Starring: Lots of people
Cert: 18
Released: 9th September 2005

There is a joke that has been circulating amongst comedians since the days of Vaudeville. It's been like a secret handshake of the profession, only for the ears of those in the know; a joke told by comedians for comedians.

The Aristrocrats is a documentary about that joke of the same name, its evolution and some of the comedians who tell it. It seems to be a very weak premise on which to base an entire film but when the 'cast' includes such names as Billy Connolly, Eddie Izzard, Eric Idle, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Bob Saget, Gilbert Gottfried, and dozens more top-billed, stand-up comedians then you know there has to be something special about it. Be aware, though, that this isn't the funniest joke in the World but quite possibly the most offensive.

The opening and punchline are the only consistent things about the joke from one comedian to the next, the variety comes in the middle and it's an opportunity for the teller to be as disgusting and offensive as s/he dares to be. And when you consider the profession of these people is to push sensibilities to the limits, when they are in their own company then there are no limits.

So as soon as you know the punchline - which isn't that funny in the first place - you'd think that the comedy is over but part of the investigation of the documentary is, what makes a joke funny? And the answer in this case is that it’s more the manner in which the joke is told than the joke itself. Each comedian imprints his/her own signature on the joke to make it a unique rendition every time.

The comedians tell their own versions and break down the process of the story and how it should build to a crescendo of filth and depravity. You would think that the documentary would progress like that but, instead, we are subjected to a George Carlin improvisation very close to the beginning that sets a high filth-standard that many others to follow don't aspire to. Variations on the joke are also told to prevent monotony kicking in and watching these masters of comedy crack themselves up is a delight in itself too.

It's an easy watch to sit through with the humour coming thick and fast, the quick fire cuts between interviews, the anticipation to see how far is too far and running at under 90 minutes.

It's always been said that the analysis of comedy takes the humour out of it but this must be the exception that proves the rule; funny in its own right but also an excellent study of the craft of comedy.