The Hippopotamus

Cinephile deep dive

The take

John Jencks directs. Angus Hudson behind the camera. Samuel Karl Bohn scores. Robin Hill cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

• 186 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
• 2Released 9 years ago.
• 3Directed by John Jencks, shot by Angus Hudson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
• 4Original score by Samuel Karl Bohn. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
• 5Editor Robin Hill shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
• 6Roger Allam and Matthew Modine and Tim McInnerny carry the top of the cast.
• 7Marketing tagline: "A beast of a comedy.".
• 8IMDB entry: tt3758708 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
• 9Released under 12 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography

Angus Hudson

Original score

Samuel Karl Bohn

Editing

Robin Hill

Production design

Stéphane Collonge

Costume design

Annie Hardinge

Makeup / hair

Polly Fehily

Runtime

86 min · 1h 26m

Aspect ratio (typical)

1.37:1 (Academy)

Status

Released

Original language

EN

Certification (US)

NR

IMDB

The Hippopotamus (2017) ↗

Also by

John Jencks

• 
  The Fold

  2014 · ★ 4.8

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

• 

  ▶
  The Hippopotamus Official Trailer

  Trailer

Community reviews

What people are saying

• Crazypiglady2023-02-07
  ★ 6/10

  Not everyone loves these posh films. I often do but can usually decide in the first few minutes if I can belive it or not. By posh I mean, well … posh.. such as those based on a book by the quintessentially posh person, Stephen Fry, it follows the hilariously cynical protagonist as he’s overpaid into investigating ‘miracles’ happening in an historical home, performed (possibly) by his godson. The film, although dryly cynical explores our perception of magic and miracles and a desire to believe in something more magical than our daily lives. And who better to investigate it than someone who thinks its complete and utter bollocks.

  Read full review ↓

Production companies

Who made it

• 

  Electric Shadow Company

  GB

Key crew

• NovelStephen Fry
• Associate ProducerKabir Malik
• Co-ProducerKwesi Dickson
• EditorRobin Hill
• Set DecorationCaroline Steiner
• Production DesignStéphane Collonge
• Costume DesignAnnie Hardinge
• CastingGemma Sykes
• ProducerAlexa Seligman
• Associate ProducerGeorgia Goggin
• Art DirectionIrene Moreno Feliu
• EditorJohn Richards
• Line ProducerEmma Biggins
• CastingDan Hubbard
• ProducerJay Taylor
• ContinuityNaomi Marvelly
• Production AccountantJohn Targett
• Main Title Theme ComposerAntonio Sánchez
• ElectricianSol Saihati
• Makeup ArtistPolly Fehily
• Makeup ArtistSara Kramer
• HairstylistSara Kramer
• Makeup ArtistAileen Seaton
• Special Effects Makeup ArtistChris Lyons

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

• based on novel or book
• miracle
• poet
• writer's block
• leukemia
• mansion

Release history · US

When it landed

• Premiere2017-01-14NR· Palm Springs International Film Festival
• Theatrical (limited)2017-05-30NR· Seattle International Film Festival
• Theatrical (limited)2017-04-14NR· Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival
• Theatrical (limited)2017-11-11NR· Coronado Island Film Festival
• Digital2017-08-01NR

Also known as

International titles

• Kolos på lerfødderDK
• En flodhäst i tesalongenSE
• ГиппопотамRU
• ГіпопотамUA
• El hipopótamoES
• HipopotamPL
• En flodhest kommer til middagNO
• The HippopotamusNZ
• The HippopotamusIE
• A vízilóHU
• Virtahepo tulee päivälliselleFI
• 河马CN