A Fish Called Wanda redefined the heist comedy by blending British dry wit with American slapstick energy. John Cleese crafted a masterpiece involving double-crosses, animal casualties, and a very confused barrister. This film remains a high-water mark for Monty Python alumni and 1980s cinema alike.
Detailed Summary
The Diamond Heist
Four criminals plan a massive jewelry robbery in London. George leads the group, while his lover Wanda and her secret boyfriend Otto provide the muscle and charm. Ken, a nervous man with a severe stutter, rounds out the crew.
They successfully steal a fortune in diamonds from a secure vault. Shortly after the crime, Wanda and Otto betray George by calling the police. Consequently, George goes to jail before he can distribute the loot.
The Search for the Loot
George moved the diamonds to a secret location before his arrest. Meanwhile, Wanda discovers George hid the key to a safe deposit box inside Ken’s fish tank. She takes the key but still needs the actual location of the box.
She decides to seduce George’s stiff defense attorney, Archie Leach. Wanda hopes Archie will inadvertently reveal where George stashed the jewels. Archie lives a miserable, repressed life and falls quickly for her exotic charms.
Escalating Chaos
Otto becomes insanely jealous of Archie and repeatedly interrupts their romantic trysts. Furthermore, he accidentally kills a series of small dogs while trying to assassinate a witness. This witness, an elderly woman, eventually dies of a heart attack after the final dog perishes.
Ken struggles to keep his beloved tropical fish safe from the carnivorous Otto. Specifically, Otto eats Ken’s prized fish, Wanda, to force him to talk. Finally, the various schemes converge as everyone hunts for the safe deposit box at the airport.
Movie Ending
Archie realizes the diamonds are at Heathrow Airport and rushes to catch Wanda. Otto captures Archie and prepares to kill him in a barrel of oil. However, Ken arrives driving a massive steamroller to seek revenge for his fallen fish.
Ken successfully flattens Otto into the wet concrete, though the villain miraculously survives the ordeal. Archie and Wanda eventually board a plane to Rio de Janeiro with the stolen fortune. They leave George in prison and Otto fuming in the pavement. Ultimately, Archie finds the passion and freedom he lacked in his boring legal career.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No post-credits scenes appear after the film concludes. The story ends decisively with the characters’ fates explained through text overlays. These humorous blurbs describe what happened to everyone after the heist.
Type of Movie
This film is a classic heist comedy. It balances dark humor with frantic farce and romantic elements. Notably, the tone shifts between witty verbal sparring and physical slapstick effortlessly.
Cast
- John Cleese – Archie Leach
- Jamie Lee Curtis – Wanda Gershwitz
- Kevin Kline – Otto West
- Michael Palin – Ken Pile
- Tom Georgeson – George Thomason
- Maria Aitken – Wendy Leach
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by John Du Prez. He previously worked with the Python crew on The Meaning of Life. His music reflects the tension of the heist while maintaining a light, comedic bounce.
Synthesizers and orchestral arrangements blend to create a distinctly 1980s soundscape. For instance, the main theme captures the mischievous nature of the titular character.
Filming Locations
The production took place primarily in London and Oxfordshire. Key scenes utilized the Old Bailey to ground the legal drama in reality. These authentic British settings provide a perfect foil for the chaotic American characters.
The finale was filmed at Heathrow Airport. Using real landmarks helped emphasize Archie’s desperate attempt to escape his dreary life. Furthermore, the docks along the Thames served as the gritty backdrop for the gang’s initial hideout.
Awards and Nominations
Kevin Kline won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Otto. In addition, the film received nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. It also achieved significant success at the BAFTA Awards, winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- John Cleese spent years perfecting the screenplay before filming began.
- Michael Palin based his stuttering character on his own father’s experiences.
- Kevin Kline stayed in character as the arrogant Otto throughout much of the production.
- The name Archie Leach is actually the birth name of legendary actor Cary Grant.
- Director Charles Crichton came out of retirement to helm this project.
Inspirations and References
The movie is an original story penned by John Cleese. However, it draws inspiration from classic Ealing Comedies of the 1950s. These films often featured polite society clashing with incompetent criminals.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
An alternate ending showed Ken actually killing Otto with the steamroller. Test audiences found the original cut too dark, so the filmmakers added the gag where Otto survives. Several scenes showing more of Archie’s unhappy home life also hit the cutting room floor.
Book Adaptations and Differences
This film is not based on a book. It is an original screenplay written by John Cleese and Charles Crichton. A novelization was released later, but the movie came first.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Otto dangling Archie out of a window to demand an apology.
- Ken accidentally crushing three small dogs during his hit attempts.
- Wanda becoming sexually aroused by Otto speaking foreign languages.
- The final confrontation between Ken and Otto at the airport.
Iconic Quotes
- “Don’t call me stupid!”
- “To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people!”
- “I’m disappointed in you, Archie. I thought you were a professional.”
- “Asshole!”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The fish tank contains specific species that reflect the personalities of the human characters.
- Kevin Kline’s character often sniffs his own armpits, an improvisation from the actor.
- John Cleese’s daughter plays Archie’s daughter in the film.
- The portrait of the witness’s dogs changes throughout the movie as they die.
Trivia
- A Danish man reportedly died from laughter while watching the film in a theater.
- Jamie Lee Curtis held a pillow over her face during takes to stop herself from laughing at Kline.
- The film was a massive sleeper hit, eventually grossing over two hundred million dollars.
- John Cleese took a break from acting for several years after this film’s success.
Why Watch?
You should watch this movie for the electric chemistry between the four leads. It offers a perfect blend of high-brow wit and low-brow physical comedy. Admittedly, few films manage to make jewelry theft and animal accidents this hilariously charming.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
- The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)
- The Battle of the Sexes (1959)
- Hue and Cry (1947)
