The television program *Porridge* works surprisingly well as a movie. *Porridge* is a film based on the popular British BBC1 TV series of the same name, which originally aired from 1974 to 1977. Dick Clement directs and co-writes the screenplay with Ian La Frenais. The cast includes Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde, and Peter Vaughn. Let’s be straightforward: for many British viewers who grew up watching the series, *Porridge* is simply one of the best shows Britain has ever created. It had writing and characters that were astute and insightful, plus a cast that was always endearing, and it still captivates audiences through repeated showings on cable and satellite television. Given how highly regarded and popular the show was, it seemed likely that a film version would eventually be made—as had happened with many other beloved British comedies in the past. However, not all of those films were very good. Thankfully, the movie *Porridge* turns out to be a solid adaptation. The story follows Fletcher (Barker) as he becomes manager of the prison football team, unaware that it’s being used by Oakes (Barrie Rutter) to facilitate an escape attempt, with Grouty (Vaughn) orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Fletcher and Godber (Beckinsale) then inadvertently become involved in the escape and have to sneak back into the prison before they're discovered! This premise is excellent and leads to a lot of funny comedy, performed skillfully by Barker, Mackay, and the rest of the cast. It’s true that moving the characters outside of the prison setting diminishes some of what made the TV series so distinctive, but the strength of the characters and the actors’ chemistry are enough to make the film stand on its own without damaging the show's reputation. It’s a pleasant way to spend ninety minutes, and it entertains viewers who haven’t seen the original television program. For those of us who are fans, it fits comfortably alongside the series as an extended look at comedic talent both behind and in front of the camera. 8/10 Rest easy, everyone; your influence will last forever.

Source on TMDB