Whoops Apocalypse Review

3 star British classic now remastered in high definition.

From the pen of Andrew Marshall (The Kenny Everet Television Show) and David Renwick (One Foot in the Grave, Jonathan Creek) comes this very British satirical comedy. Directed by Tom Bussmann, it was originally released in 1986. It is now available to buy in the UK on remastered Blu-ray courtesy of Network.

“Hugo Burlap personified the American Dream. For a man to rise from a humble circus clown to president of the United States, I believe speaks volumes for our democratic tradition.”

In 1583 a British ship ran aground on the shores of Central America. In true British tradition, they claimed the banana plantation of Santa Maya for England by planting a flag in a local native. In 1865, neighbouring country Maguadora laid claim to the land, but the English prevailed.

Now, present day (in this case 1986) right wing Junta are elected in Maguadora, led by General Mosquera (Herbert Lom – The Dead Zone, The Sect), who immediately decides to retake the territory. Of course the Prime Minister Sir Mortimer Chris (Peter Cook – Supergirl, The Princess Bride) is not about to take that lying down.

Enter the newly appointed President of the United States, Barbara Adams (Loretta Swit – M.A.S.H.), weirdly the voice of reason who insists on a diplomatic sitdown. This is sabotaged by international criminal Lacrobat (Michael Richards – Seinfeld) and matters begin to escalate. As General Mosquera resorts to having Princess Wendy (Joanne Pearce – The Talisman) kidnapped, the race is on to find her and avoid all out nuclear war.

“Holy chopped meat. Princess Wendy went whittling with a razor yesterday and had a ball.”

Whoops Apocalypse is an entertaining film, extremely British in it’s humour. There are some stand out moments, Rik Mayall (The Young One, Bottom) is his usual over enthusiastic self as an incompetant S.A.S officer and Alexei Sayle (Carry on Columbus, Gloves Off)  is brilliantly dead pan as an undercover soviet operative.

It is perhaps unfortunate timing on the release, with the apocalypse feeling ever closer and some of the humour perhaps hasn’t aged as well as it might have. It’s a bit cringeworthy in places, but very clever and certainly makes it’s point about the ridiculous nature of politics and how quickly things can escalate.  There are a few funny ongoing gags, not least of which the final moment of the film, very good!

One of the highlights for me, and well worth getting to the end, the credits roll to the dulcet tones of Jon Otway, a lovely surprise. With lots of special features, this is a great one to add to your collection.

“You’re telling me that the entire population of Great Britain went and elected a deranged psychotic to the highest office of the land? Again?”

Whoops Apocalypse is available to buy now on Blu-ray.