Baxter Thwaites (Michael Caine) is governor of Cascara, a long-forgotten British colony in the Caribbean. His peaceful life is disturbed only by his shrill wife and the Cascaran Liberation Front — a rebel group that no one takes seriously because it only consists of two people, one of whom (Delgado Fitzhugh, played by Billy Connolly) communicates solely through (bad) singing.But when an abandoned oil rig starts delivering pure mineral water, Cascara suddenly has a valuable resource that Downing Street, the White House, French mercenaries, Cuban guerrillas, and an American oil company will do anything to obtain.Not to be confused with the less light-hearted Deepa Mehta film of the same name. Nor the artistic Half-Life 2 mod of the same name.
"Fidel says Cuba will shed blood for revolution of downtrodden people anywhere. But your people are too downtrodden even for Cuba!"
Cameo: Features a performance by a (fictional) charity band "The Singing Rebels" featuring both George Harrison and Ringo Starr — rarely seen together since the break-up of The Beatles — together with Jon Lord, Eric Clapton, and Billy Connolly on vocals.
TV director: "That's err...Ringo Whosit...and George Whatsit! It's Whosit and Whatsit, back together again!"
Contest Winner Cameo: BBC television presenter Paul Heiney played the French mercenary commander, as part of the "In at the Deep End" series.
Chekhov's Volcano: Averted. There's constant talk of the island's volcano erupting, but it never does.
Eric: "Am I never to be forgiven for one moment of weakness?"
Baxter: "According to our latest census you've had at least fourteen moments of weakness, Eric."
Also Sir Malcolm is always insisting his women dress up in Naughty Nun and schoolgirl costumes.
Deadline News: Not strictly an example of this trope, but close.
American TV presenter: "The man they call the Singing Rebel is still at liberty. And in this remote and inhospitable terrain, he could be in one of a thousand places. (The CLF walk out of the bushes behind him, holding their AK47s) Why do you guys have your hands in the air...uhh..."
Deadpan Snarker: Baxter is the champion at this. The DJ and Pepito have their moments, too
DJ: "Newsflash! In a daring raid, Delgado Fitzhugh and Garfield Cooper seized Radio Cascara and urged the people to take to the streets!(looks out the window with binoculars) They didn't.
All of this delivered in a complete deadpan
Fast Roping: The CLF attack the radio station by sliding down the telephone wire (even though they could have simply walked up to the door). Billy Connolly misjudges his distance and goes crashing through the roof.
Fictional Country : Cascara as the obligatory stereotypical British Caribbean overseas territory.
Freudian Excuse: Reverend Fitzhugh thinks Delgado is a rebel out of revenge for not marrying his mother. Also environmental activist Pamela Weintraub, daughter of the Spenco CEO.
"Baxter, I have been trying to get back at my father, but I think I've a good reason for it. Dad's a prick."
Foreign Queasine: when Sir Malcolm meets Delgado and Garfield in the prison, they're eating a soup which can also be made into rope, if need be
Fun with Acronyms: T.I.T., the three vital elements of insurgency (Terror, Infiltration, Television).
Going Native: Governor Baxter Thwaites, to the extent of eventually joining up with the Cascaran Liberation Front to fight for the island's independence.
TV Presenter: "Once again American soldiers have set foot on foreign soil, in a land which — until last week — they had never heard of. Many of them are searching their hearts and asking: Why are we here?"
(Cut to soldier asking his commanding officer: "Sir, why are we here?")
My Card: After nearly throttling Baxter to death, the mercenary commander leaves him his card.
"If you are in need of an army, just call."
National Anthem: The Cascarans imitate various swimming styles when singing this, as the islanders were all descended from shipwrecked sailors.
Nice Hat: Baxter complains that his feathered dress helmet makes him feel like he has a live chicken on his head. When he discovers that Britain is abandoning the colony, he chucks the helmet into the sea.
The Power of Rock: Delgado appeals to the United Nations Assembly to grant Cascara's independence by singing to them. Unfortunately he's a Dreadful Musician so they're not impressed, until a cameo appearance by some former Beatles saves the day.
French agent: "This is a dangerous mission, and some of you will die. But remember, in a world gone mad, you will die for a principle that you all hold close to your heart. Money!"
Really Gets Around: Pastor Fitzhugh apparently has 14 illegitimate children on Cascara
Reassigned to Antarctica: Baxter was assigned to Cascara after his wife danced topless at a reception for the Duke of Edinburgh.
Shur Fine Guns: Sir Malcolm's visit is commemorated with a salute from the island's ancient cannon. It blows up instead.
Someone's Touching My Butt: When Baxter and Pamela Weintraub are tied to a tree by Cuban guerillas, Baxter has to inform her that it's not his lighter she's grabbed to burn the ropes.
The Stoner: The only crop that hasn't failed on Cascara is marijuana. Even the Governor has his own garden of "heavy duty herbs".
Rev. Fitzhugh: "I suppose they all want to go where the grass is greener."
Baxter:(smoking a joint) "They'll find it a lot more expensive."
One subversion is that Cascara is apparently worthless for tourism: it has no beaches and there is a constant wind blowing everywhere making it impossible to play bridge.
We Need a Distraction: So he can get the jump on the Cubans, Baxter tells Pamela to look like he'd escaped from his bonds and ravished her. After rearranging her clothes to effect this illusion, the two of them start ravishing each other for real.
0 reviews