Sunday, August 08, 2021

The Breaking of Bumbo (1971) ** (warning: spoilers)

 Part of Bryan Forbes' slate at EMI Films this is a swinging sixties film that probably came out too late. Maybe he was also thinking it could be another Virgin Soldiers but there had been The Jokers, If, and all those sorts of movies.

It's also about the guards at Buckingham Palace which kind of limits its appeal  - that's a very specific demo unlike National Servicemen. 

Richard Warwick is an engaging chap who makes his role unsleazy though he lacks a little in the charisma department. (The original director wanted Chris Cazanove.) Joanna Lumley is great fun as the protestor he hooks up with.

There's anarchic humour and a bleak ending with Warwick getting his head blown off and no one caring. But it was hard to care.

Edward Fox is in it. It's a relic of its era (even though the film never got a proper release).

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