The Final Test

An American Senator arrives in England to hear people talking of England collapsing and all the newspaper headlines talking of failure and 'being finished'. Concerned for this small island nation he looks for some optimism but finds from a taxi driver that it is all about the test match between England and Australia and not the country itself. Interested he goes along to watch the final days of the test match and joins the throngs there to see the great Sam Palmer plays the final overs of an illustrious career. However Sam is a bit distracted by his desire for his poet son Reggie to be in the crowd to watch him end his career, especially since Reggie is no real fan of cricket and has other things he wants to do – namely meeting the famous playwright and poet Alexander Whitehead.

Listed on IMDb as a 'comedy', I must admit that the words of one character rang true with me when she said of a TV play 'I thought you said this was a comedy – well it probably gets more comedy later on'. However I quickly realized that the listing on this site was wrong and that this is not in any shape a comedy, even if it has vaguely amusing moments in it; rather it is a drama about a father and son relationship against the backdrop of cricket. The potential was there for a well-written piece with a good script delivering good characters with hurts, longings and differences between them, but it really doesn't get anywhere near doing that. If I told you that Sam is slightly stern and repressed about his son's disinterest in the sport that he loves then I have probably done a better job at informing you of their character than the script actually does during the whole 90 minutes. Aside from the obvious scenes of vague tension and argument the film never really does anything to actually get to the core of their relationship.

On top of this we also have some other issues put in as well such as those around the barmaid Cora and the other stuff around Whitehead; neither of these really hit the mark either and just give the film a rather aimless feel. With a lack of teeth to any part of the film, a few laughs could have done the world of good but it doesn't really have any of them either, with only some amusing aspects that don't really do anything of any merit. This is not to say it is bad, just distinctly average. As a sports film it is a non-event with very little actual cricket 'action' to speak of – but I imagine many viewers will enjoy the very English conclusion to Sam's career, typically downbeat and warming.

The cast is OK but they don't have a great deal to work with. Warner is stiff and looks like he has emotions just below his surface but the script gives him no help with this at all and his efforts are wasted with it. Jackson is an annoying little twerp and he does nothing to really make me interested in him or his character in the least. Bruce doesn't have a clue what she is supposed to be doing and it shows. Allen is OK, as are Maxted and a few others in support roles. Given a colourful character, Morley brings some much needed life to the film and steals all his scenes.

Overall this is an average film that is more notable for its missed opportunities rather than what it actually does well. Despite the nicely downbeat conclusion the film is pretty average and unmemorable, failing to deliver characters, a script or any real sense of emotional involvement.

Up until the last few years, I've only ever seen Jack Warner in 'Dixon of Dock Green' and a few of his higher-profile films such as 'The Blue Lamp' etc. However, since the advent of the excellent TPTV channel, several of his films have been given a good airing. 'Jigsaw' and 'Emergency Call' spring to mind as showcases for his fine acting abilities. The Final Innings is a wonderful film full of good, solid British character actors working wonders with a fairly thin story. The short scene of Sam's final innings and his exit from the pitch to rousing cheers from the crowd and even the opposing side is heart-warming indeed. I don't know much about Cricket, but then the film is barely about cricket at all, more about making allowances, moving on and finding the next chapter in life, which in Sam's case is with the pretty Cora. See this film if you get a chance, especially if you like old-fashioned, homely drama about real people.

This starts with quite an enjoyable assessment of this most English of games (it's not a sport, you know) with the rules and the prospect of playing for five days without a result explained to a visiting and bemused American senator (Stanley Maxted). Meantime, with his dad "Sam" (Jack Warner) about to make his last appearance for England in that very test match, his young son "Reggie" (Ray Jackson) faces a bit of a quandary. He is expected to be at the ground to watch this momentous moment, but he is also determined to finish his poem that he wants to send to acclaimed playwright "Whitehead" (Robert Morley). Next thing, he's missed the match but luckily his father has yet to make his appearance, so there's some breathing room next day. Wait, no! He's been invited by his idol to his rural home to present his latest work. He can't do both, and so coming clean with his father - and borrowing the train fare - he sets off to the countryside. Luckily, this writer is a typically eccentric Englishman who loves his cricket, but can they make it there in time? It's based on Terence Rattigan's short play that I felt rather potently illustrated not just that the choices made by a new generation might not always impress their parents, but also it rather poignantly demonstrates the temporariness of success on the field of play. Noisily acclaimed til you too are replaced as you once did that to another, whilst the appreciative crowd applaud but are eager to transfer that loyalty to your successor. Warner plays the role sparingly and he rather engagingly epitomises this widowed character at a crossroads in his life that will see his son start to make his own decisions whilst maybe local barmaid "Cora" (Brenda Bruce) can start a new chapter with him? Morley is at his lively best and there's also an enjoyable role for Adrianne Allen as the auntie trying to keep things peaceable whilst all her fine china becomes tomorrow's jigsaw puzzles. The production is basic but there's quite a fun scene towards the end with Morley, Jackson, a car and some backdrop filming to top off an entertainingly simple story of family and opportunity.

Sam Palmer (Jack Warner) is playing his last test for England's cricket team and his form has been below average recently. Then, as now, the Aussies are pouring on the agony for England and Sam desperately wants to sign off on a high note.

This is a gentle comedy with a touch of drama. If you want to see how comedy works (and you understand cricket) watch the first 5 minutes. Senator Stanley Maxted arrives in England and makes his way to the Oval where he poses a few questions to deadpan Richard Wattis. The questions are standard cricketing enquiries (you mean they play for 5 days and it might still be a draw?) which could be cheesy but the delivery and Wattis' "matter of fact" responses make you laugh.

Sam's cricketing prowess does not extend to his son who is more interested in poetry and this forms the backbone of the movie – does the son care enough about dad to watch his final innings? At the same time, does dad care enough about his son to appreciate his interests.

Sam not only gives the umpire a lift to the ground but entertains him for dinner the night before (they wouldn't allow it these days you know). Sam also pops down to the local for a drink around closing time during the middle of the game - but he only drinks lemonade so that's alright then. Robert Morley (wearing a rather fetching jump suit) spices up the last third of the film as a vain, muddled poet.

This is a magnificent film and all the better for this being such a surprise. There's a quiet dread when you watch any film that claims to be about sport, especially when so many of its stars are credited to appear. Wooden and contrived come to mind. This throws all such stereotypes out of the window and is a wonderful and thoughtful classic.

There is humour and a great deal of emotion, there is also a splendid performance from Jack Warner who really surprised me with his sensitive portrayal of a proud cricketer and father. Robert Morley hams it up as usual and there is the delight of a Richard Wattis cameo to add icing to this wonderful cake.

All in all, this is a joy to watch; intelligent and witty thanks to Terrance Rattigan's sharp script. I love cricket, but those that know nothing of it will still get a great deal of pleasure from this cracking film.