A film by Les Blair - a brilliant film, a deadly accurate portrayal of life in a London advertising agency during the early 80s. With Derrick O'Connor, Richard E Grant, Adrian Edmondson, Juliette Mole, and Gary Oldman. A made for TV film and the first film appearance for Richard E Grant.
The launch of Chaser Lager could be big for KFS if Alun shows some commitment; if Mike's lifestyle doesn't catch up with him; if the rest of the team concern themselves more with the product's image and less with their own - they might just have a winner on their hands.
Les Blair used his own experience to create this look at Britain's advertising industry. 'In the 1960s,' says Blair, 'I had a stint as a copywriter in a small-time Birmingham agency. Our slumbers were disturbed one day when an account executive wheeled in an aquamarine bicycle and asked us to come up with a name for the color. It struck me that we were all grown men, so I suggested 'blue' and sealed my fate as far as advertising was concerned. I had broken the prime rule-you may think it's silly business but don't say so."
Blair used his theatre and television background as a director of both scripted work and actors' improvisational workshops in developing characters and story ideas for the film. 'The advertising industry takes itself seriously enough without encouragement from me,' said Blair. 'More interesting was the fun to be had with a bunch of characters in a job that pays well and is better than working.'
Production Credits:
Director: Les Blair
Producer: Graham Benson
Screenplay: Les Blair
Camera: John McGlashan
From 1985.