Imagine a film so bizarre, it almost ended the career of a music legend. Sir Cliff Richard’s 'Take Me High' is that film—a so-called 'cinematic love song to Birmingham' that blends musical comedy with the dry world of local government contracts. But here's where it gets controversial... While some celebrate its quirky charm, others argue it’s a 'mind-bogglingly strange' misstep that nearly derailed Sir Cliff’s legacy. So, was it a bold experiment or a career-killing flop? Let’s dive in.
In 1973, Sir Cliff, already a film darling with hits like The Young Ones and Summer Holiday, starred in this oddball production. The plot? A banker named Tim Matthews, played by Sir Cliff, is sent to Birmingham instead of his dream job in New York. And this is the part most people miss... He ends up living on a luxury canal barge, inventing the legendary 'Brumburger,' and leading a surreal burger-themed parade through the city. Yes, you read that right.
City author Catherine O'Flynn describes the film as 'a musical without hit songs and a comedy without discernible jokes.' Yet, it’s this very strangeness that’s now being celebrated. On Friday night, the Mockingbird Cinema in Digbeth is screening the film, rebranded as Take Me High Bab on posters and T-shirts. Artists Tom Hicks and Dean Kelland have even created new artworks to honor its peculiar brilliance.
Here’s the kicker... While the film failed to revive Sir Cliff’s acting career—it was his last role—it inadvertently became a time capsule for Birmingham’s landmarks, including its now-demolished Brutalist library. 'In a time when Birmingham was only seen through reductive voices,' says Kelland, 'this film captures the optimism of the city’s rise as a post-war Modernist hotspot.'
But let’s not forget the controversy. One reviewer called it 'a cheap, weird attempt to repeat Sir Cliff’s 1960s success.' Hicks adds, 'It was supposed to resurrect his career, but it almost ended both his film and music careers.' Ouch.
Still, the film’s legacy lives on. From commemorative T-shirts by Punks and Chancers to its prescient vision of Birmingham’s industrial heritage repurposed for leisure, Take Me High is a cultural oddity that demands attention. As O'Flynn notes, Sir Cliff’s 'swanky bachelor pad' narrowboat kickstarted the trend of transforming industrial spaces into leisure hubs—a direction Birmingham has since embraced.
So, is Take Me High a masterpiece or a mess? That’s for you to decide. Will you join the debate? Let us know in the comments—and don’t miss the screening at 20:00 GMT on Friday at the Mockingbird Cinema. This is one cinematic curiosity you won’t forget.
