Main Cast: John Cleese, Denis Quilley, Nicola Pagett, Patrick Pearson, Michael Elphick
Release Year: 1982
Country: UK
Run Time: 100 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This kooky British comedy chronicles the zany and occasionally dramatic exploits of the Song and Dance Unit, Southeast Asia (SADUSEA, pronounced "sad-you-see") assigned to entertain troops stationed in the Malayan jungle during WW II. It is based on a play by Peter Nichols. The entertainers are led by the rigid Major Giles Flack. Much to Flack's discomfiture, most of his unit is gay and enjoys dressing up in drag. The film also contains a serious subplot about a treacherous cad in the group who gets the only real woman in the troupe pregnant and then abuses her. He also steals ammo and information to give to the enemy. In the end, a terrible battle ensues at his hands. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
David Bamber - Sgt. Charles Bishop; Ishaq Bux - Sikh Doorman; Steve Dixon - Drummer; David Griffin - Infantry Officer in the Bush; Jasper Jacob - Bass Player; Simon Jones - Sgt. Eric Young-Love; Joe Melia - Sgt. Len Bonny; Bruce Payne - Flight Sgt. Kevin Artwright; Neil Pearson - Band Pianist; Julian Sands - Sailor; John Standing - Capt. Sholto Savory; Philip Tan - Lee; Vincent Wong - Cheng; Peter Hutchinson - Trumpet Player; Tim Barlow - Commanding Officer; Brigitte Kahn - Mrs. Reg Drummond; Robin Langford - Electrician; John Quayle - Capt. Henry Cox; William Parker - Armed Escort
Credit
Andrew Sanders - Art Director, Michael White - Art Director, Noel Davis - Casting, Gillian Gregory - Choreography, Luciana Arrighi - Costume Designer, Jane Wright - First Assistant Director, Jack Wright - First Assistant Director, Michael Blakemore - Director, Jim Clark - Editor, Denis King - Composer (Music Score), King - Songwriter, Elaine Carew - Makeup, Luciana Arrighi - Production Designer, Ian Wilson - Cinematographer, Redmond Morris - Production Manager, George Harrison - Producer, Simon Relph - Producer, Denis O'Brien - Producer, Peter Hutchinson - Special Effects, Simon Kaye - Sound/Sound Designer, Peter Nichols - Screenwriter, Peter Nichols - Play Author
Privates on Parade is a 1982 film adaptation of the Peter Nicholsplay of the same title about a fictional - and mostly gay - military entertainment group, the "Song and Dance Unit, Southeast Asia" assembled to entertain the troops in the Malayan jungle in the years after World War II.[1]
