An Inspector Calls

Having seen the original movie and a rather strange stage version starring the late Barry Foster, I had no doubts about the content of this telemovie - but was curious about how this modern version would treat it. Brilliantly cast, it did not disappoint, although it did tend to drag at times. On the whole the suspense was well maintained and it stayed quite close to the original, although the later scenes after the Inspector left the house were new and added little to the overall story. In fact it would have been better without them. This is a story that has to be taken at face value (the mystical part aside) - it would be easy to question the possibility that all the persons gathered together in that household had the impact they are supposed to have had on one young woman. It was written as a morality play, very relevant to its times and even today relevance can be found in many of the disclosures made. It tells us to think before we act and to be less likely to prejudge and to take responsibility for our actions. An interesting story, that makes you think - what more can one ask for?

After watching this movie adaptation of An Inspector Calls, I felt that this remake turned into a great success. At first the characters weren't what I expected, most of them seemed quite simple and bland and thought that the actors weren't suited to to their roles. But as the film progressed my attitude towards the characters changes, Eric and Sheila aren't the spoiled brats I thought they were- they actually care about the death of this young woman. Gerald, I realized has more emotional depth Han I gave him credit for, but Mr and Mrs Birling we're exactly what I thought they'd be like and their attitudes towards Eva didn't really change. As for the Inspector I thought that David Thewlis did a great job being the Inspector and his character was also amazing but what I didn't like about the Inspector was that towards the end of the film, he starts time traveling (Priestly hinted that the Inspector was supernatural) but I started getting very confused and became unsure of if he was there before she died and it was a flash back or he is the reason she is dead... I have no idea. But overall this was an amazing movie and I really enjoyed it.

I loved the entire play. The thought of the play was amazing. I loved how the music blended so perfectly with the feelings of the characters and how the lighting always matched the mood. The producers kept you going with the entire thing and knew when to go to a another scene, which they executed it quite beautifully. The camera angles were great, the over the shoulder angles kept a kind of sense that this person was disgusted with them (mainly the Inspector). Also, the actors were a perfect fit. I adored Finn Cole, he was such a perfect fit to play Eric Birling. He provoked such feeling in the character and he just suited the role perfectly. But, all the actors were a perfect fit for their roles. Overall, thee play was phenomenal.

I went into this with an open mind, as i knew it was a remake. Right from the start i was captivated by the enveloping period atmosphere and way the story weaved its story. The plot was simply superb, exposing the class divide and way that others can be mistreat their fellow man, without any conscious or care for the consequences. The lessons in humanity ring as true today as they did in that period so its still highly relevant and should provoke some internalising. However putting that all to one side the acting was simply top drawer and David Thewliss contribution was truly spellbinding. He was so commanding throughout and more than a match for the wealthy opposition he encountered that night. This was so good that i actually watched it three times back to back, as every scene was so immersive and tense. So if you like good drama you would be hard pressed to beat this and all the more amazing was the fact it was mostly delivered in a drawing room, so that speaks volumes for the way it was acted. So I hope you enjoy this period piece as much as i did

Believing that the original 1954 version of Guy Hamilton was on TV I actually watched the 2015 BBC version of Aisling Walsh. Aisling Walsh is an Irish director who has done much work for TV (in 2012 she also made a "Room at the top" remake for the BBC), but with "Maudie" (2016) she also made a feature film for theatrical release.

I can't compare (as yet) with the original version, but the 2015 version is very well, with good period atmosphere.

"An inspector calls" is based on the play of the same name by J.B. Priestley (1945). Earlier Priestleys novel "Benighted" (1927) had been adapted by James Whale into the movie "The old dark house" (1932). Both novel and play are comments on the English class society.

The story of "An inspector calls" is about the suicide of a working class girl. During an interrogation by the mysterious inspector Goole (being a group interrogation, this gives the play / film a very Agatha Christie like flavor) it turns out that all of the members of a wealthy family have contributed in one way or another to this suicide.

The story has aged very well. I would like to call attention to a couple of things in particular.

In the beginning of the film the father of the wealthy famlily says "It is not important where you start in life, it is important where you finish". The old American dream phrased differently. His own family is the living proof of the fact that it does matter where you start in life.

Inspector Goole is very mysterious. He seems to be omniscient, interrogating to force a confession and not to learn more himself. He makes a very moralistic farewell speech, in which he says there are thousands of people like the poor working class girl in the story. It is obvious that he is not an ordinary police inspector. It is for the spectator to decide who or what he really is.

The members of the family ar all guilty of the suicide of the girl. There guilt is however ethical and not legal. It is disenchanting to see how quickly some members of the family recuperate when they become aware of this distinction.