Praise Marx and Pass the Ammunition (1970)

A Marxist-Leninist expelled from the British Communist Party joins the Revolutionary Party of the Third World, sleeps around, and attempts to rethink his place within the revolution after the events of the 1968 May uprising in Paris.

Introduction
"Praise Marx and Pass the Ammunition" is a British film directed by Maurice Hatton. Launched in 1970, this motion picture was an ingenious expedition of the social and political upheavals of the time, provided in a satirical and humoristic frame. The film's title was drawn from the famous English expression "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition", slightly twisted to express an intriguing Marxist point of view during the heightened tension of the Cold War duration.

Plot
The movie follows the story of David, played by John Thaw, a working-class guy who experiences the radical leftist motion. The action leads him to different activities, journeying through arranging rallies, protests and experiencing the events resulting in the decrease of the British Empire and the increase of socialist and communist ideologies.

David meets and befriends Eric (Ronald Lacey), who presents him to political advocacy while they journey through London. The two characters function as a sign of the common public who were captured in the political and social chaos of the mid-20th century.

Important Themes
"Praise Marx and Pass the Ammunition" goes over some important themes that were popular in the social landscape of the 1970s. The primary style that the movie explores is socialism and its ramifications. Through the character of David, the movie offers an important assessment of the radical left and the ideas of transformation. The film utilizes paradox and humor to question the practicality of such ideologies when used to real life.

Another crucial theme that the movie explores is the principle of class struggle. David, a simple working-class guy, works as the embodiment of the 'proletariat,' the working class that Marxian ideology highlights as the main agent for social change. The film represents the character's battle with mainstream society and vital capitalist institutions.

Assessment
The film has been valued for its innovative narrative structure, which provides serious social and political concerns through a humorous tone. The intended satire is protected, making the movie a pleasant exploration of an unpredictable political and social period. Despite the humor, the movie keeps its core message, highlighting the subtleties of Marxian ideologies and their usefulness in the contemporary world.

However, the film has actually also faced criticism for its lack of focused narrative and clear ideological positioning, some specialists argue that the satirical representation tends to conflate the presented issues rather than fixing them.

Conclusion
"Praise Marx and Pass the Ammunition" is a satirical representation of the socio-political characteristics of the mid-20th century. It takes a look at the revolutionary ideologies of Marx in an useful setup and the expediency of a functioning Marxist society in the real world. Through its humoristic portrayal, the movie offers a detailed check out the radical left, acting as a social file of the turbulent times it was set in.

Top Cast

  • John Thaw (small)
    John Thaw
    Dom
  • Edina Ronay (small)
    Edina Ronay
    Lucy
  • Louis Mahoney (small)
    Louis Mahoney
    Julius
  • Anthony Villaroel
    Arthur
  • Helen Fleming
    Clara
  • David David
    Lal
  • Tanya
    Paraguayan Girl
  • Eva Enger
    Swedish Girl
  • Tandy Cronyn (small)
    Tandy Cronyn
    American Girl
  • Tina Packer
    Air Hostess
  • Neville Smith (small)
    Neville Smith
    Liverpool Delegate