Whoops Apocalypse – 1986 | 93 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Four years after the original ITV series, writers Andrew Marshall and David Renwick returned with this feature length satirical black comedy again lampooning events of the ‘near future’. Despite the big-screen potential, the toned-down lacks cohesion and film sticks meekly to a conventional framework. Despite the odd amusing scene, it never manages to sink its teeth into the absurdity of international affairs as Dr Strangelove did. Of the cast, Peter Cook’s performance is wonderful as a doltish prime minister.

When the small British dominion of Santa Maya in the Caribbean is invaded by a repressive right-wing junta from neighbouring Maguadora, the British Prime Minister Sir Mortimer Chris (Peter Cook)orders it to be seized back by force. With the American president having recently died, the task of seeking peace falls to incompetent former vice-president Barbara Adams (Loretta Swit), British Foreign Secretary Nigel Lipman and Maguadoran leader General Mosquera (Herbert Lom).

The British despatch a task force from Southampton,led by Rear-Admrial Bendish (Ian Richardson), who is unhappy to have royal Princess Wendy (Joanne Pearce) seconded to his ship. The British quickly regain Santa May and the Prime Minister uses his popularity to push forward with his next conflict;to defeat unemployment. Sir Mortimer believes high unemployment is the fault of pixies and urges millions to commit lemming-like suicide off the white cliffs of Dover. Both the British and US declare the PM insane, and each despatch a hitman to deal with him, but Sir Mortimer survives.

Meanwhile, the Soviet Union have crept ballistic missiles into the region and the Maguadoran’s, with the assistance of madcap assassin Lacrobat (Michael Richards), have kidnapped Princess Wendy. The British threaten a nuclear strike in retaliation.