The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979)

Synopsis
The first of three films built around documentary footage of two Amnesty International fundraising concerts, The Secret Policeman's Ball was, like its companion films, directed by Roger Graef. While the subsequent Secret Policeman's Other Ball and The Secret Policeman's Private Parts were widely distributed in the US, the first film in the series has long been ignored. This may be because films Two and Three were highlighted by the antics of the Monty Python crew, performing several of their all-time best bits. Though Pythonites Michael Palin, John Cleese and (unbilled) Terry Jones participate in Secret Policeman's Ball, their antics take second place to those of several other prominent British comedians, of whom only Peter Cook was truly familiar to American filmgoers in 1980. If you happen to run across Secret Policeman's Ball, please give it a chance: in addition to showcasing the talents of comedienne Eleanor Bron and musician Pete Townsend, the film offers a tantalizing early glimpse of Black Adder and Mr. Bean star Rowan Atkinson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide