Privilege (1967)

Director:

Peter Watkins

Writers:

Norman Bogner (written by)
Johnny Speight (story)
(more)

Release Date:

28 February 1967 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

[Privilege...] is probably the most extraordinary film you will ever see

Plot:

Steven Shorter is the ultimate British music star. His music is listened to by everyone from pre-teens to grandparents...

Plot Keywords:

God | British | Love | Artist | Onward Christian Soldiers

Cast

Paul Jones	...	Steven Shorter
Jean Shrimpton	...	Vanessa Ritchie
Mark London	...	Alvin Kirsch
William Job	...	Andrew Butler
Max Bacon	...	Julie Jordan
Jeremy Child	...	Martin Crossley
James Cossins	...	Professor Tatham
Frederick Danner	...	Marcus Hooper
Victor Henry	...	Freddie K
Arthur Pentelow	...	Leo Stanley
Steve Kirby	...	Squit
Malcolm Rogers	...	Rev. Jeremy Tate
Doreen Mantle	...	Miss Crawford
Michael Graham	...	Timothy Arbutt
Michael Barrington	...	The Bishop of Essex
Edwin Finn	...	The Bishop of Cornwall
John Gill	...	The Bishop of Surrey
Norman Pitt	...	The Bishop of Hersham
Alba	...	The Bishop of Rutland
The George Bean Group	...	The Runner Beans
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Martin Beere	...	Photographer (uncredited)
Gweneth Guthrie	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Peter Watkins

Writing credits
Norman Bogner		(written by)
Johnny Speight		(story)
Peter Watkins		(additional scenes and dialogue)

Produced by
Timothy Burrill	....	associate producer
John Heyman	....	producer
Peter Watkins	....	producer
Albert Finney	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Mike Leander

Cinematography by
Peter Suschitzky		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
John Trumper

Casting by
Miriam Brickman

Art Direction by
Bill Brodie

Costume Design by
Vanessa Clarke

Makeup Department
Jill Carpenter	....	makeup artist
Daphne Vollmer	....	hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Scott Wodehouse	....	assistant director
Antal Kovacs	....	third assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Iain Bruce	....	sound
Kevin Gurry	....	boom operator
Ken Scrivener	....	dubbing mixer
Roy Taylor	....	dubbing editor

Visual Effects by
Scott Dougherty	....	digital restoration producer: Cinesite (uncredited)
Jerry Pooler	....	digital restoration supervisor (uncredited)
Tiffany Smith	....	digital restoration coordinator: Cinesite (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Duffy	....	still photographer
Jimmy Turrell	....	camera operator
Patrick Ward	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Barbara Gillett	....	wardrobe supervisor

Other crew
Valerie Booth	....	continuity
Colin Corby	....	follow focus
David Griffith	....	location manager
Derek Ware	....	action sequences

Production Companies

• John Heyman/Peter Watkins Production
• World Film Services
• Memorial Enterprises

Distributors

• J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (1967) (UK) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (1967) (USA) (theatrical)
• New Yorker Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Project X Distribution (2008) (Canada) (DVD)
• Project X Distribution (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• United International Pictures (UIP)

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X

Filming Locations:

Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK

Company:

John Heyman/Peter Watkins Production

Trivia:

Eric Burdon claimed that he had been cast as Steve Shorter at the time.

Movie Connections:

References Triumph des Willens (1935)

Interesting, but flawed, obscurity

Fascinating, baffling, confused and prescient -- sometimes all within the same scene. A true artifact of the late 60's. Unfortunately, because it was released by Universal Studios (often referred to as "The Movie Studio that hates Movies"), PRIVILEGE has been near impossible to see for decades. Still, never released on home video (shocking). Fortunately, the American Cinemateque just showed the ONLY existing print in the world. It was pretty ratty, with a constant hiss on the soundtrack, but at least it was shown. The idea of a pop singer turning into a national icon that transcends his commercial status is even more relevant today than in '67. The one major flaw of the film is Paul Jones' performance as the Singer Steve. He's just too dull and boring to be believed as the greatest Rock Star of All Time. See it if you can. And write those letters to Universal Studios and hope this gets released on video, soon.