Watch Very Important Person
- 1961
- 1 hr 38 min
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6.7 (611)
Very Important Person is a 1961 British comedy film directed by Ken Annakin that stars James Robertson Justice, Leslie Phillips, and Stanley Baxter. The film follows the story of a high-ranking RAF officer, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake (James Robertson Justice), who becomes a prisoner of war in a German camp during World War II. While in the camp, Mandrake is visited by a group of prominent British entertainers who are performing for the German soldiers. Among them are a musical trio called The Sherman Brothers (Leslie Phillips, Stanley Baxter, and Delphi Lawrence). The trio quickly befriends Mandrake and are impressed by his commanding presence and British stiff upper lip.
Mandrake discovers that the Germans are planning a propaganda coup by announcing that they have captured a VIP, who turns out to be none other than Winston Churchill himself. Mandrake knows the Germans are lying and decides to take matters into his own hands. He enlists the help of The Sherman Brothers and they hatch a plan to escape the camp and expose the Germans' propaganda scheme.
The group manages to escape the camp and make their way across enemy lines, encountering a series of humorous obstacles along the way. Eventually, they make it to Allied lines and are able to share their intelligence with high-ranking officials who are impressed by their bravery and quick thinking.
The film is a delightful romp through the comedic pitfalls of war and the indomitable spirit of the British people. The performances of James Robertson Justice, Leslie Phillips, and Stanley Baxter are top-notch, with each actor bringing their own unique brand of humor to the film.
The film also features an impressive supporting cast, including Eric Sykes as a hapless British private, John Le Mesurier as a high-ranking British general, and Ursula Howells as a glamorous American reporter.
One of the standout features of the film is its use of music. The Sherman Brothers provide a number of catchy and amusing musical numbers throughout the film, including the memorable "The Happy Wanderer".
Overall, Very Important Person is a charming and entertaining film that showcases the best of British humor and spirit. It is a must-see for fans of classic British comedy and war films alike.