Comfort and Joy
“A serious comedy”
Synopsis
Radio host Alan 'Dickie' Bird witnesses how an icecream van is attacked and destroyed by angry competitors. This leads him into the struggle between two Italian families over the icecream market of Glasgow.
Top Cast
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Bill Paterson
Alan
Eleanor David
Maddy
Clare Grogan
Charlotte
Alex Norton
Trevor
Patrick Malahide
Colin
Roberto Bernardi
Mr. McCool
Rikki Fulton
Hilary
George Rossi
Bruno
Peter Rossi
Paolo
Billy McElhaney
Renato
Iain McColl
Archie
Billy Johnstone
Amos
Gilly Gilchrist
Rufus
Caroline Guthrie
Gloria
Oona McCracken
Nancy
Elizabeth Sinclair
Fiona
Katy Black
Sarah
Robin Black
Lily
Release History & Theatrical Window
October 10, 1984
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Bill Forsyth
- Screenplay & Story
- Bill Forsyth
- Original Score
- Mark Knopfler
- Original Title
- Comfort and Joy
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- Italian, English
- Runtime
- 1h 46m
- Production Studios
- Lake (Comfort and Joy), Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment, STV Central, Kings Road Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Bill Forsyth
Bill Forsyth
Mark Knopfler
Chris Menges
Michael Ellis
Paddy Higson, Clive Parsons, Davina Belling
Department Leadership Roster
Paddy Higson
Producer
Bill Forsyth
Director
Clive Parsons
Producer
Davina Belling
Producer
Michael Ellis
Editor
Chris Menges
Director of Photography
Mark Knopfler
Original Music Composer
Bill Forsyth
Writer
Adrienne Atkinson
Production Design
Lindy Hemming
Costume Design
Mary-Jane Reyner
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Comfort and Joy.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Comfort and Joy.
Movie Collection
Christmas
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Frequently Asked Questions About Comfort and Joy
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Comfort and Joy about?
Radio host Alan 'Dickie' Bird witnesses how an icecream van is attacked and destroyed by angry competitors. This leads him into the struggle between two Italian families over the icecream market of Glasgow.
Who directed Comfort and Joy?
Comfort and Joy was directed by Bill Forsyth.
Who stars in Comfort and Joy?
The principal cast of Comfort and Joy includes Bill Paterson, Eleanor David, Clare Grogan, Alex Norton, Patrick Malahide.
When was Comfort and Joy released and how long is it?
Comfort and Joy was released in 1984 with a total runtime of 1h 46m.
Who composed the musical score for Comfort and Joy?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Comfort and Joy was composed by Mark Knopfler.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Comfort and Joy?
Comfort and Joy holds official age classifications: GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).