Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
A vain Norfolk radio host turns a hostage crisis into his misguided audition for national heroism.
Overview
A radio DJ's chaotic attempt to save a hostage situation spirals into absurdity and hilarity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- witty
- absurd
- comedy night
- british comedy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a highly quotable, energetic, and successful expansion of Alan Partridge into a broader hostage-crisis comedy, while noting its humor is less nuanced than the television series.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alan imagines himself as an action hero while his boastful interventions continually endanger the hostages and negotiators.
The radio station's takeover by a corporate conglomerate creates Alan's professional insecurity and triggers the crisis.
Patt Farrell takes the radio station hostage, forcing Alan into negotiations with Scotland Yard while preserving the film's comic register.
A radio station in Norfolk becomes the stage for a highly public hostage situation and Alan's fantasy of national importance.
Films like Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, and why
The Other Guys
broad british character comedy, outrageous social satire, and an egotistical protagonist whose self-importance creates escalating chaos
Four Lions
hostage-crisis farce, workplace satire, irreverent humor, and an unlikely figure forced into a public heroic role
In the Loop
sharp british absurdism, comic incompetence, quotable dialogue, and comedy built around a socially maladroit central character
The Thick of It
satirical ensemble comedy, escalating professional dysfunction, and a protagonist whose vanity repeatedly worsens a crisis
Movie Details
- Director
- Declan Lowney
- Release Date
- 2013-07-24
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (516)
Cast
- Steve Coogan
- Colm Meaney
- Felicity Montagu
- Simon Greenall
- Anna Maxwell Martin
- Darren Boyd
- Nigel Lindsay
- Dustin Demri-Burns
- Monica Dolan
- Phil Cornwell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Philo, Netflix Standard with Ads, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa about?
- A vain Norfolk radio host turns a hostage crisis into his misguided audition for national heroism.
- What is Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa as moderate.
- What did critics think of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa?
- Critics broadly found the film a highly quotable, energetic, and successful expansion of Alan Partridge into a broader hostage-crisis comedy, while noting its humor is less nuanced than the television series.
- Which films are like Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa?
- Films with a similar feel include The Other Guys, Four Lions, In the Loop, and The Thick of It.
- How long is Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa?
- Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa?
- In United States, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa streams on Netflix, Philo, Netflix Standard with Ads, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
