A tense drama from Carol Reed, starring James Mason in his best onscreen role, and the most dazzling black and white photography. A film that is highly rated by the likes of great directors Roman Polanski and Bruce Beresford.
Definitely a Great "Sleeper film" with great plot, acting, cinematography and interesting and some unusual scenes---such as Mason's hallucinating faces into the spilt beer bubbles!! Also watch Johnny Depp in Dead Man----also about a man who is struggling while slowly bleeding to death---set in the old US west---also B & W. Yes, British Film Noir has the positive qualities you attribute!!
I remember seeing this on the late movies while babysitting in the 60s, and it was absolutely rivetting. James Mason is incredible as the central character, and the nonstop action leads to a powerful ending. Tragic meditation on how no one is clean in a civil war, and what happens to the wounded deer abandoned by the herd. Probably not so popular because the message is so dark.
This film is amazing. I am very impressed by British films from the 30s and 40s. I noticed that of the films I really love that many are written by R.C. Sheriff. He wrote this one, The Invisible Man, Quartet, The Four Feathers, No Highway in the Sky. Of the directors, I'm impressed by Michael Powell, James Whale, the young Alfred Hitchcock. Really liked Robert Newton. You can see a resemblance there with him and Keith Moon of The Who. Moon was just like Newton.
I agree, but I'd include a number of films from the 50's and into the early 60s too. I love An Inspector Calls from 1954, Look back in Anger (1959), Friday night and Saturday Morning (1960), This Sporting Life (1963)... all brilliant
Oh this was superb, my mother took me to see this at the Regal in Caversham. I was around nine at the time & it left a permanent impression on me, very similar to 'Brighton Rock' & I still find this highly emotional even today. Whereas 'Pinky' in the 'Rock' came through as a very dislikeable character, McQueen had a charm about him & although he worked for the 'Organization' as it was termed I badly wanted a sympathetic ending for him. I instantly took a dislike to those attempting to apprehend him & detest the Establishment to this very day.
Thanks for sharing that story James. It's amazing how films can take us away so we lose track of time, but also that they can take us back to a time and place when they first moved us. I feel the same way about McQueen's plight, but feel that the ending that they went with was the right choice for the story
I'm about to watch it for the second time, I enjoyed it the first time but I love to watch film Noir movies over and over again! I did love the cinematography and being a James Mason fan I tend to agree with you on this being his best film ...another fav of mine is Man Between...thank u so much for your interesting comments!
I think the mark of a great film is one you can rewatch, enjoy again and even pick up things you missed the first time. I'm sure you'll love it just as much the second time around. I haven't seen Man Between but I'll check it out... thanks
