Recensioni degli utenti

This is a nicely presented version of J. B. Priestley's 1945 play about class distinctions, exploitation, and the nature of communal guilt.

Here is this stately family sitting around the dinner table in 1912. There's the pater familias, Mr. Berling, his starchy wife Sybil, his pretty daughter Shiela, his quietly drunk young son Eric, and the ambitious suitor for Shiela's hand, Gerald Croft. Then the doorbell of the mansion rings and the maids usher in a police inspector named Goole, who has come to make some inquiries about the rather nasty suicide of a poor young lady a a few hours ago. None of the diners have heard of her. But by the time the inspector is finished with his questions, the family is in turmoil and their bonds shredded.

It's a powerful play. One by one, the guests are questioned and it's revealed that each of them had in some serial way contributed to the girl's death. Mr. Berling had fired her for participating in a strike at his factory. Shiela had had her fired from a boutique out of jealousy. Croft, the suitor, had taken up with her and had an affair for some months before ending it, although the girl was in love with him. The weak son Eric had picked her up when she was down and impregnated her before stealing some money and sending her on her way. Mrs. Berling, head of a community organization for poverty stricken ladies in trouble, had turned her away. Each person, without knowing it, and without knowing of the involvement of the others, had contributed to the girl's horrible death.

Inspector Goole leaves, warning them that if people don't take care of each other, there will be fire, blood, and anguish -- an anticipation of the war that was to break out two years later.

The family is baffled. Goole seemed to know everything before asking. His manner was a bit impudent. A phone call to the chief of police reveals that there is no Inspector Goole on the force and the relieved family convince themselves that it was all a hoax and now they can resume their usual personae and treat those of lesser status with the usual disdain. Except for daughter Shiela and guilty son Eric, who accept their responsibilities in the chain of events that led to the death of an attractive and highly principled young lady of no particular means. Then there's another call --

This is pretty well acted. Bernard Hempton as the inspector is the epitome of cool. He never smiles or rambles on but he's perceptive and controls his environment. Perhaps the best performance -- because it's just plan outrageous -- is that of Nigel Davenport as the cigar-smoking elderly father who dominates the family. The contempt in his tone when he speak about the working classes is superlative.

Previously I have seen a professional West End production of this play at the Charing Cross theatre as well as owning a DVD of the celebrated Alistair Sim 1954 filmed version of J.B. Priestley's classic tale of morality.I am not as severe as the other user's comments about "the girl" who has committed suicide by imbibing cleaning fluid.We must all meet people, some of whom may meet tragic ends.Are we therefore responsible for their ultimate demise?

It was a well acted professional TV play and I recognised every actor except those who played the son & daughter.Margaret Tyzack from her days playing in the early 70s Forsyte saga, Nigel Davenport from his portrayal of the Duke of Norfolk in a "Man for All Seasons" (1966) and Simon Ward for his uncanny representation of "The Young Winston" (1971).I rated it 8/10.

A riveting version of the famous socialist J B Priestly morality play by the BBC. It was originally broadcast as a three-part serial in the summer of 1982 but is much more enjoyable if viewed as a 'movie'... and a watchable version is currently available on YouTube as I write this (2018).

Set in 1912 as the build-up to 'The Great War' was in motion, it can be seen politically as a warning of what war will bring and also socially as how a young, spirited and attractive, working-class girl (who we never see) is discarded by the middle classes.

As the doors slowly open and the servants traipse out, we are invited into the world of an upper-middle-class dinner party. Things are going well... there is an engagement to celebrate and the future of better business relations between two competing families.

Capitalism is about to be put on the trail when a mysterious Detective Goole arrives and holds the members of the family up to scrutiny as it emerges that a girl has killed herself by drinking cleaning fluid. Yikes! What a horrible way to go!

The irony of the screenplay may escape some younger viewers but even if you don't 'get' every reference it's still a magnificent and captivating TV play. As each member of the wealthy family is shown to have, in some way, contributed to the demise of the poor girl, the family 'unit' quickly breaks down.

The players are all exceptional and the theatrical delivery makes for an absorbing 90 minutes.