Test yourself! Take this Peter's Friends Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. After Peter's voice over 'There are some friends you know will have for the rest of your life. You're welded together by love, trust, or guilt, or loss, or in our case, simple embarrassment,' the film's opening scene features the cast performing an updated version of a famous piece by Offenbach. Which mythological character was the original piece about?

Answer: Orpheus

The song, to which the heavily made-up cast performs the cancan before a thoroughly disinterested audience, is wittily called 'Orpheus in the Underground'. The lyrics are peppered with the names of various London Underground stations: 'Let's all go down to Oxford Circus past Traflgar Square and then from Charing Cross right down to Euston Glen...' Phew!

2. The opening scene of this film, from Hugh Laurie's absurd 'Ba-ba-ba-ba' to Vera's taking the photograph, is filmed in a single shot.

Answer: True

This is a difficult but impressive film technique which requires terrific concentration from cast and crew as well as a very flexible set. It allows for a high level of continuity and verisimilitude, bringing the audience 'into' the scene. Cinematographer Roger Lanser uses panning and tracking shots to full effect, and at one point we see actor Rihard Briers in an uncredited walk-on cameo as Peter's father, Lord Morton. Briers, a favourite with director Kenneth Branagh, appears in several of Branagh's other films, including 'Hamlet', 'In the Bleak Midwinter', 'Frankenstein' and 'Much Ado About Nothing'.

3. What is Peter's solicitor's name?

Answer: Mr. Gooch

Peter (Stephen Fry) assures Mr. Gooch that he has made on definite decision: 'I'm going to have a party.'

4. Peter, who has grown up under the eye of his housekeeper Vera, begs her 'as a personal favour to me, not to be quite so _____ to my friends.'

Answer: Gothic

Vera, who smiles only once in the entire film, is a Puccini fan (she listens to 'Madame Butterfly' while she prepares food) and mother of Paul (Alex Lowe), whom Maggie (Emma Thompson) seduces after her 'Christmas Carol' makeover. She is played elegantly by Phyllida Law, who also happens to be Emma Thompson's mother.

5. According to Brian's (Tony Slattery) inexplicable and bizarre anecdote Greta Garbo and Georgia O'Keefe used to have this Alsatian, which used to do what?

Answer: Lick them

Only Brian finds this stupid story even remotely funny. No one else has the faintest idea what he's talking about.

6. What does Carol Benson (Rita Rudner) hate most about being a public figure?

Answer: The public

Carol is approached by a fan at the airport, played by Hetta Charnley. Branagh really does enjoy recycling actors: Charnley played a much larger role in 'In the Bleak Midwinter', as Molly, Joe's sister.

7. The film, while extremely British in tone and style, was written in part by an American.

Answer: True

In fact, the screenplay was written by Rita Rudner and her husband Martin Bergmann. Bergmann, an Englishman, went to Cambridge University with Emma Thompson.

8. According to Carol, whom does Maggie make 'look like a hooker'?

Answer: Mother Theresa

Maggie, having just been turned down by Peter, has a moment of weakness and allows Carol to make her over. Toward the end of the film, still with prettily curled hair but having toned down the makeup and clothing a bit, she looks quite stunning. Still doesn't win Peter, though.

9. What is the name of Roger and Mary's surviving son?

Answer: Ben

This forms one of several mundane but heartbreaking 'mysteries' throughout the film. Simon, Ben's twin brother, seems to have fallen victim to cot death. Mary blames Roger for the loss of her infant son. Ben seems fine, though, and loves playing with the box his �40 tractor came in. Nicholas is Brian's son and Michael is Maggie's nonchalant marmalade cat.

10. The soundtrack from the film is well worth a listen. Which of the following artists does it NOT feature?

Answer: Paul McCartney

Other artists and bands on the album include Prefab Sprout, Tears for Fears, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, The Pretenders and Cindi Lauper. Lovely!

Source: Author alkmene

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor linkan before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Test yourself! Take this Peter's Friends Quiz | Movies

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