For me, this rates as one of the best of the Ealing comedies. Not
only does it have a sharp and funny script; assured direction from
Mackendrick; Alec Guinness on top form; as well as a great supporting
cast; but it also throws the whole of capitalism into question. At
heart its a deeply cynical film, but Mackendrick makes sure that it
doesn't feel that way. It remains above all a comedy, but one with
bite.
Highly recommended.
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This movie deserved a sequel. I'd love to see more of Sidney Stratton.
I agree totally. I actually preferred this film to Kind Hearts and Coronets. Thought the plot was much stronger and the film better paced with some great performances. Also found the characters much easier to get into. Maybe because they don't keep getting killed...
shareyeah i have to agree this film really impressed me i wasnt expecting much because i didnt really enjoy kind hearts and coronets
Of the Ealing Comedies I've seen (THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT, THE LAVENDER HILL MOB, KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS, THE LADYKILLERS) this is probably my favorite. Absolutely wonderful movie; I'd rank it right next to KIND HEARTS and LAVENDER HILL. (I didn't like LADYKILLERS for some reason; I think I need to watch it again, "rediscover" it, so to speak.)
shareYes, you do! I loved 'The Ladykillers', one of my all time favourite films. Although Id probably agree that 'The Man in the White Suit' is the better film. Its almost perfect, excellently written, performed and directed. I think the thing that most suprised me though was simply how beautiful the film looked. There was something really wrenching in that last scene of the crowd, with Stratton just standing there as his creation falls apart. Its well shot and Guiness manages to look entirely heart broken.
shareOh, they're all great. I love my collection of Alec Guinness films!
"The Beamer Xperience: 9 feet wide home cinema bliss."
Well, Ealing to me is like a smorgasbord. All those goodies, side by side, they all look good, and they all have their points.
I have now 17 of their films, boughten and taped, and I wish there were more in print. I understand Studio Canal owns the rights to all of Ealings films, and I hope they will come out with more. To the best of my knowledge, the following are on DVD:
The Man in the White Suit
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Ladykillers
Lavender Hill Mob
The Maggie
Whiskey Galore
Titfield Thunderbolt
A Run for Your Money
The Ship That Died of Shame
The Cruel Sea
Passport to Pimlico
Went the Day Well?
That's only 12 out of 95.
Please, sir, may I have some more?
There's also
Champagne Charlie
It Always Rains on a Sunday
The Magnet
Dead of Night
Scott of the Antarctic
Nicholas Nickleby
Went The Day Well
Hue and Cry
ClarkF1
The premise is funny & inspired but it seems dated today and far too cute and cuddly for it's own good. And what happened with the ending? Ealing comedies almost always have a clever ending but on this one they obvioulsy couldn't think of one.
shareI don't understand what you mean by 'what happened with the ending'...it was perfect!
SPOILER*********SPOILER************SPOILER (clearly our hero had discovered what he'd done wrong...a way to keep his creation from being unstable...and intended to get back into a lab and do things right this time. Proving that the motivation to create is stronger than the fear of the mob.
Fantastic analysis when I uncovered your Spoiler! ... it has to be stronger than the fear of the mob, and Stratton is definitely my "hero" of the piece, although some have argued and analysed the film as the opposite.
Exceptional film in every way.
A very thought provoking film which still holds relevance. Though I thought it was unfair in the closing narration to demonise Sidney's attempt at progress.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
Shouldn’t Sidney’s ideas be thoroughly demonised? Doesn’t he pursue scientific breakthroughs regardless of the human consequences. Isn't he not really interested in his fellow humans at all, only in his ideas? Doesn't the fact that he’s sweet and innocent rather than a slavering monster make him if anything more dangerous?
At the time the film was made, Pandora's Box had just released its worst evil to date. Nuclear scientists had achieved the means of wiping out the whole human race.