Privilege (1967): Cast & Plot
Privilege is a 1967 drama directed by Peter Watkins, starring Paul Jones as Steven Shorter, Jean Shrimpton and Jeremy Child. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Peter Watkins
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Privilege About?
The premise of Privilege without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Britain’s megastar pop singer Steven Shorter enjoys near‑universal adulation, yet he is nothing more than a government puppet, used to push state agendas. When acclaimed artist Vanessa Ritchie is hired to paint his portrait, her presence forces Shorter to confront the manipulation of his handlers and reconsider his blind obedience.
Privilege Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hymn
- psychotronic film
- male police officer
- police officer
- satire comedy
- british
- popularity
- christian
- artist
- apple
- star
- british new wave
+38 more Show fewer
- torture
- scars
- ex convict
- youth
- withdrawal
- wine
- whipping
- wheelchair
- weightlifting
- voice over narration
- violence
- unhappiness
- traffic jam
- totalitarianism
- torn shirt
- torch
- title spoken by narrator
- theater
- television station
- tears
- tattoo
- tape recording
- tape recorder
- talking to the camera
- sword
- swimsuit
- swimming pool
- suicide threat
- suburb
- stadium
- sound fading out
- sorrow
- song
- songwriter
- singing
- sex
- self destructiveness
- savior
Privilege Cast & Characters
Paul Jones leads the cast as Steven Shorter, with Jean Shrimpton as Vanessa Ritchie and Jeremy Child as Martin Crossley. Directed by Peter Watkins; 19 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Peter Watkins
- Paul Jones as Steven Shorter
- Jean Shrimpton as Vanessa Ritchie
- Jeremy Child as Martin Crossley
- Mark London as Alvin Kirsch
Also Starring in Privilege
· 15 more- Max Bacon Julie Jordan
- William Job Andrew Butler
- Malcolm Rogers Rev. Tate
- James Cossins Professor Tatham
- Doreen Mantle Miss Crawford
- John Gill The Bishop of Surrey
- Michael Graham TV Director
- Norman Pitt The Bishop of Hersham
- Michael Barrington The Bishop of Essex
- Victor Henry Freddie K
- Arthur Pentelow Leo Stanley
- Frederick Danner Hooper
- Steve Kirby Squit
- Edwin Finn The Bishop of Cornwall
- Alba The Bishop of Rutland
Privilege Plot Summary
What happens in Privilege from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film presents a narrated documentary set in a near-future version of 1970s England, centered on a disillusioned pop star named Steven Shorter. Shorter is the country’s most adored celebrity, and his onstage persona is starkly provocative: he performs in a jail cell, handcuffed and beaten by mock police, a spectacle that both horrifies and captivates the audience. The political backdrop is equally charged, with the two main parties forming a coalition government that uses Shorter’s immense appeal to placate the public and redirect political energy away from real civic involvement.
Full summary
The whole story of Privilege, scene by scene
Privilege Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.
- Trailer Privilege (1967) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
- Featurette Allison Anders on PRIVILEGE
How Well Do You Know Privilege?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the disillusioned pop star at the center of the film?
Cars in Privilege
2 cars on screen: the 1966 Ford Mustang and the 1966 Commer Walk-Thru.
-
1966 Ford Mustang Minor role -
1966 Commer Walk-Thru Background role
Privilege Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Privilege – idol och rebell” and “امتیاز”.
- Also known as
-
- Privilege – idol och rebell
- امتیاز
- 特权
- 프리빌리지
- Privilégio
Seen Privilege?
Movies Like Privilege
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Privilege, Privileged and England Is Mine.
Privilege FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Privilege, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Privilege?
Privilege runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Privilege released?
Privilege was released on February 28, 1967.
Who directed Privilege?
Privilege was directed by Peter Watkins.
More films by Peter Watkins Who is in the cast of Privilege?
Privilege stars Paul Jones as Steven Shorter, Jean Shrimpton as Vanessa Ritchie and Jeremy Child as Martin Crossley, among 19 credited actors.
Does Privilege have a post-credit scene?
No. Privilege has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
