Privilege

Cast

Paul Jones
as Steve Shorter

Jean Shrimpton
as Vanessa Ritchie

Mark London
as Alvin Kirsch

William Job
as Andrew Butler

Max Bacon
as Julie Jordan

Jeremy Child
as Martin Crossley

James Cossins
as Prof. Tatham

Frederick Danner
as Marcus Hooper

Victor Henry
as Freddie K.

Arthur Pentelow
as Leo Stanley

Michael Barrington
as Bishop of Essex

Edwin Finn
as Bishop of Cornwall

John Gill
as Bishop of Surrey

Norman Pitt
as Bishop of Hersham

Alba
as Bishop of Rutland

Steve Kirby
as Squit

Doreen Mantle
as Miss Crawford

Michael Graham Cox
as Timothy Arbutt

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Critic Reviews for Privilege

Audience Reviews for Privilege

• Mar 20, 2012

  Made in 1967, "Privilege" at first seems to be little more than just a reaction against Beatlemania as it starts with a ticker tape parade for rock star Steven Shorter(Paul Jones) in his home town of Birmingham, England.(If Jones' performance appears to be affectless, it might be on purpose, as the general idea here is to make Shorter look like he is undeserving of all the attention.) That is before a conceptual on-stage performance that puts his mainly female audience in hysterics, with a few looking like they are on the verge of an orgasm. But even at this early stage in his career, director Peter Watkins has bigger fish to fry than just celebrity with this thought-provoking, intelligent and powerful movie that is also the most creatively filmed of his docufictions. Set in the near future, this could also be our present, as the film is prescient about many things including music videos(recalling Shorter's performance on stage), the abomination of reality television(you will never be able to watch a promo for 'American Idol' the same way ever again) and Tony Blair's New Labour. In this world of almost one political party, there is conformity across the board, beginning from the top, and eventually laterally applied at the lower levels of society. The powers that be have co-opted and commodified Shorter, and through him, rebellion, so much that Vanessa(Jean Shrimpton), who has been hired to paint his portrait, is the only person not in awe of him. And whereas Ken Russell saw the rock star as god, Watkins sees religion as just another business to corrupt the rock star.
  Walter M Super Reviewer
• Jul 15, 2010

  I'm guessing this is probably one of the earliest examples of a "mocumentary", which is impressive. What is also impressive is how eerily prophetic it is, to spite it's (sometimes) painfully dated moments. A telling look at the making, selling and ultimate distruction of a pop star. It is both campy and tragic. With some very interesting (and over the top) themes and visuals. It is no doubt used as a training film for the "talent" teams at Disney, who seem to think that every child actor needs to have a recording career and every child singer an acting career. And above all else - sell, sell, sell. There is no room for individual creativity, expression, integrity or (heaven forbid) dignity...use them until they are are no longer sellable and them kick them to the curb.
  Robert C Super Reviewer

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