Les Patterson Saves the World is a 1987 Australian comedy film starring Barry Humphries as his stage creations Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage. Plot The uncouth Sir Les Patterson teams up with Dame Edna Everage (both played by Barry Humphries) to save the world from a virulent bioterror attack ordered by Colonel Richard Godowni (Thaao Penghlis) of the Gulf State of Abu Niveah. Cast Barry Humphries as Sir Les Patterson / Dame Edna Everage Pamela Stephenson as Veronique Crudité Thaao Penghlis as Colonel Richard Godowni Andrew Clarke as Neville Thonge Henri Szeps as Dr. Charles Herpes / Desiree Herpes Hugh Keays-Byrne as Inspector Farouk Elizabeth McIvor as Nancy Borovansky Garth Meade as Mustafa Toul Arthur Sherman as General Evans John Clarke as Mike Rooke Josef Drewniak as Mossolov Esben Storm as Russian Scientist Joy Westmore as Lady Gwen Patterson Connie Hobbs as Madge Allsop Joan Rivers as the U.S. President Production The film was co-written by Humphries with his third wife Diane Millstead, and directed by George Miller of The Man from Snowy River fame. The film was originally meant to be made by Thorn EMI in Britain but was eventually established in Australia with entirely Australian money. Filming began 18 August 1986. Box office Les Patterson Saves the World grossed $626,000 at the box office in Australia. "It was a disaster of major proportions," said Jonathan Chissick of Hoyts, who distributed the film in Australia. David Stratton wrote in 1990, "The gala opening was an embarrassing occasion, and it is still rumoured in the industry today that the Federal Treasurer Paul Keating, who attended, was so angry that he decide to end rorts in the film industry." The movie was released to British cinemas in 1988 but was not successful there either. Critical reception Australian film critic Michael Adams later included Les Patterson Saves the World on his list of the worst ever Australian films, along with Phantom Gold, The Glenrowan Affair, Houseboat Horror, Welcome to Woop Woop, The Pirate Movie and Pandemonium. See also Cinema of Australia References External links Les Patterson Saves The World at the National Film and Sound Archive Les Patterson Saves the World at Oz Movies Review at the Guardian Les Patterson Saves the World at BFI Les Patterson Saves the World at Screen Australia Les Patterson Saves the World at Letterbox DVD 1987 films 1987 comedy films Australian comedy films Films