Newly restored tour documentary coming to DVD

Here’s a trailer from Big Banana Feet, the  rarely seen  1976 documentary about Billy Connolly’s stand-up tour,  which is about to be released on DVD after being restored.

It  was filmed on the comedian’s 1975 tour of Ireland – the same year he made his first appearance on Michael Parkinson’s chat show, propelling him to fame.

A newly restored print is being screened as part of the Glasgow Film Festival on Sunday and Monday, but both showings have sold out.

But it will be shown in some other cinemas around the UK from March 10 and released   on DVD and Blu-ray in May 20, priced £16.99 and packaged with a selection of extra features and an illustrated booklet.   (Order here)

The film institute has restored the footage in collaboration with original director Murray Grigor from the only two 16mm prints known to exist, and is now in 2K resolution. 

Grigor and cinematographer David Peat  were inspired by the fly-on-the-wall style of the Bob Dylan documentary Don’t Look Back as they recorded how Connolly used his humour to navigate the political tensions of 1970s Dublin and Belfast.

Published: 29 Feb 2024