I watched this film because I have recently returned from visiting the Offa's Dyke Information Centre in Prestatyn. I have an interest in the ancient path. Unfortunately the film isn't interesting enough. The story follows three chaps who previously walked along the route during their university days, and twenty years later they attempt to do it again. Meanwhile, housewife Janet (Pauline Quirke) wants to walk the path, too, but her ignorant husband (Brian Conley) isn't interested in her or what she wants. So Janet decides to set off on her own. The three chaps are Arthur, the loud, obnoxious womaniser; Geoffrey, the rich businessman who takes his laptop and mobile on the trip; and Andy, the quieter one who has a disease and hasn't long to live. Janet meets the fellows and we follow the four of them. Throw into the mix Dennis Waterman has a private investigator, two Swedish lady walkers, a woman who stalks Geoffrey and demands him to impregnate her, a twitcher who dies, a bar of rowdy squaddies and a country Western dance, and it might sound appealing and lively, but somehow it isn't. It ultimately feels vacuous. I think the running time of 106 minutes is too long. This would have worked better has a one-hour TV programme.
11 Reviews
Tourism TV
clevelander24 August 2003
This British (very) light comedy, is a conventional modern Pilgrims Progress that attempts to do for the Offa's Dyke long-distance walking path what "Shirley Valentine" did for Greece and "Educating Rita" did for the Open University.
The cluster of UK TV-hits acting talent did their best with the script, but ultimately were unable to get past the contemporary clichés and cardboard characterisations. Since the star was meant to be the landscape and a flavour of how nice it is to walk through the English/Welsh Countryside, the director should have gone the whole hog and treated us to the best spectacle the location has to offer. However, the shots are fine enough, authentic and evocative, and that's what kept me awake late at night watching it right through to the end. And the message of the story - that I have turned into a TV/computer couch-potato, managed to hit home.
Just for the record, Offa's Dyke was the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the Berlin Wall, (or, to be more up to date, the Palestine Wall.) It is 180 miles long, and built by Offa, King of Mercia, in the latter half of the 8th century to separate the Welsh from the English. Today it winds through English and Welsh Counties, thus one gets a bit of both, which the film conveys.
I wanted to give it 5.5 heading for 6 by my scoring method, but for some reason I settled on 5, probably through feeling embarrassed for the competent team of actors, and the UK comedy industry as a whole.
The cluster of UK TV-hits acting talent did their best with the script, but ultimately were unable to get past the contemporary clichés and cardboard characterisations. Since the star was meant to be the landscape and a flavour of how nice it is to walk through the English/Welsh Countryside, the director should have gone the whole hog and treated us to the best spectacle the location has to offer. However, the shots are fine enough, authentic and evocative, and that's what kept me awake late at night watching it right through to the end. And the message of the story - that I have turned into a TV/computer couch-potato, managed to hit home.
Just for the record, Offa's Dyke was the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the Berlin Wall, (or, to be more up to date, the Palestine Wall.) It is 180 miles long, and built by Offa, King of Mercia, in the latter half of the 8th century to separate the Welsh from the English. Today it winds through English and Welsh Counties, thus one gets a bit of both, which the film conveys.
I wanted to give it 5.5 heading for 6 by my scoring method, but for some reason I settled on 5, probably through feeling embarrassed for the competent team of actors, and the UK comedy industry as a whole.
Meandering but has it's moments
squareeyes1 November 2004
Nice lightweight late night BBC film with a lot of familiar UK television faces such as the ever reliable Robert Daws . Could have done with more of Brian Conley as Pauline Quirke's unfaithful husband . His insensitive oafs are always a laugh . Check him out as Doug Digby , the bullying PE teacher in The Grimleys , an overlooked UK comedy of a few years back .
The scenery is , of course marvelous . Could be a tourist ad for Wales. Arthur's (or Offa's ) Dyke is spectacular . Two highpoints , for the " lads " are the almost Carry On scenes with Ellie Beaven and Rebecca Lacey . Gratuitous but fun . Worth seeing .
The scenery is , of course marvelous . Could be a tourist ad for Wales. Arthur's (or Offa's ) Dyke is spectacular . Two highpoints , for the " lads " are the almost Carry On scenes with Ellie Beaven and Rebecca Lacey . Gratuitous but fun . Worth seeing .
A sad waste of British acting talent
Tony-16629 May 2007
Caught this late last night on UK BBC 1 - Wish I hadn't.
What could have been a pretty good film was badly let down by one of the worst scripts I have ever seen in British film of this type.
Stereotypical characters of the very worst type.
90% of this film was rendered unwatchable by dialogue that comes across as written by a 13 year old.
EG - Lets have a gay hotel owner. Make him camp it up like John Inman on crystal meth. Then give him some dialogue that would have been kicked out of the worst "Carry On". "Fricasee", yeah what a hoot.
A great shame.
What could have been a pretty good film was badly let down by one of the worst scripts I have ever seen in British film of this type.
Stereotypical characters of the very worst type.
90% of this film was rendered unwatchable by dialogue that comes across as written by a 13 year old.
EG - Lets have a gay hotel owner. Make him camp it up like John Inman on crystal meth. Then give him some dialogue that would have been kicked out of the worst "Carry On". "Fricasee", yeah what a hoot.
A great shame.
Great Movie
flick1-119 May 2005
A road trip with a difference. This film superbly charts the lives of 3 students who meet again after 20 years to conquer a long distance walk. Along the way they pick up a middle aged Pauline Quirke, who wants to leave the drudgery of her life and find something to give her a jolt. The cast is cast brilliantly, Robert Daws plays the obnoxious Arthur to great effect, bullying the others along. He tries desperately to relive his younger days, attempting to sleep with any woman that passes his way. This movie will appeal to Uk fans and lovers of great story lines alike. The ending may appear a little strange but works well with the story that had unfolded throughout.
Avoid this film!
moose200123 January 2003
Despite so much acting talent between the main characters, the script, direction, premise and plot are all atrocious. Looks like it was made for Sunday evening consumption. Should have been a made-for-cable or not made at all. Avoid!
An experienced overview based on personal experience
theibm14 April 2003
A fine and classically accurate representation of country hikes in the UK. I have a lot of experience of such walks and consider this movie a definite five star effort. Warren Clarke was superb. I am STILL laughing!
It made me feel quite homesick.
I was surprised at the negative comments in one of the other reviews, obviously written by someone who has never gone past the end of the street!
It made me feel quite homesick.
I was surprised at the negative comments in one of the other reviews, obviously written by someone who has never gone past the end of the street!
Despite the negative comments, I liked it.
hacklet29 April 2003
It seems odd to see so many negative comments about this film - Maybe the people who watched it were expecting something more like "Cliffhanger".
This is one of those quirky films that the British do very well - It's not hugely about anything, though in some ways it's a "coming of age" movie for people who have already come of age. I have nothing else to add about the plot, that has been covered in other reviews but if you want to watch a nice film that is very British and possibly requires quite a subtle sense of humour at times to appreciate (though other times, not so subtle; we still stereotype Swedes better than they do!).
This is one of those quirky films that the British do very well - It's not hugely about anything, though in some ways it's a "coming of age" movie for people who have already come of age. I have nothing else to add about the plot, that has been covered in other reviews but if you want to watch a nice film that is very British and possibly requires quite a subtle sense of humour at times to appreciate (though other times, not so subtle; we still stereotype Swedes better than they do!).
Shamefully assembled.
lord_seagrave25 February 2003
In spite of an humourous and interesting summary, Arthur's Dyke failed to sustain either humour or interest for any length of time. There are moments of well-observed comedy, but it looks and feels like an extended Sunday night drama - although overly long and disappointingly shallow.
The film attempts to incorporate too much (neglect, terminal illness, ignorance, regret, homophobia etc) and is tarnished by a pointless cameo from Dennis Waterman. The story is potentially good, but let down in execution because insufficient time and depth is afforded to the key areas of the plot, and the cluttering of other (crassly inserted) issues.
Having said that, it is well shot and occassionally witty, and Quirke's performance is solid. The viewer will, however, gain more from an average episode of 'Down to Earth'.
The film attempts to incorporate too much (neglect, terminal illness, ignorance, regret, homophobia etc) and is tarnished by a pointless cameo from Dennis Waterman. The story is potentially good, but let down in execution because insufficient time and depth is afforded to the key areas of the plot, and the cluttering of other (crassly inserted) issues.
Having said that, it is well shot and occassionally witty, and Quirke's performance is solid. The viewer will, however, gain more from an average episode of 'Down to Earth'.
Quaint English comedy
dshesketh21 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Lovely little film. Makes me want to get out hike like I used to. Something I wished I had done years ago with my old mates. Great performance by Pauline Quirke even though I'm not really a great fan of hers. Dennis Waterman was great to watch as usual Stunning scenery and some very funny moments. I do have to admit the character of Arthur seemed a bit to rude at times but guess that's what makes the unfortunate events he has to endure seem funnier. I thought the story line was very entertaining and would recommend this film. I do wish they had made it to the end as for me it seems a little unfinished.
Off out tomorrow to buy the DVD.
Off out tomorrow to buy the DVD.
hit or miss
trvwatson26 September 2003
If you like to see films with beautiful landscapes elegant villages, and wooded forest, then this is a good film for you, but take away that and your left with really nothing, the characters were fine but should have been given more depth, and at the end when Pauline quirke decided to leave her annoying but loverble sidekicks, left me just thinking, what about there sticking together, i know one was taken to hospital, but it ruined for me what i thought was a journey of friendship and understanding for each other, but i was left thinking that Pauline's character was a bit cold Pauline quirke gives her usual sulky sarcastic performance, as always, and the others are just watchable, i think this film only pulled through due to the surroundings of where it was filmed, A hit or miss
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