The Party's Over (1965 film)


The Party's Over is a black-and-white British film directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Oliver Reed. Filmed in 1963, it was censored in the UK over scenes of implied necrophilia, which delayed its release until 1965. It was produced by Anthony Perry, with music by John Barry. Guy Hamilton asked for his name to be removed from the credits in protest at the censorship of the film.

Synopsis

Enigmatic young American heiress Melina has fallen in with a group of Chelsea beatniks, catching the attention of the gang's defiant leader, Moise, but inviting scorn and jealousy from the group's other members, including Moise's lover, Libby. After Melina apparently vanishes during a wild and drunken party, Melina's abandoned fiancé Carson, sent by her father to return her to America, begins investigating, eventually revealing her true fate.

Cast

The film was submitted to the British Board of Film Classification in March 1963. John Trevelyan, the Secretary of the Board of the BBFC, called the film 'unpleasant, tasteless and rather offensive'. The BBFC requested three rounds of cuts, before granting an X certificate and allowing the film to finally reach cinemas in the UK in 1965. Two big changes were incorporated: a voice-over by Oliver Reed and a happier ending focusing on Nina and Carson.
Director Guy Hamilton, the producer, and the executive producer all had their names removed from the credits in protest.

DVD & Blu-ray Release

The Party's Over was released on Dual Format Edition in the UK as part of the BFI's Flipside series.