Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is an exceptionally dedicated, overachieving London-based police officer whose arrest record is so high it makes the rest of the Metropolitan Police Force look bad. The other coppers all hate him.
To resolve this public-relations embarrassment, his superiors forcibly reassign and “promote” him to the sleepy (fictional) village of Sandford in Gloucestershire.
Sandford is famously crime-free and a perennial winner of the coveted “Village of the Year” award.
Angel is partnered with Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), a well-meaning but childish and incredibly dim-witted local constable who is overweight and utterly obsessed with American action cinema.
Danny’s jolly lovable old dad, Inspector Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent), is the head of the Sandford police, commanding – amongst others – highly sceptical, mocking detectives DS Andy Wainwright (Paddy Considine) and DC Andy Cartwright (Rafe Spall) – collectively known as “the Andys”, PC Doris Thatcher (Olivia Colman), the crude double-entendre-loving female officer, and the twin station-bound custody sergeants (both played by Bill Bailey).
While Nicholas’s colleagues spend their time chasing escaped swans and treating minor infractions with apathy, Angel grows suspicious when a series of gruesome, horrific “accidents” begin decapitating and blowing up prominent villagers.
Despite the local Neighbourhood Watch Alliance (NWA) insisting these are just tragic mishaps, Angel realises a highly organised conspiracy is afoot.
His prime suspect is the sinister manager of the local Somerfield supermarket, Simon Skinner (Timothy Dalton).
Every time Angel uncovers a lead, the suspect is killed before they can talk, leaving him with no concrete evidence.
It is eventually revealed that the crimes are indeed part of a massive conspiracy orchestrated by the NWA, led by Inspector Butterman and Simon Skinner. The NWA has been systematically murdering anyone who threatens Sandford’s chances of winning the “Village of the Year” title.
The film culminates in a massive shoot-out that moves from the village square, through the supermarket aisles, and into a miniature model village.
The film was a massive box-office hit, grossing over $80 million worldwide.
Sgt Nicholas Angel
Simon Pegg PC Danny Butterman
Nick Frost Inspector Frank Butterman
Jim Broadbent PC Bob Walker
Karl Johnson PC Doris Thatcher
Olivia Colman DS Andy Wainwright
Paddy Considine DC Andy Cartwright
Rafe Spall Sergeant Turner
Bill Bailey Simon Skinner
Timothy Dalton Bob
Joe Cornish Dave
Chris Waitt Bernard Cooper
Eric Mason Joyce Cooper
Billie Whitelaw Roy Porter
Peter Wight Mary Porter
Julia Deakin Rev. Philip Shooter
Paul Freeman Greg Prosser
Trevor Nichols Sheree Prosser
Elizabeth Elvin Dr Robin Hatcher
Stuart Wilson Amanda Paver
Lorraine Hilton Sergeant Tony Fisher
Kevin Eldon Tom Weaver
Edward Woodward Living Statue
Graham Low Annette Roper
Patricia Franklin Leslie Tiller
Anne Reid James Reaper
Kenneth Cranham Tim Messenger
Adam Buxton Peter Ian Staker
Stephen Merchant Mr Treacher
Tim Barlow Peter Cocker
Ben McKay Michael Armstrong
Rory McCann Tina
Alice Lowe George Merchant
Ron Cook Martin Blower
David Threlfall Eve Draper
Lucy Punch Arthur Webley
David Bradley Mrs Reaper
Maria Charles Aaron A. Aaronson
Alexander King Met Sergeant
Martin Freeman Met Chief Inspector
Bill Nighy ‘Not’ Janine
Robert Popper
Director
Edgar Wright
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Angel is partnered with Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), a well-meaning but childish and incredibly dim-witted local constable who is overweight and utterly obsessed with American action cinema.
His prime suspect is the sinister manager of the local Somerfield supermarket, Simon Skinner (Timothy Dalton).
