An obsessively punctual comprehensive school headmaster sets out to give an important speech at the annual Headmasters' Conference.An obsessively punctual comprehensive school headmaster sets out to give an important speech at the annual Headmasters' Conference.An obsessively punctual comprehensive school headmaster sets out to give an important speech at the annual Headmasters' Conference.
- Awards
- 1 win
Nadia Sawalha
- Mandy Kostakis
- (as Nadia Carina)
Angus MacKay
- First Class Passenger
- (as Angus Mackay)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe name of the school was Thomas Tompion Comprehensive School. Tompion (1639-1713) was a renowned mechanician, regarded as the father of English clockmaking. He constructed some of the first spring-balanced watches, and some of the timepieces he made are still operational.
- GoofsBy the end of the movie when Stimpson is delivering his speech and the left arm coat sleeve falls down, we can see clearly that is John Cleese himself that pulls something with his right hand making the sleeve fall.
- Quotes
Brian Stimpson: It's not the despair, Laura. I can stand the despair. It's the hope.
- SoundtracksThis Is My Lovely Day
by A.P. Herbert (as Herbert) & Vivian Ellis (as Ellis)
Sung by Ann Way (uncredited)
Chappell Music Ltd
Featured review
Anything featuring the immense talents of John Cleese is automatically worth seeing, and this eighties comedy is certainly no exception. Aside from the great john Cleese, this film benefits from a great number of other positives, including a finely worked script; that manages to stay realistic and down to Earth despite the highly unlikely nature of much of the plot, and the highly farcical nature of many of the events; which bode extremely well with the lead star, as Cleese finds himself in his element in the role of the strict headmaster. Indeed, the major reason why this film works so well is down to the former Monty Python star, as he blunders his way through the film and somehow manages to retain and air of authority while doing so. The comedy styling is one of "it can't get any worse!", and it continually does; as constantly punctual headteacher, Brian Stimpson, finds himself in a world of trouble after missing the train to Norwich, where he is set to make a speech to a meeting of the best headmasters in the country. After acquiring the services of one of his sixth form pupils, he gets back on track to Norwich; but not without a number of problems.
The comedy comes by way of both gags, and the plot itself, which always manages to garner a laugh or two due to its superbly silly nature. Cleese is joined by a number of British stars, who all do well in their respective roles. Sharon Maiden stands out as Cleese's travel companion for much of the film; and somehow manages to look cute despite a truly awful hairstyle. Smaller British stars such as Pete Walker's muse, Sheila Keith, Alison Steadman and Eastenders' John Bardon, who would go on to star as Jim Branning in said soap opera help to liven up the supporting cast. The film does feel typically eighties, but stays away from the more silly side of the decade's cinema and many of the jokes bend more towards the intellectual side. The film is in very good humour throughout, and therefore offers an enjoyable time for its audience. Seeing John Cleese deliver an assembly towards the start will no doubt remind anyone that was schooled in England of that time, and Clockwise does a very good job of presenting it's plot and setting. Overall, this film comes highly recommended to anyone that enjoys fun films.
The comedy comes by way of both gags, and the plot itself, which always manages to garner a laugh or two due to its superbly silly nature. Cleese is joined by a number of British stars, who all do well in their respective roles. Sharon Maiden stands out as Cleese's travel companion for much of the film; and somehow manages to look cute despite a truly awful hairstyle. Smaller British stars such as Pete Walker's muse, Sheila Keith, Alison Steadman and Eastenders' John Bardon, who would go on to star as Jim Branning in said soap opera help to liven up the supporting cast. The film does feel typically eighties, but stays away from the more silly side of the decade's cinema and many of the jokes bend more towards the intellectual side. The film is in very good humour throughout, and therefore offers an enjoyable time for its audience. Seeing John Cleese deliver an assembly towards the start will no doubt remind anyone that was schooled in England of that time, and Clockwise does a very good job of presenting it's plot and setting. Overall, this film comes highly recommended to anyone that enjoys fun films.
- How long is Clockwise?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Clockwise - Recht so, Mr. Stimpson
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,476,356
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $156,066
- Oct 12, 1986
- Gross worldwide
- $1,476,356
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content