Rattle of a Simple Man

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.

Saw this movie in 1967 or 1968 while deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS Ranger. When this movie arrived, all thought it was a "clunker." Turned out to be what we called "a real sleeper." Wonderful tale of turning the tables on a bunch of people who want to make a fool of someone, totally at the victims expense, and fail miserably, and they then become victims of their own stupidity. British humor woven splendidly into all the plots. Would love to acquire a copy.

Difficult to believe that in the era of the British new wave that they were making films as clichéd and patronising as this,not to say generally unfunny.It is clear that Percy is a close relative to Harold with the sole exception of the fact that he is hen pecked by his mother rather than scolded by his father.The characters are all clichés,P_ercy the virgin meeting up with the tart with a heart of gold.The only dark lining being the hint at incest.There has been an attempt to open out the play,the trouble is that sooner or later we come back to the bedroom and have to put up with the antics of Percy.No wonder the British cinema was in such decline if this is the sort of film that they were making.

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.