The Stag
Ensemble comedies are a mainstay of classic cinema- from crime capers to family drama-comedies, the sub-genre is a tricky one to get right- but nothing lights up the screen quite like a cast that just click.
With The Stag released on digital platforms from the 7th July and on Blu-ray and DVD from the 21st July courtesy of Arrow Films, we recount the most memorable ensemble comedies to date...
- The Stag (2013)
This laugh-out-loud comedy, directed by John Butler, features Andrew Scott, Hugh O’Conor, Brian Gleeson and Peter Macdonald as members of a stag party gone rogue in the Irish countryside.
Displaying far more depth and heart than the average ‘bachelor weekend’ film and featuring a hugely charming and likeable cast, the film provides a sharp, astute and hilarious take on modern male bonding.
The Stag is an engaging comedy from the very start and is packed with great characters, performances, as well as being very funny.
This is a movie that does have a real charm & warmth to it - perhaps it does deliver a little more than you are expecting.
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Monty Python comedy crew, consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, were directed by Terry’s Gilliam and Jones in this first of three feature-length films (followed by Life of Brian in 1979 and 1983’s The Meaning of Life).
A regular placement in many polls compiling the greatest films of all time, let alone comedies, the films is comprised of wholly new material in which King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail is parodied.
The Holy Grail was a movie that was comprised of completely new material when it was released, and was a huge hit in 1975.
The film was met with critical acclaim, and is still widely regarded as one of the best comedies of all time.
- A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
This heist-comedy film was co-written by John Cleese, who also took lead acting duties alongside Michael Palin, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Kline.
The film follows London-based gangsters who haplessly plot a jewel heist, despite being a bunch of double-crossers.
Naturally, where hilarious chaos ensued, this comedy wormed its way into hearts of audiences worldwide.
A Fish Called Wanda is a movie that was smartly written and really is British black comedy at its very best.
Kline would go on to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as Otto, while Cleese & Palin both picked up Baftas for their work.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Introducing the cinematic universe to Spaced’s powerful three Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright, this lovingly-crafted comedic homage to George A. Romero’s Living Dead trilogy is just as loved as those films they grew up watching with Romero himself vocal of his love for Shaun of the Dead.
The movie follows Shaun, who decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.
Written by Pegg and Wright, - this remains their best movie script together - Shaun of the Dead strikes the perfect balance between comedy and scares: mixing these two genres so well really is no mean feat.
This is a British movies that has a real swagger to it, and it won over audiences in the UK and in the U.S.
Shaun of the Dead has celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and is widely regarded as one of the best British films of all time.
- The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Wes Anderson assembled a cast of megawatt star power for arguably his best feature to date, focusing on the various calamities falling upon the brilliant, bizarre Tenenbaum family.
Following dire news about his health, Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) decides to reunite his estranged family under one roof- including his ex-wife Etheline (Anjelica Houston) and children Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), Chas (Ben Stiller) and Richie (Luke Wilson)... the result is typical of Anderson- utterly brilliant, whimsical, touching and hilarious.
The Royal Tenenbaums was the third feature film from director Anderson, and he teamed up with Owen Wilson to pen the screenplay.
The Royal Tenenbaums is packed with terrific characters and some fantastic dialogue - it is no wonder the screenplay was nominated for an Oscar.
This was an original and quirky film that was unlike anything else that hit the big screen that year.
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Featuring Will Ferrell’s finest creation- Ron Burgundy- this ludicrous tale of a San Diego top rated newsman struggling to stay ahead of the ambitious new female anchor (Christian Applegate) is a masterclass in comedy from start to finish.
Featuring stellar performances from supporting cast members, including Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd, the film set a new standard in comedy, and remains endlessly quotable.
Anchorman celebrates its 10th anniversary in September - it really did hit the big screen back in 2004 - but it remains one of the most quotable films.
After a nine year wait, Ron Burgundy and co returned to the big screen in Anchorman: The Legend Continues - which also went on to enjoy success.
- The Hangover (2009)
The two films that followed it may have dipped in quality, but the first Hangover film was a stellar naughty comedy, which saw a group of males (led by Bradley Cooper, alongside Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis) head to Las Vegas to celebrate their best friend’s wedding.
Having a night to remember, they awake the next morning to have forgotten almost everything, including why one is missing, why one has lost a tooth, and why there is a Tiger in their bathroom...
The Hangover was one of the sleeper hits of 2009, and kicked off the career of Bradley Cooper: who is now one of the most in demand actors in Hollywood and double Oscar nominee.
The Hangover remains one of the best comedy movies in recent years and has gone on to become one of the most successful comedy franchises of all time. However, the first film remains head and shoulders above the rest... no matter how many times you watch this film it is laugh out loud funny.
- Bridesmaids (2011)
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote this box-office smash comedy about a down-an-out pastry chef whose life begins to rapidly unravel after her best friend becomes engaged, and she finds herself embroiled in a rivalry with a fellow bridesmaid.
The film eschewed the widely-held belief of major studios that ‘films about women won’t sell’, and went on to break box-office records.
The cast all provided standout comedic performances, but Melissa McCarthy arguably stole the show, as the unhinged but fundamentally lovable Megan.
Bridesmaids when on to gross in excess of $288 million at the global box office, showing that female driven films could not only find an audience, but be hugely successful.
- The Inbetweeners Movie (2011)
Take a small-time E4 comedy series set in a fictional town in England, move the cast Crete... and apparently, you get a recipe for blockbusting success.
Writers Damon Beesley and Iain Morris are perfectly attuned to the pitfalls of adolescence, and the Inbetweeners themselves: Will (Simon Bird), Simon (Joe Thomas), Jay (James Buckley) and Neil (Blake Harrison) are clearly in their element.
After completing their final year at school together, the four head on a party holiday where misadventures follow - as well as laughs...
When released, the film went on to become the most successful opening weekend by a comedy film the UK: outperforming the likes of The Hangover Part II and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.
It would stay at the top of the UK box office for four weeks, as fans of the TV show flocked to see these popular characters on the big screen. The sequel is set for release later this year.
- Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola were nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar for this charming, suitably offbeat tale of two youngsters who flee their New England town, causing a local search party to fan out to find them.
Typically of an Anderson film, the cast is a who’s who of Hollywood talent, including Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Bill Murray, while the New England setting proves utterly apt for this funny, romantic (and admittedly, slightly warped) love story.
This is the second Wes Anderson film to make the top ten, as he continues to be one of the most off beat and unique filmmakers currently working in Hollywood.
This is a warm, poignant, and funny film, which sees Anderson back on top form. This remains one of the best movies of his directing career.
The Stag is released on digital platforms from the 7th July and on Blu-ray and DVD from the 21st July courtesy of Arrow Films
Tagged in The Hangover