Le dîner d'une riche famille est interrompu par un inspecteur de police qui les informe qu'une jeune fille connue de tous les convives est morte dans des circonstances mystérieuses. Il sembl... Tout lireLe dîner d'une riche famille est interrompu par un inspecteur de police qui les informe qu'une jeune fille connue de tous les convives est morte dans des circonstances mystérieuses. Il semble que l'un d'entre eux pourrait être responsable.Le dîner d'une riche famille est interrompu par un inspecteur de police qui les informe qu'une jeune fille connue de tous les convives est morte dans des circonstances mystérieuses. Il semble que l'un d'entre eux pourrait être responsable.
- Réalisation
- Scénario
- Casting principal
- Small Girl
- (as Frances Gowens)
- Foreman Jones-Collins
- (non crédité)
- Committee Member
- (non crédité)
- Tram Conductor
- (non crédité)
- Joe Meggarty
- (non crédité)
- Woman in pub
- (non crédité)
Avis à la une
My son returned the favour by giving me a DVD version of the film when I expressed a wish to see it, since one sees so few worthy films on TV these days compared to all the modern rubbish shown.There is rather a ghostly denouement to the film and twist which Priestley cleverly writes into the plot.Although Alistair Sim is only on screen for a short time he effortlessly steals your attention.
Basically, a wealthy family in the early part of the 20th century are having a little celebration at home when proceedings are interrupted by a rather mysterious police inspector who says he has come to interrogate them about a young lady who has just died through suicide in an infirmery. When the young lady's name is pronounced, this doesn't ring any bells with those present but - this is where the fun starts and you can just see it coming - the inspector proceeds, via flashbacks, to establish a connection between all present and the unfortunate young lady who has passed on ...... The plot is excellently made, and build up to a final climax with brio. They just don't make films like this any more !
The film has now been available for about 18 months ( October 2007 ) on a DVD in the UK only which while sporting an excellent copy of the film, offers no subtitles or other languages and no interesting extras for the viewer. This is a bit of a shame for a film which, to me at least is to be considered as a small masterpiece of British Cinema. The theme music is also now available on a Francis Chagrin CD.
Adapted from the J.B. Priestley stage play, An Inspector Calls is everything that was great about 50s British Cinema. Simple in structure it may be, but the lack of clogging in any form shines brighter than many a lavish production from this particular decade. The films cause is helped immensely by the quality of the writing, Desmond Davis adding further quality to the already great source provided by the talented Priestley. At first the film leads you to believe that it's going to be a one room interrogation piece, but thru a series of flash backs we are taken out of the room to follow this intriguing story to its quite brilliant finale. There are no histrionics from the actors in this piece, all of them are wonderful because they adhere to the necessity of letting the story be the star. Alastair Sim is perfectly cast as Inspector Poole, a large presence with those highly sympathetic eyes, Sim may be playing the main character, yet he's playing second fiddle to the fleshing out of the Birling family deconstruction, it's a wonderful case where the acting glue is holding it all together.
Director Guy Hamilton does a smashing job of making the film permanently edgy, a sense of unease is palpable throughout, and it's only during the final reel that the heart of the film shows its ace card, and even then, the makers have one more trick up their sleeves. Also worth mentioning is the editing from the sadly uncredited Geoffrey Botterill, so many films containing flash back sequences feel intrusive to the flow of a picture, it isn't here, it's spot on. An Inspector Calls is a wonderful mystery piece that is dotted with moments of unease, but all this would go to waste if the pay off was merely a damp squib, it thankfully isn't, and the likes of Rod Serling and Charles Beaumont were surely nodding in approval.
Highly recommended 9/10.
*Footnote:Alastair Sim is listed on this site as playing Inspector Goole, that is the characters name in the Priestley play, but i can assure everyone that his characters name is definitely Inspector Poole for this film version.
An Inspector Calls is a film adaptation of a JB Priestley play and the film does have a very stagy feel about it. However, once Inspector Poole arrives the film never lets up and I was fully wrapped up in the story. Like any mystery film the less you know about it beforehand the better the experience is likely to be for you. The nature of the narrative had me hooked as I was never really sure which direction the film would take me in and how it was going to end - in other words it kept me guessing. The ending is both surprising and thought-provoking.
Aside from a good narrative, the film also benefits from excellent performances from the cast with Sim arguably being the strongest player. The way he interrogates the family and gets information out of them is also top-notch and very clever.
This is a great film and uses a very simple premise and uses it well and to good effect. The running time of 80 minutes keeps everything tight and ensures that this film never outstays his welcome.
Le saviez-vous
- AnecdotesDuring the first scene at the dinner table, Eric Birling says "Steady, the Buffs". This phrase means "stay calm, be careful, and persevere", and is associated with the 3rd Regiment of Foot (The East Kent Regiment), whose nickname was 'The Buffs'. The phrase is thought to have originated when the Regiment was stationed in Malta in 1858, and was popularised in Rudyard Kipling's novel, "Soldiers Three". 'Buffs' refers the dull yellow colour of the facings worn by the regiment, starting in the 18th Century.
- GaffesDespite the film/story being set in 1912 England, the ladies dresses feature zip fasteners, but the modern zipper was not invented for use in clothing until 1913.
- Citations
Inspector Goole: We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night
- ConnexionsReferenced in Inspecteur Morse: Second Time Around (1991)
Meilleurs choix
- How long is An Inspector Calls?Alimenté par Alexa
Détails
- Date de sortie
- Pays d’origine
- Langue
- Aussi connu sous le nom de
- An Inspector Calls
- Lieux de tournage
- Sociétés de production
- Voir plus de crédits d'entreprise sur IMDbPro
Box-office
- Montant brut mondial
- 6 331 372 $US
- Durée1 heure 20 minutes
- Couleur
- Rapport de forme
- 1.37 : 1