Hippie Hippie Shake

Working Title Films

Company type	Film production company
Industry	Film production
Founded	1983
Founder	Tim Bevan, Sarah Radclyffe
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Key people	Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Products	Films
Website	workingtitlefilms.com

Hippie Hippie Shake is a British drama film that remains unreleased, produced by Working Title Films. The narrative is adapted from the memoir of Richard Neville, who edited the Australian satirical publication Oz. It chronicles his relationship with Louise Ferrier, the creation of Oz's London edition amid the 1960s countercultural movement, and the subsequent legal trial faced by the staff for distributing an issue deemed obscene. The cast features Cillian Murphy portraying Neville and Sienna Miller as Ferrier.

Development of Hippie Hippie Shake commenced at Working Title in 1998 but encountered numerous postponements alongside changes in directors and screenwriters. Filming officially began in September 2007. Despite completion efforts, Working Title announced in 2011 that the film would not be released theatrically.

Premise

The story follows Richard Neville and Louise Ferrier as they initiate the provocative London version of Oz magazine and confront legal challenges after publishing a controversial issue. The film serves as an allegorical portrayal of London's 1960s counterculture.

Pre-production delays

In October 1998, Working Title Films publicized plans to develop Hippie Hippie Shake, adapting Richard Neville’s memoir. Don Macpherson was commissioned to write the screenplay, with production tentatively set for 1999, dependent on the company’s position following the dissolution of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.

The project then entered a period of inactivity until February 2002, when Working Title revived it with director Shekhar Kapur attached and a script by Tom Butterworth, though further delays ensued.

By May 2007, a third initiative was announced featuring director Beeban Kidron and screenwriter Lee Hall, with distribution by Universal Pictures, aiming to commence filming in autumn 2007.

Production

After William Nicholson contributed to the screenplay, principal photography started on 17 September 2007. Richard Neville remarked on the film’s contemporary significance: "Considering the global conflicts today, it’s timely to revisit the vibrant, politically charged atmosphere of the 1960s... Enough time has passed to allow fresh reflection on that era and its relevance to current events."

Filming occurred in Hampstead, London; a residence on South Hill Park was used to represent Germaine Greer’s home—this location previously belonged to director Anthony Minghella. Additionally, All Saint's Road doubled for King's Road during production.

Release delays

In July 2009, director Beeban Kidron departed during post-production citing "creative differences," following earlier exit by her husband and screenwriter Lee Hall. Kidron stated: "I invested all my effort into this project before having to step away. It was deeply painful." Although a limited release with 100 prints was planned for February 2010, it never materialized.

Reactions

Responses from those depicted were mixed.

Feminist writer Germaine Greer publicly disapproved of her portrayal in July 2007, refusing participation and declining to meet Emma Booth, who played her role. Greer criticized the depiction sharply, advising Booth to "Get an honest job." Booth acknowledged portraying Greer was challenging and anticipated such criticism.

In contrast, Louise Ferrier engaged positively with director Kidron and commended attempts at authenticity. Ferrier was initially unfamiliar with Sienna Miller before filming began.

Publisher Felix Dennis cooperated with production and met actor Chris O'Dowd; O'Dowd described Dennis as "an extraordinarily charismatic individual."

Test screening reviews

Early audience feedback appeared online. One attendee noted some stereotypical elements and weaker scenes but overall found the film enjoyable, particularly praising Sienna Miller's natural performance and striking presence. Jandy Stone of The Frame complimented the ensemble cast and suggested there was room for refinement prior to official release.

Matt Robinson highlighted the film’s effective evocation of its period, blending dramatic storytelling with media critique, deeming it both entertaining and informative.

However, Felix Dennis later expressed severe criticism in The Times, branding it "possibly the worst film made in this century" and describing it as "a complete mess," lamenting that such an intriguing story had been mishandled.

See also

• The Trials of Oz, a BBC dramatization focusing on the Oz obscenity trial.