This film is the story of the spectacular life and violent death of British playwright Joe Orton. In his teens, Orton is befriended by the older, more reserved Kenneth Halliwell, and while ...
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Title: Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Gary Oldman | ... | ||
| Alfred Molina | ... | ||
| Vanessa Redgrave | ... |
Peggy Ramsay
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| Wallace Shawn | ... |
John Lahr
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| Lindsay Duncan | ... |
Anthea Lahr
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| Julie Walters | ... |
Elsie Orton
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James Grant | ... |
William Orton
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| Frances Barber | ... |
Leonie Orton
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Janet Dale | ... |
Mrs Sugden
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Dave Atkins | ... |
Mr Sugden
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| Margaret Tyzack | ... |
Madame Lambert
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Eric Richard | ... |
Education Officer
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William Job | ... |
RADA Chairman
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Rosalind Knight | ... |
RADA Judge
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
This film is the story of the spectacular life and violent death of British playwright Joe Orton. In his teens, Orton is befriended by the older, more reserved Kenneth Halliwell, and while the two begin a relationship, it's fairly obvious that it's not all about sex. Orton loves the dangers of bath-houses and liaisons in public restrooms; Halliwell, not as charming or attractive as Orton, doesn't fare so well in those environs. While both long to become writers, it is Orton who achieves fame - his plays "Entertaining Mr. Sloane" and "Loot" become huge hits in London of the sixties, and he's even commissioned to write a screenplay for the Beatles. But Orton's success takes him farther from Halliwell, whose response ended both his life and the life of the up-and-coming playwright. Written by Gary Dickerson <[email protected]>
Taglines:
They shared everything - except success.Certificate:
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
8 May 1987 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Ciuliti-va urechile See more »Box Office
Gross:
$1,654,743 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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[hoisting trophy]
Joe Orton: and I'm going to go on.
See more »
Music by Stanley Myers
Lyrics by Richard Myhill
Arranged by Richard Myhill
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Wallace Shawn, who plays John Lahr, is (in addition to being an actor) an acclaimed playwright and screenwriter. Until her 1991 death, his play agent was Peggy Ramsay, who was also Joe Orton's agent and who appears in this film as the character played by Vanessa Redgrave. See more »Goofs
When Joe's agent first meets him in 1964, she asks him how he's been supporting himself. He tells her he's on public assistance, getting £3.10 per week. But new pence weren't introduced until 1971. See more »Quotes
Joe Orton: [accepting a drama award] My plays are about getting away with it, and the ones who get away with it are the guilty ones. It's the innocents who get it in the neck. But that all seems pretty true to life to me. Not a fantasy at all. I've got away with it *so far*[hoisting trophy]
Joe Orton: and I'm going to go on.
See more »
Soundtracks
Dancing HeartsMusic by Stanley Myers
Lyrics by Richard Myhill
Arranged by Richard Myhill
See more »
One of Gary Oldman's first films and need I say, one of the best? Based on the biography by John Lahr, this film tells the true story of British playwright Joe Orton and his "friend" Kenneth Halliwell.
This film is sad because we all know the outcome of Joe and Kenneth right from the beginning. Interesting storyline, fantastic acting all round especially from Gary Oldman (Joe) and Alfred Molina (Kenneth) who both absorb into the characters with incredible style.
This film is a classic, especially if youre a Gary Oldman. This is another piece of evidence that Gary can not just act in a role, he can go into it.
5/5