A FILM inspired by the notorious Bullingdon Club reflects real life at Oxford University no more than Morse reflects city crime rates, it has been claimed.

The Riot Club, starring Max Irons, tells the story of an exclusive university drinking society.

Scenes were shot in Oxford, London and Winchester, with Pinewood Studios providing the set for a fictional Oxfordshire pub where a large part of the movie takes place.

The antics of Riot Club members mirror those of the Bullingdon society, whose former members include Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson, the former Henley MP.

Oxford University spokesman Stephen Rouse said: “The Riot Club is a fictional entertainment and we are confident that filmgoers will see it as such.

“We are sure they will realise it no more reflects real student life at Oxford any more than Morse and Lewis reflect the city’s crime rate.”

In the film, Max Irons plays Miles, a new member of the Riot Club, who joins at the same time as Alistair, played by Hunger Games actor Sam Claflin.

Club members gather at a village pub for a night that promises a 10-bird roast, unlimited alcohol, and unbridled debauchery.

Alistair and Miles find themselves pitched against one another as they battle to win the approval of the club and as the drink flows, the evening spirals into drunken mayhem.

Mr Irons, son of Oxfordshire movie actor Jeremy Irons, said: “When I first read the script I didn’t want to do it because I found some of the subject matter so unpleasant. But that’s the great thing about this film – you’re lulled into a false sense of security, you’re charmed by people in exactly the same way Miles is.”

The scenes bring back memories of a real-life incident a decade ago, when members of the Bullingdon Club caused damage at a pub in Fyfield, near Kingston Bagpuize.

They booked a table in the 15th century White Hart and then started a drunken rampage before the police were called.

Ian Rogers, the pub landlord at the time, was horrified when club members began to smash glasses and wine bottles, attack each other and throw food at the oak-beamed walls.

Following the debauchery, the club members paid the £596 bill in cash and offered to pay for the damage, before university proctors pledged to investigate.

The row disturbed other diners including 30 members of Abingdon’s MG Car Club.

The White Hart in Main Road, Fyfield, is now run as a gastro pub by Kay and Mark Chandler.

Mrs Chandler said: “We took over in 2005 after the incident took place so we can’t comment.”

Director Lone Scherfig said: “The secret societies of Oxford are magnetic.

“You want to know how someone this privileged handles their responsibility and what they’d have in common with any other group.”

Other past members of the Bullingdon Club have included the late political diarist Alan Clark.

It is understood the Bullingdon Club meets twice a year – once for an annual dinner and once for a point-to-point race.

Universal Pictures spokesman Lucy Kent said the Vue and Odeon chains in Oxford will screen the film, based on the Laura Wade play Posh, following its UK release on Friday.

Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.