Black Adder" or "Dad's Army" but is perhaps top of division two--an excellent example of the more quotidian British comedy series a la "Keeping Up Appearances"--not that "Porridge" has anything in common with KUA except the high standard of writing and acting.

Ronnie Barker plays a criminal who is well used to life in prison and with wit and sometimes touching humanity helps his young cellmate Godber (Richard Beckinsale of "Rising Damp") to get through each trying day inside. ... Read more