Starring: Christian Slater, Neve Campbell, Lesley Phillips.

Cert: 15

An American lieutenant visits the British Prime Minister (John Culshaw) with some disturbing information; the British living legend, Winston Churchill (Roy Bubbles), was not really the aged, portly, profound icon we have been lead to believe but actually a young American G.I. (Slater).

            As records are searched the truth is slowly revealed that Churchill was singularly responsible for capturing the Enigma Device and rousing a previously Nazi sympathetic British Government to up their war effort.

            And in the process he still has the time to woo feisty, patriotic Princess Elizabeth Windsor (Campbell).

Churchill was written and directed by Peter Richardson who was largely responsible for The Comic Strip Presents series and follows perfectly in its footsteps. The theme of Hollywood’s continuous desecration of the World’s historical moments (specifically, in this case, Britain’s part in World War II) is one he has used before - The Strike where Richardson played Al Pacino playing Arthur Scargill - but this time he has the budget to get the real big names in. It’s a one joke concept that could fall short if it wasn’t for the relatively high production value and the amazing cast he’s pulled together. Listing more like a Who’s Who of British comedy than a film cast, it includes Phil Cornwell, Harry Enfield, Rik Mayal, Steve Pemberton, Miranda Richardson, Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer, Mackenzie Crook, James Dreyfuss, Sally Phillips, David Schneider and the voice of Alistair McGowan.

            The sets are gloriously elaborate, authentic and comically very clever; from Buckingham Palace through the East End to Heathrow Airport. The pyrotechnics and stunts have had a fair share of the budget to make them credible within the whole ‘gung ho’ subtext.

            Each cameo is played to its best without distracting from the ‘plot’ or main characters and provides its own individual brand of comedy. And they’re all wrapped up in this framework of farce, satire, in-film references and dark silliness which fundamentally epitomises British humour.

The special features are pretty impressive too. An informal audio commentary with Richardson and Slater provide the usual mix of background info and stories without sounding dull.

            There are a couple of featurettes; one behind the scenes with deleted scenes and cast interviews and the other a spinoff look at the lieutenant’s search for the truth featuring more of John Culshaw in ott Chav-Blair mode.

            On top of that there is a collection of more deleted and extended scenes, out-takes, trailers and an alternative beginning and end.

            There is very little repetition across the features and all show that a great deal of fun was had during the filming and some care was put into a decent DVD package.

Accept Churchill in the manner that it’s presented and it’s an enjoyable film with some clever background gags and devilishly dangerous comedy. The bonus of a decent selection of features makes it a worthy addition to the collection even though it might only come out when you’re in the mood for brainless silliness.