The Great McGonagall – 1974 | 95 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Incoherent comedy set in Victorian England inspired by the life of William McGonagall, the 19th century Scottish self-styled poet who was determined to be the Queen’s laureate but wrote nonsensical verse not unlike Milligan. More a mixture of revue skits and fantasy sketches than a genuine feature film, The Great McGonagall fails to find an appropriate visual style for the potentially amusing material and Milligan’s predominantly verbal humour. �Peter Sellers joins his fellow goon in the role of Queen Victoria but this flounders as Milligan overacts and the comic exchanges appear forced; as if they were a dire musical hall double-act.

Opening at the Theatre Royal, Dundee, Scottish weaver William Topaz McGonagall falls under the spell of Queen Victoria during a command performance. McGonagall retired from his job as a weaver and subsequently devoted his time to being and poet, and dreams of being honoured and made Poet Laureate. �He makes his first public appearance performing Macbeth in a Dundee penny theatre, and soon intends to perform in front of Queen Victoria at BaImoral – but in reality he is turned away.