JM Barrie's 1902 play is still entertaining and insightful nearly twelve decades later and really well worth checking out if you haven't already. The cast is a talented one, with Kenneth More deservedly being the most well known name. Have a lot more of Lewis Gilbert's work to see but much of what has already been seen has shown him to be a more than competent director and deserving of more credit, 'Reach for the Sky' and 'Educating Rita' being two examples.
The same can be said for the undervalued and not seen enough 'The Admirable Crichton'. While it is not perfect and may disappoint those that prefer adaptations to be one hundred percent faithful (with Tweeney's expanded role sacrificing some of what made the play so bold in its day), it is a very good film on its own terms (which is a fairer way to judge in my view) with so many good things. Good to see it get a lot of appreciation here.
Will agree that the social status jump does happen too fast and comes out of nowhere to jarring effect, the one thing that required some disbelief suspension.
Also that the ending is on the flat side, too quick and too pat.
So much is great however about 'The Admirable Crichton'. More is perfectly cast, he has such a genial charm about him and was clearly enjoying himself. Even better is Cecil Parker, who in my mind steals the film and some of the best lines come from him, great prissy authority and hilarious comic timing. Sally Ann Howes and Diane Cilento are radiant in appearance and personality. Gilbert directs with class and slickness throughout, his high appreciation for More as an actor is evident in how well he directs him in particular. The cast interact with each other beautifully.
Furthermore, 'The Admirable Crichton' looks great. Loved the sumptuous colour photography and glossy but not too much so art direction. The music is suitably elegant and fits the tone of the story well. The script has great whimsical charm, great insight in social statuses and classes and many lines that induce genuine laughter. The pace is lively. The story is slight but never dull, charmingly quaint, easy to follow and never too silly (not easy to do considering the type of story). It is also to me one of not many stage play to film adaptations from this period to not feel stage-bound or where stage origins are betrayed, and the material is loyally adapted with enough freshness to avoid it from dating.
Overall, very good and undervalued. 8/10.
