The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983)

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writer:

Terry Gilliam (written by)

Release Date:

May 1983 (UK)

Genre:

Adventure | Short | Comedy | Fantasy

Plot:

A group of down-and-out accountants mutiny against their bosses and sail their office building onto the high seas in search of a pirates life.

Plot Keywords:

Corporation | Skyscraper | Thrown Through A Window | Sword Fight | Accountant

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Sydney Arnold
Guy Bertrand
Andrew Bicknell
Ross Davidson
Myrtle Devenish
Tim Douglas
Eric Francis
Matt Frewer
Billy John
Russell Kilmister
Peter Mantle
Len Marten
Peter Merrill
Cameron Miller
Gareth Milne
Larry Noble
Paddy Ryan
Leslie Sarony
John Scott Martin
Eric Stovell
Wally Thomas
Jack Armstrong
Robert Carrick
Douglas Cooper
George Daly
Chick Fowles
Terry Grant
Robin Hewlett
Tommy Isley
Juba Kennerley
Tony Lang
John Murphy
Terry Rendell
Ronald Shilling
Albert Welch
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Palin	...	Workman
Graham Chapman	...	Clerk (uncredited)
Terry Gilliam	...	Workman (uncredited)
Terry Jones	...	Clerk (uncredited)

Directed by
Terry Gilliam

Writing credits
Terry Gilliam		(written by)

Original Music by
John Du Prez

Cinematography by
Roger Pratt

Art Direction by
John Beard

Makeup Department
Elaine Carew	....	makeup artist
Sallie Evans	....	hair stylist
Maureen Stephenson	....	hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jonathan Benson	....	first assistant director
Matthew Binns	....	second assistant director
Derek Harrington	....	third assistant director
Paul Taylor	....	third assistant director
Gary White	....	first assistant director
Bob Wright	....	second assistant director (as Bobby Wright)

Sound Department
Debbie Kaplan	....	sound mixer

Visual Effects by
Michael Beard	....	model maker
Peter Pullen	....	model maker

Camera and Electrical Department
John Clark	....	electrician
Clive Coote	....	still photographer
Mark Cridlin	....	clapper loader
Tony Cridlin	....	grip
John Ignatius	....	focus puller
Sue Knight	....	clapper loader
Reg Parsons	....	best boy
Roy Rodhouse	....	gaffer
Malcolm Smith	....	grip
Toby Tyler	....	electrician
Geo. J. White	....	electrician

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joyce Stoneman	....	wardrobe

Other crew
Patricia Carr	....	production assistant
William Hobbs	....	fight arranger
Maggie Jones	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Celandine Films
• The Monty Python Partnership
• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• United International Pictures (UIP) (1983) (UK) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (1983) (USA) (theatrical)
• Image Entertainment (1998) (USA) (DVD) (as a feature on the DVD of "The Meaning of Life")
• Universal Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD) (as a feature on the special edition DVD of "The Meaning of Life")
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD) (as a feature on the DVD of "The Meaning of Life")

Other Companies

• Random  models
• Westbridge Studios  models

Also Known As:

"A Seguradora Permanente Crimson" - Portugal

Runtime:

16 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Celandine Films

Trivia:

Released as a secondary feature to support Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983).

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Directors: The Films of Terry Gilliam (#1.2)" (????)

Soundtrack:

Accountancy Shanty

Surreal

The short film that directly precedes The Meaning of Life by Monty Python(meaning, it runs directly before the rest of the film starts), this was put together by Terry Gilliam, the masterful director among the team, and the man behind both Twelve Monkeys and the animations that the team include in the Flying Circus television series. I have to admit that this is my least favorite of all of the full production, but it can't be claimed that this is not well-done. Direction is top-notch, and the whole thing runs very smoothly. Acting fits well. Production values are all of very high quality. The music and score is great, and this even gets a Monty Python song, and a good one at that. Cinematography and editing(save for just a few obvious cuts for effects) are rather good. This hardly features the Monty Python people(on-screen) at all, save for a few cameos. It's got a run-time of 16 minutes or so, if you count the credits. The pacing is marvelous. It doesn't overstay its welcome, nor does it end before it should. It has the utter madness and bizarre humor that most things Python do, coupled with that of Gilliam himself. The ending itself is typically Monty Python, and a fitting end. I recommend this to any fan of Gilliam and Monty Python, but do give the rest of The Meaning of Life your time and attention, too... I personally think it's worth it. 7/10