Movie spotlight
The Fighting Cock
A sleeping car employee seeking a well-deserved rest is prevented from doing so by the crowing of his neighbor's rooster. Just as he's about to settle the score, he's presented with a gift: a rubber band around the annoying bird's beak temporarily puts an end to its vocalizations. But the animal can't be left alone, and Pierre has to take it with him on his nocturnal journeys: you can imagine the disturbance it can cause when, after being thrown out of a wagon window, it lands in the next van full of pheasants. The whole little world spills out onto the train, and the conductor is not at all pleased! Pierre manages to get a young passenger to assume ownership of the rooster, but not for long. Every time Pierre tries to get rid of it, it somehow comes back to him.
Insights
Plot Summary
A struggling village pub landlord tries various schemes to keep his establishment afloat. When a new brewery takes over and plans to close his pub, he resorts to increasingly desperate and outlandish measures to save it. This involves entering a greasy pole competition and an 'all-in wrestling' match.
Critical Reception
The Fighting Cock received a mixed to negative reception upon its release. While some appreciated its lighthearted comedic approach and performances from its seasoned cast, many critics found the humor dated and the plot predictable. Audiences at the time had a similarly divided response, with some enjoying the slapstick elements and others finding it a lackluster comedy.
What Reviewers Say
The film offers some predictable but generally lighthearted comedic moments.
Performances from the experienced cast, particularly Arthur Lowe, are a highlight.
The plot relies heavily on dated comedic tropes and lacks originality.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but general sentiment indicates it is viewed as a mildly amusing, old-fashioned British comedy that doesn't hold up exceptionally well for modern viewers.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the 1960 television play 'The Cafe' by Peter Graham, which also featured Arthur Lowe in a different role.
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