Stars: David Jason, Ian Richardson, Charles Gray, John Sessions, Griff Rhys Jones

Director: Robert Knights

Summary: Porterhouse is the home of head porter Skullion, in a fictional Cambridge college. When Sir Godber Evans decides to make changes at the college he conveniently forgets six hundred years of tradition.

In this Channel 4 comedy, based on the novel by Tom Sharpe, Porterhouse College prides itself on rowing and eating rather than academic achievement. When the arrival of a new master threatens tradition, the old guard of Porterhouse reacts in an explosive fashion. The TV miniseries stars David Jason, Ian Richardson, Charles Gray, and John Sessions.

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Based on Tom Sharpe's satirical novel and set in a fictional, all-male Cambridge College, 1987's Porterhouse Blueis a crusty delight. Ian Richardson stars as the austere moderniser who takes over as master of Porterhouse with a view to bringing in radical changes; David Jason is Skullion, head porter for 45 years and a bulldog-style traditionalist.

Porterhouse Blueis a wonderfully grotesque and not inaccurate depiction of an Oxbridge college that has set itself resolutely and decadently against the modern world. Crammed with hoggish, port-swilling dons who are more concerned that the college stay "head of the river" than with academic achievement, the highlight of Porterhouse's year is the Founder's Feast, in which students and tutors gorge debauchedly on roast swan stuffed with widgeon, to the horror of the new vegetarian master.

Jason's Skullion looks on approvingly: he's a stickler for Porterhouse's inverted values, disapproving, for instance, of student Zipser (John Sessions), the only fellow at the college actually there to work. When the master eventually fires Skullion, the forces of traditionalism gather in sympathy and attempt their revenge.

Unfolding over 190 leisurely minutes, Porterhouse Blueis an elegantly turned comedy in which practically every morsel of dialogue is to be savoured for its delicious tang. Jason and Richardson are reliably excellent in what is an overall exhibition of British TV thespianism at its finest. --David Stubbs

Aspect Ratio:	4:3 Full Frame
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Year:	1987
Release Date:	July 15, 2002
Runtime:	194 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C C D 9058
Label:	Channel 4
Keywords:	Blue, Comedy, General, Porterhouse, Tv
Genre:	Comedy