Rattle of a Simple Man

I've seen this film twice over the years on the late night movies and would gladly buy a copy but it doesn't seem to be available on VHS anywhere from anybody - and believe me, I've looked! This is a pity because for a low budget film in black and white, most of which takes place between two people in one room, it succeeds in holding your interest as you really care what happens to the two principals. The movie takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride as you laugh and cry with them through their hopes, anger, fears and dreams. I would rate this as a 10 out of 10.

I think this is an excellent film. It reflects events that most young men experience during their lifetime. A sort of right of passage! Or, it did for me. This film brings back long forgotten memories from a distant past. As, I too come from Manchester!

The acting is brilliant with full marks going to Harry H. Corbett, Diane Cilento and Michael Medwin. I can relate to each of these characters as they each give a very convincing performance for what is in reality a low budget sixties production.

Muriel Box is the director. She was one of Britain's most prolific directors during the 1950/60's. Sadly, this was her last effort as a director. She passed away in 1991.

I love the pathos and the humour this comedy/drama evokes over 96 minutes. I hope you feel the same as I did after watching the film. Especially if like me you were born in the post war era and grew up during the 1960's. A great little movie.

I saw the "The Rattle of A Simple Man" probably in the North Atlantic in December of 1965 and still sit up when I hear or read the name of Diane Cilento. She and the movie made that big an impression on me! I've certainly been a fan of British film ever since.

As a 21 year old soldier coming back from Europe on the troop ship USNS General Maurice Rose, I saw the film sitting on the cold hard floor of one of the ship's spaces. I'm not even sure there was a screen; the film may just have been projected on one of the walls of the compartment, and as the ship rocked and rolled over the waves, so, too, did the film. Besides immediately falling in love with Diane Cilento, I can still remember being amazed that the U.S. military - not exactly a paragon of intellect or sophistication, especially in those years - was actually showing this English film to the troops. After all, I had just spent several years of enduring the Army's favoring the commentary of Paul Harvey on Armed Forces Radio and of reading the Army's self-serving coverage in the European Stars and Stripes newspaper.

There is an atmosphere of Britain transmitted in this film that doesn't even exist in Britain, itself, anymore. I hope you enjoy the film now as much as I did then.

I first saw this film as an impressionable teenager and after the scene where the gorgeous Diane Cilento dances around her bed sitting room she overtook Alexandra Bastedo of The Champions as the most beautiful woman ever.

The plot is simple. Group of Manchester United footy fans go down to London for a big match. The quiet, shy northern oik played by Harry H Corbett, accepts a drunken bet to spend the night with the classy Diane Cilento.

What follows is an amusing comedy dialogue between the experienced worldly prostitute and shy and awkward Corbett as they dance around the issue. Can she entice him to bed? or will he lose his bet and return, ashamed, back to his friends before the coach leaves at midnight?

While this dialogue is going on, the sub plot involves his mates going from pub to pub getting more and more drunk. This is quite amusing also as you warm to the characters as the evening progresses.

If you like old films and gentle comedy then this one is a gem.

I was reminded of this film today in an article from the Guardian newspaper. I saw it at the age of 13 in the local fleapit, now a listed art deco building. I'm pretty sure it came with an X certificate, but I was big for my age and got in to many restricted shows - I'd got into The Birds a few months earlier. I also seem to recall that it was the "B" film and that I rated it far higher than the "A" film. I was blown away.

I only recall snippets now. Percy's petting of a cat. Mum's running to deliver a packed lunch. The rough lads and their baiting. I could empathise with Percy because although I ran with some yobs, I was also studious and had to keep a tight rein on being an outsider.

To my unformed mind, the conversation between Percy and Cyrenne was the love story of the century. I was utterly transfixed. And then (no spoilers) the ending.

I haven't seen it since. Who knows if I'd rate it as highly the second time round? However, it's stayed in my memory all these years, especially the way Corbett transformed himself from his part in Steptoe and Son to this naïve put upon virgin.

If one could shed the baggage of sixty years, I'd say watch it. But I don't think I'd be able to, so the film will remain as a memory of my youth.