Clockwise, 1986
We’re off to the movies for this post as we go back 37 years to look at John Cleese in something other than Python or Fawlty Towers.
Clockwise was a British comedy film first screened in 1986. Filmed around the West Midlands, Yorkshire/Lincolnshire with additional rural scenes shot in Shropshire. Filmed at a time where British Film was becoming popular again after a spell in the doldrums, Clockwise earned John Cleese the 1987 Peter Sellers Award For Comedy at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.
Summary
Brian Stimpson (Cleese), headmaster of Thomas Tompion Comprehensive School, has been elected to chair the annual Headmasters’ Conference.
He is the first headmaster of a comprehensive school to chair a Headmaster’s Conference, that honour usually being reserved for heads of the more prestigious private schools.
As a young man, Stimpson was habitually disorganised, but now in later life, is fastidiously organized and punctual, and his school runs “like clockwork”. However when a series of events put him on course to miss the event things run anything but ‘Clockwise’
Clips
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Cast
John Cleese – Brian Stimpson
Penelope Wilton – Pat
Alison Steadman – Gwenda Stimpson
Stephen Moore – Mr. Jolly
Sharon Maiden – Laura Wisely
Tony Haygarth – Farmer with a Tractor
Details
Written By: Michael Frayn
Produced By: Michael Codron
Directed By: Christopher Morahan
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Original Release Date: March 1986
Despite meticulous rehearsal of his speech and preparations for the journey, his ordered world unwinds as a series of misfortunes befalls him en route, in a manner reminiscent of Greek tragedy. Early signs of trouble include his boarding the wrong train and losing the text of the remarks.