Privilege – 1967 | 103 mins | Comedy, Drama, Music | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Ambitious and intelligent Peter Watkins satire of the rock world being used by the Establishment as a force for keeping the masses quiet in times of unrest. Johnny Speight’s uneven story did allow Watkins to make some pertinent points anticipating both the Festival of Light,and the way that rock culture has been absorbed and rendered harmless by the society it is supposed to be rebelling against. Much of the acting is poor as the film is headed by a comatosed Paul Jones of Manfred Mann fame, and 60s fashion icon Jean Shrimpton, whose acting talent unfortunately doesn’t match her looks.

Steven Shorter (Paul Jones), Britain’s most loved pop star, whose career is carefully managed and manipulated. Eventually his popularity is such that his image is transformed into that of a religious leader, and he is manipulated into launching a new form of Nationalism dominated by the church and the state who demand that the youth of Britains wear an allegiance to flag and country with the promise ‘I will conform’. After feeling himself torn apart, Shorter rebels.