The Man In The Long Black Coat

Victor Meldrew's simmering feud with his colleague Patrick becomes ludicrously petty, played out through an endless chain of Post-it notes that replace actual conversation. When a council health inspector turns up, Victor is forced to explain an even odder problem, namely the delivery of horse manure for his allotment that might be contaminated. Margaret, Patrick, Pippa and other neighbours get pulled into the argument, and ordinary domestic gripes keep escalating into absurd misunderstandings. The film stays focused on small humiliations and the awkward comedy of manners that comes from people sticking to their own fragile certainties instead of talking things through.

Directed by Susan Belbin and created by David Renwick, the 1991 comedy features Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew, with Annette Crosbie, Angus Deayton, Janine Duvitski and Owen Brenman in supporting roles. It has the tidy feel of British sitcom cinema, translating witty TV sensibilities to a stand-alone story.

Commercial details are scarce, with no widely reported box office totals. The lack of documented grosses suggests it had a modest theatrical presence or a limited release, rather than a major commercial run.

Scenes built around a ridiculous stack of Post-it notes and the surreal threat of radioactive manure give the film a distinct oddball edge. Those specific images tend to stick in the memory, and the picture will likely appeal to viewers who enjoy dry, situational British humour where petty disputes balloon into outsized consequences.

Critical reaction was mixed, with appreciation for its dry wit and performances balanced against the simple premise. The movie leans into themes of neighbourliness, bureaucratic absurdity and the ways everyday routines can spiral into farce, relying on timing and character irritation more than plot twists.