A Fish Called Wanda

Director: Charles Crichton

Overview

A very funny film from Monty Python regulars John Cleese and Michael Palin, A Fish Called Wanda in its current DVD format is a bare-bones release with very few extras. The disc is two-sided, with a decent widescreen transfer on one side and a standard full-screen transfer on the other. As most comedies are 1:85 format, however, the black bars on top and bottom are minimal, resulting in no noticeable difference between the two sides. Even the Dolby Digital Audio is Mono. The most exciting extra on this disc is the "Wanda" screensaver that turns the television screen into a fish tank for a few minutes. Viewers can watch the computer-animated fish float around, blowing bubbles and looping the same path. Finally the disc comes with an eight-page color booklet featuring production notes, which is simplistic at best. Even the single theatrical trailer is nothing more than standard on this disc. Overall, this disc feels like a rental for first-time viewers of the film, not a true collector's prize. Language and subtitles are in English and French.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/1999
UPC:	0027616626622
Original Release:	1988
Rating:	R
Source:	Mgm (Video & Dvd)
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital, monaural]
Time:	1:48:00
Sales rank:	9,585

Special Features

8-page booklet featuring trivia, production notes, and the making of the film; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Cleese	Archie Leach
Jamie Lee Curtis	Wanda Gerschwitz
Kevin Kline	Otto West
Michael Palin	Ken
Tom Georgeson	George
Maria Aitken	Wendy Leach
Patricia Hayes	Mrs. Coady
Ken Campbell	Bartlett
Cynthia Caylor	Portia
Jeremy Child	Mr. Johnson
Patrick Newman	Defense Counsel
Geoffrey Palmer	Judge
Mark Elwes	Shop Customer
Neville Phillips	Shop Manager
Peter Jonfield	Inspector Marvin
Al Ashton	Warder
Roger Hume	Locksmith
Roger Brierley	Davidson
Llewellyn Rees	Sir Jake
Michael Percival	Percival
Kate Lansbury	Magistrate
Robert Cavendish	Copper
Andrew Maclachlan	Eebedee
Roland MacLeod	Vicar
Pamela Miles	Mrs. Johnson
Tom Piggot-Smith	Johnson Child, 13
Katherine John	Johnson Child, 10
Sophie Johnstone	Johnson Child
Kim Barclay	Nanny
Sharon Twomey	Defense Counsel
David Simeon	Court Clerk
Imogen Bickford-Smith	Stenographer
Tia Lee	Junior Barrister, Prosecution Counsel
Robert Putt	Police Officer
Waydon Croft	Prison Officer
John Dixon	Prison Officer
Anthony Pedley	Irate Driver
Robert McBain	Hotel Clerk
Clare McIntyre	Airline Employee
Charu Bala Chokshi	Indian Cleaner
Stephen Fry	Hutchison

Technical Credits

Charles Crichton	Director,Original Story,Screenwriter
Steve Abbott	Executive Producer
Jonathan Benson	Asst. Director
John Cleese	Original Story,Screenwriter
John Comfort	Associate Producer
John Du Prez	Score Composer
Paul Engelen	Makeup
George Gibbs	Special Effects
Romo Gorrara	Stunts
Alan Hume	Cinematographer
Gerry Humphreys	Sound/Sound Designer
Priscilla John	Casting
John Jympson	Editor
Stephenie McMillan	Set Decoration/Design
Roger Murray-Leach	Production Designer
Hazel Pethig	Costumes/Costume Designer
Lee Rich	Producer
Michael Shamberg	Producer
John Wood	Art Director

Scene Index

Side #1 -- Widescreen
0. Scene Selections
1. Logo/Opening Credits [:08]
2. Wanda's "Brother" [2:28]
3. The Heist/A Witness [4:45]
4. Double Double-Cross [4:27]
5. "Oh, George!" [4:10]
6. "Archie Leash...Leach!" [2:44]
7. Otto Erotica/The Key [2:44]
8. Interrogating Ken [3:43]
9. Flirting With Archie [3:31]
10. Pre-Bed Rituals [6:08]
11. Pre-Trial Manipulation [5:50]
12. Dog's Bite/Otto's Bark [2:47]
13. Wanda's Date [7:16]
14. Harvey Manfrentenson [1:58]
15. Doggie Death #1 [1:19]
16. Private Getaway #1 [2:28]
17. Otto Interrupts [3:51]
18. Doggie Death #2 [2:22]
19. Insult To Stupid People [1:17]
20. Otto's Apology #1 [2:35]
21. Private Getaway #2 [4:04]
22. Meeting The Johnsons [3:12]
23. Otto's Apology #2 [1:24]
24. Doggie Death #3 [2:45]
25. A Meal Called Wanda [3:13]
26. Tough Day In Court [5:20]
27. Archie & Wanda Level [5:00]
28. "The Ca...The Ca..." [2:21]
29. Heathrow [3:12]
30. Limey Revenge [2:55]
31. Russian & Romance [3:24]
32. End Credits [1:24]
Side #2 -- Full Screen
0. Scene Selections
1. Logo/Opening Credits [:08]
2. Wanda's "Brother" [2:28]
3. The Heist/A Witness [4:45]
4. Double Double-Cross [4:27]
5. "Oh, George!" [4:10]
6. "Archie Leash...Leach!" [2:44]
7. Otto Erotica/The Key [2:44]
8. Interrogating Ken [3:43]
9. Flirting With Archie [3:31]
10. Pre-Bed Rituals [6:08]
11. Pre-Trial Manipulation [5:50]
12. Dog's Bite/Otto's Bark [2:47]
13. Wanda's Date [7:16]
14. Harvey Manfrentenson [1:58]
15. Doggie Death #1 [1:19]
16. Private Getaway #1 [2:28]
17. Otto Interrupts [3:51]
18. Doggie Death #2 [2:22]
19. Insult To Stupid People [1:17]
20. Otto's Apology #1 [2:35]
21. Private Getaway #2 [4:04]
22. Meeting The Johnsons [3:12]
23. Otto's Apology #2 [1:24]
24. Doggie Death #3 [2:45]
25. A Meal Called Wanda [3:13]
26. Tough Day In Court [5:20]
27. Archie & Wanda Level [5:00]
28. "The Ca...The Ca..." [2:21]
29. Heathrow [3:12]
30. Limey Revenge [2:55]
31. Russian & Romance [3:24]
32. End Credits [1:24]

Menu

Side #1 -- Widescreen
   Play
   Theatrical Trailer
   Languages
   (Treasure Chest)
Side #2 -- Full Screen
   Play
   Theatrical Trailer
   Languages
   (Treasure Chest)

Editorial Reviews

One of the best black comedies of the 1980s, A Fish Called Wanda revels in poking fun at stereotypes: neither British nor Americans are ever completely off the hook. Representing the Yanks, Jamie Lee Curtis finally received a role worthy of her ample comic sensibilities, and Kevin Kline's antagonistic wackiness secured him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. For the Brits, scene-stealer Michael Palin and lead/co-scripter John Cleese display a wit and spontaneity not seen since their Monty Python years. Co-writer/director Charles Crichton had previously proven his skills with the classic 1951 crime farce The Lavender Hill Mob, and Wanda is every bit the classic that film was. Lampooning as many sacred cows as it does, Wanda is bound to put off some viewers; but it's hard to take too much offense at a film where all the characters eventually get theirs.

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