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IMDbPro

Doing Time

Original title: Porridge
  • 19791979
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
Ronnie Barker in Doing Time (1979)
ComedyCrime
This prison comedy is based on the popular British television series of the same name. Long time Slade prison inmate Fletcher is ordered by Grouty to arrange a football match between the pri... Read allThis prison comedy is based on the popular British television series of the same name. Long time Slade prison inmate Fletcher is ordered by Grouty to arrange a football match between the prisoners and an all-star celebrity team. Fletcher is unaware that the match is only a divers... Read allThis prison comedy is based on the popular British television series of the same name. Long time Slade prison inmate Fletcher is ordered by Grouty to arrange a football match between the prisoners and an all-star celebrity team. Fletcher is unaware that the match is only a diversion so that an escape can take place. When Fletcher and his cell mate Lennie stumble on th... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
    • Dick Clement
    • Dick Clement
    • Ian La Frenais
  • Stars
    • Ronnie Barker
    • Richard Beckinsale
    • Fulton Mackay
    • Dick Clement
    • Dick Clement
    • Ian La Frenais
  • Stars
    • Ronnie Barker
    • Richard Beckinsale
    • Fulton Mackay
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos25

    Doing Time (1979)
    Doing Time (1979)
    Ronnie Barker in Doing Time (1979)
    Doing Time (1979)
    Doing Time (1979)
    Ronnie Barker and Fulton Mackay in Doing Time (1979)
    Fulton Mackay in Doing Time (1979)
    Fulton Mackay in Doing Time (1979)
    Ronnie Barker and Peter Vaughan in Doing Time (1979)
    Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale in Doing Time (1979)
    Brian Wilde in Doing Time (1979)
    Peter Vaughan in Doing Time (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ronnie Barker
    Ronnie Barker
    • Fletcher
    Richard Beckinsale
    Richard Beckinsale
    • Lennie
    Fulton Mackay
    Fulton Mackay
    • Mackay
    Brian Wilde
    Brian Wilde
    • Barrowclough
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Harry Grout
    Julian Holloway
    Julian Holloway
    • Bainbridge
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    • Governor
    Christopher Godwin
    • Beal
    Barrie Rutter
    Barrie Rutter
    • Oakes
    Daniel Peacock
    • Rudge
    Sam Kelly
    Sam Kelly
    • Warren
    Ken Jones
    • Ives
    Philip Locke
    Philip Locke
    • Banyard
    Gorden Kaye
    Gorden Kaye
    • Dines
    • (as Gordon Kaye)
    Oliver Smith
    Oliver Smith
    • McMillan
    Andrew Dunford
    • Armstrong
    Steve Steen
    • Wellings
    • (as Steven Steen)
    Ivan Steward
    • Simkin
      • Dick Clement
      • Dick Clement
      • Ian La Frenais
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the last film appearance by Richard Beckinsale. He died during editing of the film.
    • Goofs
      During the football game, all shots of the game itself are in heavy overcast weather. Shots of Fletcher, the Governor and the substitute bench, however, occur with a clear blue sky behind them and the sun in their eyes.
    • Quotes

      [watching Mackay testing the curry in the prison kitchens]

      Fletcher: Course, he sees 'imself as an authority on curry, he does, on account of where he was stationed in the army.

      Rudge: India?

      Fletcher: No, Bradford.

    • Crazy credits
      The song over the final credits ends abruptly with the sound of a prison door being slammed.
    • Connections
      Featured in Porridge @ 30 (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Free Inside
      (uncredited)

      Composed by Lem Lubin and Ian La Frenais

      Arranged by Ray Russell

      Sung by Joe Brown

    User reviews26

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Even funnier than the TV Series.
    What is odd about this film is that i didnt know it existed.There are many spin off films made from British Comedy series's such as Steptoe and Son , On The Buses and Are You Being Served all of which are shown at christmas at far too shorter intervals and all are far inferior to the actual TV shows. Porridge is different. This has hardly ever been seen on TV and is very funny , even funnier than the TV series. Ronnie Barker has a fantastic knack of comedy timing. When he delivers the punch lines you cant help but smile or in the case of this film laugh out loud. The film is very true to the programme and has all the characters we have grown to love over the years.The story is nothing spectacular but it does not need to be because the interaction between wardens and lags is what makes the film. This is one of the best comedy series to film i have ever seen. 8 out of 10.
    helpful•8
    3
    • CharltonBoy
    • Jan 1, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 16, 1979 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Chelmsford Prison, Chelmsford, Essex, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Black Lion Films
      • Witzend Productions
      • ITC Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 33 minutes
      • Mono

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