Various Artists
1 Jan 2007
DVD
ILC Entertainment
Five DVD Set released in the U.K
Volume One:
Pleasure At Her Majestys (1976) : John Cleese, Michael Palin, Peter cook, Dame Edna, Alan Bennett, Tim Brooke Taylor, John Fortune, Graham Chapman, John Bird, Eleanor Bron, Carol Cleveland, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Neil Innes, Bill Oddie, Johnathan Miller.
Mermaid Frollics (1977) : Peter Ustinov, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Connie Booth, Terry Jones, Julie Covington, Johnathan Miller, Pete Atkin, Des Jones.
Volume Two:
The Secret Policeman’s Ball (1979) : Peter Cook, John Cleese, Clive James, Pete Townshend, Rowan Atkinson, Michael Palin, John Williams, Sylvester Mccoy, Ken Campbell, David Rappaport, Terry Jones, Tom Robinson.
The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball (1981): Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, Alexie Sayle, Sting, John Wells (as Denis Thatcher), Phil Collins, Dame Edna, Jasper Carrot, Eric Clapton, Victoria Wood, Boomtown Rats, Michael Palin
Volume Three:
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball (1987) : Ruby Wax, Spitting Image, Kate Bush, Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie, Lenny Henry, Joan Armatrading, Mark Knopfler, Bob Geldof, Nick Kershaw, Robbie Coltrane, Phil Cool, Duran Duran, John Cleese, Chet Atkins, Emo Phillips, Lou Reed, Ben Elton, Peter Gabriel.
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball (1989): Michael Palin, John Cleese, Lenny Henry, Spitting Image, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore, Kathy Burke, Dawn French, Ade Edmonson, Hugh Laurie & Stephen Fry, Robbie Coltrane, Jennifer Saunders, John Williams, Ben Elton.
Volume Four:
Amnesty International’s Big 30 Special Edition (1991): Alexie Sayle, Johnathan Ross, Tom Jones, Spitting Image, Mel Smith & Gryff Rhys Jones, Morrissey, Andrew Strong, Mike Mcshane, Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders, Have I Got News For You, Mark Little, Jason Donovan, Trev & Simon, E M F, Jools Holland & Paula Yates, Rick Astley, Punt and Dennis, Seal, Spinal Tap, Phil Cornwell & Steve Coogan, Dave Gilmour, Dave Stewart, Emo Phillips, Lisa Stansfield, John Major, Frank Skinner, Daryll Hall, Julian Clary.
The Secret Policemans Ball – Music Edition: The best of the music from all shows
Volume Five:
Remember The Secret Policeman’s Ball? – Documentary
The Secret Policeman’s Balls are a legendary series of benefit shows staged to raise funds for Amnesty International. Beginning in 1976, they have featured the cream of Britain’s comedians and musicians, and laid the groundwork for high-profile charity events, including Live Aid. They featured comedic performances by Monty Python’s John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam, Beyond The Fringe’s Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, Billy Connolly, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) and Hugh Laurie (now best known for his role in the TV Drama, House). Additionally, the shows featured musical performances by Pete Townshend, Sting, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Peter Gabriel, Donovan, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Kate Bush and Joan Armatrading and rare duets from guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck and Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins.
Despite 5 DVDs, it still does not contain all of the Eric Clapton footage. Clapton tracks are "Further On Up The Road" and "Cause "We’eve Ended As Lovers" both with Jeff Beck and the all star finale, "I Shall Be Released." "Crossroads" with Jeff Beck is not included.