The Supergrass (1985)
A gloriously chaotic British comedy from The Comic Strip, starring Adrian Edmondson as a hapless schemer whose one small lie triggers an avalanche of absurd consequences.
The Supergrass - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Supergrass
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Peter Richardson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 8, 1985 (United Kingdom), February 4, 1988 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: The Comic Strip Presents The Supergrass (UK), Supergrass - Unser Mann bei Scotland Yard (DE), Tipsaren (SE), Ruohoa (FI)
- Production Companies: 14 Old Bond Street Leasing, Comic Strip Production, Michael White Productions, Film4 Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Supergrass - Plot
While taking a holiday in the country with his mother, Dennis hits on a scheme to impress a girl so that she'll go away on a trip with him as his girlfriend. Although he fails to gain any interest from the girl, the police take a great interest in his story. From this point on, Dennis digs a deeper hole for himself at every turn.
The Supergrass - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos begin:
Dennis makes me wanna kill myself, but I'm scared I'll burn in hell if I do ~Harvey
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The Supergrass - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Peter Richardson
Main Cast
- Adrian Edmondson
- Jennifer Saunders
- Peter Richardson
- Robbie Coltrane
- Nigel Planer
- Keith Allen
- Dawn French
- Daniel Peacock
- Ronald Allen
- Alexei Sayle
Writers
- Pete Richens
- Peter Richardson
Producers
- Elaine Taylor
- Simon Wright
The Supergrass - FAQs
What is The Supergrass about?
The Supergrass follows Dennis, a hapless young man who spins a wild lie to impress a girl during a country holiday. When the police take his fabricated story seriously, his situation snowballs into a farcical undercover operation he never intended, with chaos escalating at every turn.
Is The Supergrass worth watching for comedy fans?
Absolutely, especially if you love early British alternative comedy. The film brings together an extraordinary ensemble from The Comic Strip — Edmondson, Saunders, French, Coltrane, and more — delivering anarchic, irreverent humour that captures the rebellious spirit of 1980s British comedy at its most gloriously unhinged.
Does Dennis actually go undercover in The Supergrass?
In a manner of speaking — though entirely against his will. Dennis invents a story to impress a girl, and the police latch onto it, effectively dragooning him into an undercover role he's spectacularly unqualified for. Every attempt to wriggle free only buries him deeper in the mess he's created.
Where can you watch The Supergrass?
Streaming availability for The Supergrass varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date options in your area, including any rental or purchase platforms where the film may currently be available.
Who are the main actors in The Supergrass?
The cast is a who's who of 1980s British alternative comedy. Adrian Edmondson leads as the hapless Dennis, with Jennifer Saunders, Peter Richardson, Robbie Coltrane, Nigel Planer, Keith Allen, Dawn French, and Alexei Sayle all rounding out this brilliantly chaotic ensemble.
Who directed The Supergrass and wrote the script?
Peter Richardson directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Pete Richens. Richardson also appears on screen as Harvey, Dennis's long-suffering friend. The pair had previously collaborated on numerous Comic Strip Presents episodes, bringing the same anarchic sensibility to this feature-length outing.
Is The Supergrass connected to The Comic Strip?
Yes, very much so. The Supergrass grew directly out of The Comic Strip Presents, the beloved Channel 4 series. It reunites the core troupe — Richardson, Edmondson, Saunders, French, Coltrane, and others — in a feature-length format, and is even known in the UK as The Comic Strip Presents The Supergrass.
What is the age rating for The Supergrass?
The Supergrass is rated R in the United States, reflecting its adult humour and irreverent content. It's firmly aimed at grown-up comedy fans rather than family audiences, in keeping with the sharp, subversive tone of the broader Comic Strip catalogue.
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