Porridge – 1979 | 90 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Big screen spin-off of the ever-popular prison comedy TV series, that like most sitcom crossovers, fails to transfer a tight half-hour script over the length of a feature film. Starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale as the would-be daring duo, Fulton Mackay and Brian Wilde reprise their roles as the prison’s familiar yet contrasting officers. Sadly, there is a lack of originality about many of the comedy scenario’s as they were lifted from the TV series, and viewers may feel they are watching a compendium of old clips.

Mismatched cellmates Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker) and Lennie Godber (Richard Beckinsale) are coerced into aiding an escape attempt from Slade Prison during a celebrities-against-prisoners football match. The breakout of offender Oakes (Barrie Rutter) is organised by the prison kingpin Grouty (Peter Vaughan) – and when Fletcher takes an injured Godber to the changing rooms they stumble on the escape plan, and becoming unwilling participants in the escape. Subsequently, they have to think of a way of breaking back in before their absence is detected by their archenemy, Mr Mackay (Fulton Mackay), and a new officer Beal (Christopher Godwin), who shares Mackay’s authoritarian manner. Borrowing a scheme from The Wooden Horse, Fletch and Godber manage to sneak back into Slade Prison and discover a comforting refuge whilst they await discovery.