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Comedy Cult Classic

Pop idols, runaway models, and a meat ad campaign collide in swinging '60s London.

HAVING A WILD WEEKEND

1965 · 1h 27m · NR · Comedy / Musical · IMDB TMDB

Dinah is a model whose face appears in an ad campaign for meat. While shooting a TV commercial, she and Steve, one of the stunt men, run off together. The advertising executives use their disappearance to generate more publicity for meat.

Quick Answer

What is Having a Wild Weekend about?

Having a Wild Weekend is a 1965 United Kingdom comedy musical film directed by John Boorman about a disillusioned stuntman and a model who abscond from a meat advertising campaign, sparking a publicity-fueled chase across England.

Programmer's Pick

John Boorman’s directorial debut has more on its mind than mop-top hijinks—it’s a sly jab at fame, advertising, and youth culture, with the Dave Clark Five providing both the soundtrack and the cast. If you’re here for swinging London, E-type Jaguars, and a meat campaign that’s more absurd than appetizing, you’re in the right spot.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s London, Having a Wild Weekend follows five young people who share a flat and work in the world of advertising. During the filming of a TV commercial for a meat campaign at Smithfield Market, stuntman Steve grows weary of the shallow industry and impulsively drives off in a Jaguar E-type with Dinah, a model whose face dominates the campaign’s posters. Their journey takes them from urban London through open-air swimming pools and historic conservatories, all the way toward the Devon coast. Their escapade, both a rebellion and a search for authenticity, is quickly co-opted by the ad executives for even more publicity, blending satire, pop music, and youthful restlessness into a road comedy with a distinctly British flavor.

Details & Specs

Director
John Boorman
Writer
Peter Nichols
Release
1965
Runtime
1h 27m
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Genres
Comedy, Musical
Also Known As
Having a Wild Weekend, Catch Us If You Can (original title)

Why This Matters

This film marks the feature debut of director John Boorman and serves as a showcase for the Dave Clark Five at the height of their popularity, rivaling the Beatles, with its title drawn from one of their hit songs.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: John Boorman Writer: Peter Nichols

Why Cult

Swinging London Road Trip

The film zips through 1960s hotspots, from Smithfield Market to a wintry Devon coast, capturing the era’s style and energy.

Pop Music & Musical Cast

Starring the Dave Clark Five, this comedy infuses its narrative with on-screen performances and a lively pop soundtrack.

Satire of Advertising

A meat ad campaign and its absurd slogans become targets for the film’s cheeky critique of media and commercial culture.

British Sixties Style

Showcasing iconic cars, trendy flats, and a parade of eccentric English locales, the film is steeped in the look and feel of its decade.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Having a Wild Weekend? +

Having a Wild Weekend was directed by John Boorman.

When was Having a Wild Weekend released? +

Having a Wild Weekend was released in 1965.

How long is Having a Wild Weekend? +

Having a Wild Weekend has a runtime of 87 minutes.

What genre is Having a Wild Weekend? +

Having a Wild Weekend is a comedy musical.

Where can I watch Having a Wild Weekend? +

You can watch Having a Wild Weekend on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips