Privates on Parade (1983): cast, story & where to watch
1983 · Film · ★ 4.8
Released in 1983, Privates on Parade is a comedy, drama and war film directed by Michael Blakemore, running about 97 minutes.
What it’s about. It is 1947, the year of the communist rebellion in Malaya and the British army's SADUSEA (Song And Dance Unit South East Asia) are called to the Malayan Jungle to entertain the troops. The eccentric, bible-bashing Major Giles Flack (John Cleese) is in command of the unit. Flack is accompanied by an ageing, theatrical drama queen, Terri Dennis (Denis Quilley) who hopes to entertain the troops with his flamboyant impressions, but the bored troops find other ways to enjoy themselves.
Who’s in it. Privates on Parade stars John Cleese as Major Giles Flack, Denis Quilley as Acting Captain Terri Dennis, Michael Elphick as Sergeant Major Reg Drummond and Nicola Pagett as Acting Lieutenant Sylvia Morgan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.8/10, Privates on Parade has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Privates on Parade page.
If you liked it. Fans of Privates on Parade tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Privates on Parade (1983)?
- In US, Privates on Parade is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Privates on Parade worth watching?
- Privates on Parade holds an audience score of 4.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and war. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Privates on Parade?
- Privates on Parade stars John Cleese, Denis Quilley, Michael Elphick, Nicola Pagett and Patrick Pearson.
- When was Privates on Parade released?
- Privates on Parade was released in 1983, with a runtime of about 97 minutes.