Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
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- R
- 1h 45min
- Biography, Drama
- 08 May 1987 (USA)
- Movie
Biographer John Lahr is writing a book about playwright Joe Orton. Joe and Kenneth meet at drama school and live together for ten years as lovers and collaborators. Both want to be writers, but only one of them is successful.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Gary Oldman | ... |
Joe Orton
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| Alfred Molina | ... |
Kenneth Halliwell
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| 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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| Angus MacKay | ... |
RADA Judge
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Linda Spurrier | ... |
RADA Instructor
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Charlotte Wodehouse | ... |
Janet
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Helena Michell | ... |
Orton's Friend
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| Sean Pertwee | ... |
Orton's Friend
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Liam De Staic | ... |
Brickie
(as Liam de Staic)
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| Charles McKeown | ... |
Mr Cunliffe
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| Selina Cadell | ... |
Miss Battersby
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Bert Parnaby | ... |
Magistrate
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| Antony Carrick | ... |
Counsel
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| Neil Dudgeon | ... |
Policeman
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| Richard Wilson | ... |
Psychiatrist
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Christopher Guinee | ... |
Publisher
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Stevan Rimkus | ... |
Kenneth
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| Michael Müller | ... |
BBC Actor 1
(as Michael Mueller)
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Anthony Douse | ... |
BBC Actor 2
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| John Kane | ... |
Director
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| Steven Mackintosh | ... |
Simon Ward
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| Garry Cooper | ... |
Actor 1 - Mr Sloane
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| Roger Lloyd Pack | ... |
Actor 2
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Joanne Connelly | ... |
Stage Manager
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| John Moffatt | ... |
Wigmaker
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Philippa Davies | ... |
Peggy Ramsay's Secretary
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David Cardy | ... |
Brian Epstein
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Julie Legrand | ... |
Gallery Owner
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Noel Davis | ... |
Philip
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Jane Blackburn | ... |
Woman in Gallery 1
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Stella Richman | ... |
Woman in Gallery 2
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| Neville Phillips | ... |
Man in Gallery
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| Jonny Phillips | ... |
Youth Outside Lavatory
(as Jonathan Phillips)
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Richard Ireson | ... |
Man Outside Lavatory
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Ahmed Elgheur | ... |
Moroccan Boy 1
(as Ahmed El Jheur)
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Moktar Dagmouni | ... |
Moroccan Boy 2
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| Sian Thomas | ... |
Marilyn Orton
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Stephen Bill | ... |
George Barnett
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| Karl Johnson | ... |
Douglas Orton
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| David Bradley | ... |
Undertaker
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Simon Adams | ... |
Undertaker's Boy
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| James Duggan | ... |
Labourer
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Max Stafford-Clark | ... |
Awards Chairman
(as Max Stafford Clark)
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Mark Brignal | ... |
Beatles Chauffeur
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| Joan Sanderson | ... |
Anthea's Mother
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Neville Smith | ... |
Police Inspector
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Spencer Leigh | ... |
Constable
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| John Salthouse | ... |
Chauffeur
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| Robin Hooper | ... |
Mortuary Attendant
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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John Bailey | ... |
Wigmaker (uncredited)
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| Derek Jarman | ... |
Patrick Procktor (uncredited)
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| Derek Lyons | ... |
Library Patron (uncredited)
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| Queen Elizabeth II | ... |
Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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Directed by
| Stephen Frears | ||
Written by
| John Lahr | ... | (based on the biography by) |
| Alan Bennett | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Andrew Brown | ... | producer |
Music by
| Stanley Myers | ||
Cinematography by
| Oliver Stapleton | ||
Editing by
| Mick Audsley | ||
Editorial Department
| Martyn Robinson | ... | second assistant editor |
| Annabel Ware | ... | first assistant editor |
Casting By
| Debbie McWilliams | ||
Production Design by
| Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski | ... | (as Hugo Luczyc Wyhowski) |
Art Direction by
| Philip Elton | ||
Costume Design by
| Bob Ringwood | ||
Makeup Department
| Elaine Carew | ... | makeup supervisor |
| Sally Harrison | ... | hair stylist |
| Peter Owen | ... | wig consultant |
Production Management
| Zakaria Alaoui | ... | production manager: Morocco |
| Ann Wingate | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Lee Cleary | ... | second assistant director |
| Ahmed Hatimi | ... | assistant director: Morocco |
| Adam Walton | ... | third assistant director |
| Michael Zimbrich | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Eric Armstrong | ... | stand-by stagehand |
| Gari Bacon | ... | stand-by props |
| Ray Barrett | ... | construction manager |
| Bill Bernie | ... | stand-by painter |
| Michael Campbell | ... | painter |
| Nobby Clark | ... | stand-by rigger |
| Jack Dyer | ... | stagehand (as John Dyer) |
| Pat Griffin | ... | carpenter |
| Jayne Hatfield | ... | trainee property buyer |
| Peter Hedges | ... | dressing props |
| Steve Hedinger | ... | decor and lettering artist |
| Les Jiggins | ... | painter |
| David Ned Kelly | ... | stand-by carpenter (as Ned Kelly) |
| Matt Langley | ... | carpenter (as Matthew Langley) |
| Dougie Lankston | ... | props |
| Tony Mansey | ... | chargehand carpenter |
| Milou | ... | props: Morocco |
| Ray Perry Sr. | ... | property master (as Ray Perry) |
| Raymond Perry | ... | location property master (as Ray Perry Jnr) |
| Julie Sheppard | ... | assistant art director |
| John Spottiswood | ... | scenic artist (as John Kirby Spottiswood) |
| Bob Starrett | ... | collages |
| Jeanne Vertigan | ... | property buyer |
| Jack Dyer | ... | chargehand stagehand (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Simon Hayter | ... | boom operator |
| Anthony Jackson | ... | sound recordist (as Tony Jackson) |
| Judi Lee-Headman | ... | boom operator (as Judi Headman) |
| Peter Maxwell | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Katrina Sheldon | ... | dialogue editor |
| Rosie Straker | ... | boom operator |
| Sarah Thomas | ... | assistant dubbing editor |
| Brian Trenerry | ... | sound editor |
| Andrew Young | ... | projectionist: sound post-production |
| Steve Hancock | ... | sound camera operator (uncredited) |
| Noel Wallace | ... | dubbing projectionist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Alexander Gunn | ... | special effects technician |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Malcolm Davies | ... | gaffer |
| Martin Duncan | ... | generator operator |
| Jonathan Earp | ... | assistant camera |
| John Etherington | ... | grip |
| Britt Harrison | ... | assistant camera |
| David Morgan | ... | focus puller |
| Sarah Quill | ... | still photographer |
| Dominic Seal | ... | electrician |
| Jack White | ... | electrician |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Enrico Coveri | ... | contemporary costumes: Vanessa Redgrave |
| Janet Tebrooke | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Patrick Wheatley | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
Location Management
| Rachel Neale | ... | location manager |
| Chris Wheeldon | ... | location assistant |
Music Department
| John Harle's Berliner Band | ... | music performed by |
| Mark Berrow | ... | musician: violin |
| Chris Dibble | ... | music engineer |
| John Harle | ... | musical director / orchestrator |
| Stanley Myers | ... | composer: theme music |
| Graham Walker | ... | music production supervisor |
| Hans Zimmer | ... | musician: synthesizers |
Script and Continuity Department
| Penny Eyles | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Joe Drinkeld | ... | transportation |
Additional Crew
| Joanna Campling | ... | unit publicist |
| Gerald Fitzsimon | ... | assistant accountant (as Gerard Fitzsimon) |
| Lorraine Goodman | ... | production coordinator |
| Vivienne Hammer | ... | accountant secretary |
| Deborah Harding | ... | production secretary |
| Tony Miller | ... | production accountant |
| Simon Moseley | ... | floor runner |
| Barney Reisz | ... | production runner |
| Julian Rothenstein | ... | titles |
| Toby Sherborne | ... | production runner |
| Phillip Small | ... | caterer |
| Joan Washington | ... | dialogue coach |
| Andrew Young | ... | projectionist |
| Hans Zimmer | ... | synthesizer |
| Chester Dent | ... | directing attachment (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Zakaria Alaoui | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| John Doran | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Robin Hopper | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Derek Jarman | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Anthea Lar | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Oliver Neville | ... | the producers wish to thank (as Dr. Oliver Nesville) |
| Denise O'Dell | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Patrick Procktor | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Margaret Ramsay | ... | the producers wish to thank (as Peggy Ramsay) |
| Patrick Thursfield | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Brian Wenham | ... | the producers wish to thank |
Production Companies
- Zenith Entertainment
- Civilhand
- British Screen Productions (in association with)
- Film Four International (in association with)
Distributors
- Curzon Film Distributors (1987) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- CEL Film Distribution (1987) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Cineplex Odeon Films (1987) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Pandora Filmproduktion (1987) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- The Samuel Goldwyn Company (1987) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cineplex-Odeon Home Video (1988) (Canada) (VHS) (distributed exclusively in Canada by)
- MCA Home Video (1988) (Canada) (VHS) (distributed exclusively in Canada by)
- Virgin Vision (1988) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan for Samuel Goldwyn Home Entertainment)
- PVB Editions (France) (DVD)
- Virgin Video (1989) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Carlton Video (1999) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2002) (Australia) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Aquarius TV (2005) (Greece) (DVD)
- Park Circus (2007) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Plus Video (2010) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2011) (Australia) (video) (VOD)
- Reel One Entertainment S.L. (2017) (Spain) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Vestron Pictures (1988) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Vision Per Fredlund A/S (1988) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Media Transfer International (1989) (Sweden) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- 20th Century Costumes London (costume supplier)
- Eastman Kodak Company (film stock)
- Film Lighting Services (lighting equipment)
- George Jenson (jewellery)
- Grips Grips Grips (camera car)
- Lansdowne Studios (Music recording)
- Lillie Yard Studios (Music recording)
- Optical Film Effects (matte and optical effects)
- Rank Film Laboratories (film lab)
- Samuelson Film Service (camera equipment)
- Sapex Scripts (post-production script services)
- Set Meals (catering)
- Warner Bros. De Lane Lea (sound re-recording)
- Zakiya and Associates (publicity)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
This movie is the story of the spectacular life and violent death of British playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman). In his teens, Orton is befriended by the older, more reserved Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina), 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 environments. 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 |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | They shared everything - except success. See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | As well as being an actor, Wallace Shawn (John Lahr) is an acclaimed playwright and screenwriter. Until her 1991 death, his theatrical agent was Margaret Ramsay, who was also Joe Orton's agent and appeared in this movie as the character played by Dame 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. New pence weren't introduced until 1971. However, in the pre-decimal era, "Three pounds ten" would have been understood as "Three pounds and ten shillings", the present-day equivalent being £3.50. For example, "Maggie Mae", recorded by the Beatles in 1969 but based on a much older traditional song, includes the line "Two pounds ten a week, that was my pay." See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Making Mr. Right/Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn/Secret of My Success/Prick Up Your Ears (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Dancing Hearts See more » |
| Quotes |
[Halliwell puts his hand on Orton's leg. Orton brushes it off]
Joe Orton: No. Have a wank. Kenneth Halliwell: Have a wank? Have a wank? I can't just have a wank. I need three days' notice to have a wank. You can just stand there and do it. Me, it's like organizing D-Day. Forces have to be assembled, magazines bought, the past dredged for some suitably unsavoury episode, the dog-eared thought of which can still produce a faint flicker of desire! Have a wank, it'd be easier to raise the Titanic. See more » |