Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-off movie, TV special and record albums – Cleese, Lewis and Walker planned the next show to be a more spectacular event. Cleese focused on broadening the comedic talent to be presented at the show. In addition to the Amnesty show stalwarts drawn from the Oxbridge/Monty Python/Beyond The Fringe orbit, he invited newcomers such as Rowan Atkinson’s colleagues from the BBC TV show Not the Nine O'Clock News including Pamela Stephenson and Griff Rhys Jones; comedian Victoria Wood and regional comic Jasper Carrott. Lewis secured a return appearance by Billy Connolly and a debut appearance by "alternative" comedian Alexei Sayle who Lewis had recently discovered and was managing. Building on the success of Pete Townshend's 1979 appearance Lewis recruited other rock musicians to perform at the 1981 show including Sting, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Donovan and Bob Geldof.
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Reviews
The first Amnesty International benefit film, "The Secret Policeman's Ball", consisted almost exclusively of British comedy--with many of the top comedians the country had to offer--including almost all the Monty Python members. However, by this 1982 film, some changes had occurred. Despite IMDb saying something about the Monty Python alumni, only two of the group are in this one. Many of the other performers are faceless to the average American aside from a young Rowan Atkinson. However, comedy now only made up half the show--the rest were big-name musicians from the era, such as Sting and Phil Collins. Now if the comedy had been good, the music (if you don't care for it) could be ignored and the film still be worth seeing. Unfortunately, none of the skits were particularly funny. In fact, there was almost no laughter to be had if you see it today. Such unfunny skits included one about anonymous gay sex, nude dancers (actually just dressed guys with paper over their naughty bits), a couple decent impersonations (of Mr. Thatcher and Reagan) and a tacky joke about deaf people.Unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing that interested me in this film. Now to put it in context, I LOVE British comedy (my favorite comedies are all British--such as "Monty Python", "The Vicar of Dibley", "Mr. Bean", "Little Britain" and "Waiting for God"). But, I do not like improvised BAD British comedy, so there is absolutely no way I'd recommend this. In fact, I was so disappointed that the music was actually better (and funnier) than the skits.
Neil Innes singing his song "How sweet to be an idiot".This is a totally cool film, but this innocent/crazy song was so memorable.The comedic side-act are off the wall. I loved the two dudes holding their arms in the air and running back and forth past each other, as if they were trapeze artists, while singing a classic circus tune.But for Neil alone this is one to see.This was an early work of the philanthropic Bob Geldof too.This is a filer sentence, to pass inspection. I have said what I wanted to.
Do not miss this one; it has comedy sketches from not only the pythons, but also Rowan Atkinson in top form. Also has some great Neil Innes songs. The only thing that would have made this better would be the presence of Eric Idle.