Harry enfield's ground breaking mockumentary about the life of fictional actor norbert smith. Shown on channel 4 in 1989 and filmed as if an episode of the south bank show, presented by melvyn bragg himself. Norbert smith is a hilarious spoof of tv biopics and british cinema history.    melvyn bragg as himself travels to the large country estate which is the residence of sir norbert smith harry enfield, one of britain's most famous actors, to chat about his long acting career that ranged from hamlet‚ to the face of sudso washing powder. Norbert's uncertain recollections, helped along by his love of a good old sherry, are accompanied by clips from his greatest hits, from comedy capers to bravely serving the war effort by going off to hollywood to make horrendous musicals about london and the blitz. Such iconic performances include it's grim up north, reprising the unremitting misery of 1960s social realism, to the greenham common inspire carry on banging in belated support of the peace movement. Conversations with sir norbert's famous friends help show the life of a great man, as a huge array of actors and productions are gently mocked throughout the course of the film. The huge cast includes josie lawrence whose line is it anyway?, self parodying carry on regulars jack douglas, barbara windsor and kenneth connor, and renee asherson, lawrence olivier's screen wife in henry v as lady norbert. Winner of the popular arts award at the 18th international emmy awards in 1990. Written by bafta winners harry enfield the windors and geoffrey perkins benidorm the catherine tate show. Directed by bafta winner geoff posner little britain. What the press said scabrously funny, mock reverent look at the life and career of a venerable old actor and a marvellous jape. People magazine format dvd release date 16th july 2018 runtime 50 minutes ‚‚