It would be nice to be able to say that Clement and Ian La Frenais, the writers, had done something fresh with their well-worn if still amusing material. But they haven't. The film obstinately remains a fattened-up episode.

They [introduce explicit references] in a mealy-mouthed fashion that salves their consciences without disrupting the easy comic tone or endangering the family audience 'A' certificate.

Genius TV show translates well for fun packed movie. Porridge is a spin off film from the successful TV series of the same name that aired on British BBC1 between 1974 and 1977. It's directed by Dick Clement who also co-writes with Ian La Frenais. It stars Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale, Fulton Mackay, Brian Wilde and Peter Vaughn. Lets face it, and lets be honest here, for many Brits who grew up with the TV show, Porridge is simply one of the greatest shows Britain has ever produced. Sharp and on the money in writing and characterisations, and boasting a cast that were always irresistible, it still manages to enthral millions today during continuous reruns on cable and satellite TV. In light of the regard and popularity the show had, it was perhaps inevitable that a film production was just a matter of time, because, well, all the great British comedies of the past had feature films made. But of course not all were particularly any good. So it's with much relief to find that the film version of Porridge is a very decent offering. The plot sees Fletcher (Barker) involved as the manager of the prison football team, to which, unbeknown to the wily old lag, is being used as a front for an escape attempt by Oakes (Barrie Rutter), and naturally the smarmy menace of Grouty (Vaughn) is pulling the strings. Fletcher & Godber (Beckinsale) then accidentally get caught up in the e…

Building on the huge success of the BBC Television series, this time we join the career petty criminal "Fletcher" (Ronnie Barker) and cellmate "Lenny" (Richard Beckinsale) in their Cumbrian wilderness prison where they regularly spar with chief warder "Mackay" (Fulton Mackay) and bamboozle the kindly "Barrowclough" (Brian Wilde). The van turns up one afternoon carrying two new arrivals. One is "Oakes" (Barrie Rutter) the other, well he's the new prison officer "Beal" (Christopher Godwin). The former is a bit of an heavy and it's soon clear that with the help of de facto prison governor "Grouty" (Peter Vaughan) he won't be staying long. To that end, "Fletch" is encouraged to organise a celebrity football match during which their latest inmate will do some body-swapping and make his escape. Of course, it nearly goes to plan but the unwitting "Lenny" manages to clash with a goalpost and next thing, they are both in the baggage hold of a bus heading to freedom. Abandoned by "Oakes" they conclude their best plan now is to break back in... There are some cracking one-liners and witty rhymes from the on-form Barker and he tussles engagingly with an equally on form Mackay who plays the pompous warden with considerable skill - both have super comedy timing. Beckinsale doesn't feature quite so much here, but is always good value as is Peter Vaughan as the cultured, opera-loving, version…