Letter to Brezhnev **** (1985, Margi Clarke, Alexandra Pigg, Peter Firth, Alfred Molina) – Classic Movie Review 5246

Director Chris Bernard’s 1985 British comedy drama has a fine star team in Margi Clarke, Alexandra Pigg, Peter Firth and Alfred Molina and was a much-deserved big hit in its home UK.

It tells a warm-hearted love story, in which Scousers Teresa and Elaine (Clarke and Pigg) have a night out with Soviet sailors Peter and Sergei (Firth and Molina) when the Russian fleet’s in at Liverpool docks. Elaine and Peter fall in love, but he must leave in the morning with the ship. Elaine writes a letter to Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to get them back together.

Expert, funny and touching performances make the most of a special screenplay by Frank Clarke (Margi’s brother). The script is expert, funny and touching, too. And the bright Film Four film is taken at a lively pace by director Bernard.

With sequelitis breaking out everywhere, it is strange there has never been the hoped-for sequel.

Also in the cast are Neil Cunningham, Ken Campbell, Frank Clarke, Tracey Lea, Susan Dempsey, Ted Wood, Carl Chase, Sharon Power, Robbie Dee, Eddie Ross and Syd Newman.

Margi Clarke’s other finest hour is Blonde Fist (1991).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5246

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