I found this movie extremely entertaining for two reasons: 1, I love chocolate and 2, I love the idea of fighting the system. I'm pretty sure that this movie was set in London NOT in Melbourne as some people seem to think. It was a BBC production after all. The acting could have been better with some of the younger characters but overall it was an extremely good performance by the cast. The film is entertaining for the simple fact that although it is completely unrealistic (chocolate detectors?) it really has that fun element of suspense. It has a serious underlying message about fighting for democracy and freedom, while presenting it in a fun and entertaining way. For a good laugh and a morale booster I really recommend you watch Bootleg.
11 Reviews
A tongue-in-cheek take on Orwell's '1984'
micpp15 December 2002
I have only seen the first two episodes of this series so far, but one thing that has stuck in my mind is the similarities between this miniseries and the book '1984' by George Orwell. Since I enjoyed that book, I have found myself greatly enjoying this series.
The way I see it, the Good for You party (great name by the way) is like INGSOC in 1984, and the methods used against people who like chocolate are very much like the methods used by the Thought Police and the Ministry of Love. The preview shown for the third episode seems to confirm this.
However, Bootleg seems to be a lot more optimistic than 1984, although this may change later.
One thing that lets this series down is that it is supposed to be set in England, as shown by the use of pounds for money, but it is quite clearly filmed in Melbourne, Australia, and makes use of many Australian actors with obvious accents. This is really my only serious problem with this series.
Overall, this is a good series, and well worth a look if you have read 1984. If you enjoyed this series, I recommend obtaining a copy of the book 1984, so you can see where the writers got their ideas.
8/10
The way I see it, the Good for You party (great name by the way) is like INGSOC in 1984, and the methods used against people who like chocolate are very much like the methods used by the Thought Police and the Ministry of Love. The preview shown for the third episode seems to confirm this.
However, Bootleg seems to be a lot more optimistic than 1984, although this may change later.
One thing that lets this series down is that it is supposed to be set in England, as shown by the use of pounds for money, but it is quite clearly filmed in Melbourne, Australia, and makes use of many Australian actors with obvious accents. This is really my only serious problem with this series.
Overall, this is a good series, and well worth a look if you have read 1984. If you enjoyed this series, I recommend obtaining a copy of the book 1984, so you can see where the writers got their ideas.
8/10
Nice, subversive metaphore for all the family.
taliesin-823 August 2004
The government imposes the ban on chocolate ! Well, that might be a stupid point to start a movie, but it handles the idea very well: if you forbide something that people want, they will fight to get it back. Black market will appear, and everybody that we know will suffer the consequences.
It is a good family movie, but also it works at another level: replace the word "chocolate" by "cocaine", "pot", "heroine", or "iron maiden LPs", and you'll get the idea. The writers have managed to understand the mechanics of the black market and all the clichés of the underground movements and put it into a nice Sunday evening cable movie. Of course that it went unnoticed under all the Harry Potter hype, but it has that kind of stories that will touch some kind of fiber in you, even with all those clichés flying around.
It is a good family movie, but also it works at another level: replace the word "chocolate" by "cocaine", "pot", "heroine", or "iron maiden LPs", and you'll get the idea. The writers have managed to understand the mechanics of the black market and all the clichés of the underground movements and put it into a nice Sunday evening cable movie. Of course that it went unnoticed under all the Harry Potter hype, but it has that kind of stories that will touch some kind of fiber in you, even with all those clichés flying around.
Perfect for chocoholics
Amxitsa2 January 2004
Having only seen a small amount of this when it was first shown I decided to give the repeat a go and sat and watched it in one solid 3 ½ hour session. I have to say that it was a really nice family movie. Despite having a serious message it works as simply a wholesome story of two boys attempt to fight the system. There may be a few plot holes as to why exactly chocolate was banned, and the rather annoying question of where it is supposed to be set (I'm guessing England, based on the fact it was English money although why they didn't just set it in Australia I'm not sure), but these are overcome by the acting and the warm feeling the film creates. Special note I think has to go to Anthony Hammer, (the only one of the Hancock family in Neighbours who could actually act) who should have been given a much better role in Neighbours, this at least demonstrates how underused he was. I challenge anyone to watch this film (especially the credits) without wanting to eat chocolate. Overall well worth a look especially on a cold winter afternoon.
one of the best
atomius2 October 2004
If this isn't one of the best ever family mini series, then please kill me. For i believe that the acting is brilliant, the stars know how to speak, yes, thats right, how to speak, and the plot is excellently drafted. On the whole i give the show a healthy 8/10. The acting is excellent, and the props are quite believable. You feel like becoming part of the show. Chocaholics are probably the target audience. Frankly, if chocolate isn't the main subject of the show, then it must be cocoa mass!!! Of course, it's great fun for all ages on a cold winter day when you don't want to see star wars of teletubbies, but something nice and relaxing, yet compelling drama.
One of the worst childrens program ive ever seen...
DimmieBob8 September 2003
I can't seem to find anything that is good about this miniseries. Why the hell would you ban chocolate when u could ban something far more practical like smoking or alcohol? Also the fact that its an Australian program and its all set in england and everyone is faking british accents is stupid. Overall i think that this show is Unrealistic and cheap.
Fantastic family viewing
simonclarke24 December 2002
I was so impressed with Bootleg. I thought it started strong, but just got better and better as the show progressed. Episode three had me on the edge of my seat in parts, and in tears in other parts. The cast is very strong, although the Australian accents do shine through in places. I'm assuming it is supposed to be set in England and not Australia. The two leading kids (Steven Geller and Anthony Hammer) do a brilliant job of portraying Huntley and Smudger. Anthony is Australian and Steven is English. The two of them seemed to have so much energy ,and were genuinely believable as good friends. I wonder how they were off camera. My guess is that they got on really well. Anthony's robotic trance in episode 3 is faultless. You will recognise Anthony from his days as Leo Hancock in Neighbours. I was extremely impressed with Steven Geller's performance. His character takes longer to explain than Anthony's. But in Episode three, he went through all the emotions perfectly. His tearful and aggressive scenes were very believable, and the stare of disbelief at the end of episode 2 gave me goose pimples! You will recognise him from playing Mike in Mike and Angelo on CITV. Martin Jarvis played a lovely old book seller, and Gemma Jones was a warm and cuddly sweet shop owner.
Overall, Alex Shearer's novel was beautifully brought to life by Ian Gilmore's clever directing. It was a funny and light hearted tea-time drama which the BBC should be proud of. I'm not sure whether they are planning a sequel, but I would certainly watch it if they did. I look forward to the DVD or video release.
Congratulations to all involved.
9.5/10
Overall, Alex Shearer's novel was beautifully brought to life by Ian Gilmore's clever directing. It was a funny and light hearted tea-time drama which the BBC should be proud of. I'm not sure whether they are planning a sequel, but I would certainly watch it if they did. I look forward to the DVD or video release.
Congratulations to all involved.
9.5/10
Yummy!!
Estella22 December 2002
Every once in a while, a family drama comes along that really warms you up on a cold winter day, and 'Bootleg' is one of them. A simple story of two boys and their friends trying to get round a chocolate ban imposed on the country by the sinister Nazi-like 'Good-For-You' group. Wonderful performances by the cast, (and mouth-watering chocolate!!) makes this a real feast for the whole family. -I am a chocoholic myself, so was going to watch this lovely family programme from the start simply for that reason! Well done to all involved.
good show, but a bit annoying.
karLcx1 September 2003
This is an interesting TV show, but I found it annoying that they made Melbourne look like it was England or something... the Victorian number plates on cars made it a bit obvious. For such a politically charged show show, i wouldn't think that ethnicity would be such an issue, and being Australian such a 'liability'.
Excellent viewing
selektadan_i16 January 2012
I thought this was a great little series, well made and relevant, it was very good family viewing. The central premise of the series is "What would happen if they banned chocolate?" It is an obvious analogy to the current prohibition of Cannabis, which makes just as little sense. Very good to spark intelligent debate with your children.
Reviewers have mentioned that this was filmed in Australia but set in the U.K. I have to admit that I hardly noticed this, I suppose we get so used to seeing Aussie T.V. programmes in the U.K. that they now feel as familiar as U.K. made programmes. Actually that made me start wondering just how many U.K. programmes get watched in Australia?
Reviewers have mentioned that this was filmed in Australia but set in the U.K. I have to admit that I hardly noticed this, I suppose we get so used to seeing Aussie T.V. programmes in the U.K. that they now feel as familiar as U.K. made programmes. Actually that made me start wondering just how many U.K. programmes get watched in Australia?
A decent adaptation of the novel.
pinksuse-587-71555214 March 2018
I have read this book numerous times to my students and only just discovered this adaptation. While it stays true to the essence of the main story line, I was disappointed that some of the plot details were changed, especially the ones that were so much a part of the humour in the book. I was also disappointed in the casting of Frankie Crawley who in my vision should have been much smaller and meeker only puffing himself up to match his 'authority'. His and Myrtle Perkin's (another name change) storylines were not well developed in this adaptation either. However, the retelling of this story grew on me and I think it was quite well done overall.
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