Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs

The original Incel critique and a weirdly underrated film from the beginning of the film careers of both producer George Harrison and stars David Warner and John Hurt (the promise of seeing the two of them young and facing off being worth the watch alone). Bewitchingly atmospheric and clunkily theatrical, shot in a very wintery and distinctly Northern landscape of Oldham, winds dark and barks loudly at stuntedly masculine power-trippers. Tremendously well observed by dramatist Halliwell and as such hauntingly familiar to the many of us still looking. Goes much darker than I was expecting and hits much harder than I was thinking it might.

It is difficult to write about this film without mentioning its theatrical origins even though whilst watching it I was at first doubtful that this had ever have been performed on the stage. Gradually the stage origin becomes apparent but there is initially so much use of physical close-ups and street location action as to not make at all obvious at first. First performed in London's West End in 1965 the play had only modest success but drew a little more attention than had the original version, apparently running some five hours. John Hurt played in the later presentation at the Comedy Theatre and when a film version was muted suggested his pal George Harrison might be approached for funding. This would ultimately result in the setting up of HandMade Films who would go on to produce many a fine British film including Withnail & I (1987) which is often mentioned in the same context as this film, even though it were made some thirteen years later - it was admittedly set in the late 60s. The absurdist origins of the play/film are apparent and Beckett, Ionesco and Genet all come to mind as this swirling nihilist and absurdist drama with homosexual overtones speeds horribly, yet amusingly, out of control. Not an easy watch, being heavy in language with largely unlikeable characters but absorbing and mesmerising all the same with the most sensational central performance from Hurt and able support from the others in particular David Warner as the downtrodden, duffle coated English, rebel without a cause.

This is an interesting film of the stage play. Part Withnail and I, but much darker. It satirizes political movements, yes, but it's also about men. It is quintessentially male to be arrogant and stupid...and dangerous. It makes for a very funny film until...well, watch the film to the end.

Hurt is great. It is fun to see him as a young, active man. The screenplay is well written and tight--a little Tom Stoppard-ish.

I'm glad to have seen it. So compelling, it made me want to write my first IMDB review.