It Couldn't Happen Here (1988): cast, story & where to watch
1988 · Film · ★ 6.1
Released in 1988, It Couldn't Happen Here is a drama, adventure and music film directed by Jack Bond, running about 86 minutes.
What it’s about. Pet Shop Boys Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant embark upon a journey across England - but which England? Is it the half-remembered England of their childhoods, or the brutal reality of Mrs Thatcher's late-eighties England? Along the way they come across many familiar (and sinister) faces. The movie also features some of the Pet Shop Boys' most popular records.
Who’s in it. It Couldn't Happen Here stars Barbara Windsor as Seaside landlady / Neil's mother, Joss Ackland as Priest / murderer, Neil Dickson as Pilot / car salesman and Neil Tennant as himself, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.1/10, It Couldn't Happen Here has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch It Couldn't Happen Here page.
If you liked it. Fans of It Couldn't Happen Here tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch It Couldn't Happen Here (1988)?
- In US, It Couldn't Happen Here is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is It Couldn't Happen Here worth watching?
- It Couldn't Happen Here holds an audience score of 6.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, adventure and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in It Couldn't Happen Here?
- It Couldn't Happen Here stars Barbara Windsor, Joss Ackland, Neil Dickson, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.
- When was It Couldn't Happen Here released?
- It Couldn't Happen Here was released in 1988, with a runtime of about 86 minutes.