Bugsy Malone
Seen it?1976 | 93 min | Drama, Action, Comedy, Music, Family
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won an Oscar, it earned strong reviews (79% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh, action fans and families. If you loved Hair, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated G, but peril.
- Made in 1976: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
New York, 1929, a war rages between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Dan is in possession of a new and deadly weapon, the dreaded "splurge gun". As the custard pies fly, Bugsy Malone, an all-round nice guy, falls for Blousey Brown, a singer at Fat Sam's speakeasy. His designs on her are disrupted by the seductive songstress Tallulah who wants Bugsy for herself.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Actress. Won 1 Emmy: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 2 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role. Won 1 Critics' Choice Award: Critics' Choice Super Awards: Best Actress in a Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie. Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Honorary Palme d'Or. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Berlinale Camera. Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Independent Spirit Awards: Best Female Lead. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar, 3 more Emmys and 2 more Golden Globes. Plus 18 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 198K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alan Parker
- Scott BaioBugsy Malone
- Florrie DuggerBlousey
- Jodie FosterTallulah
- John CassisiFat Sam
- Martin LevDandy Dan
- Paul MurphyLeroy Smith
- Sheridan Earl RussellKnuckles
- Albin 'Humpty' JenkinsFizzy
- Paul ChirelsteinSmolsky
- Andrew PaulO'Dreary