The Scapegoat
- 2012
- Tous publics
- 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
Set in 1952, as England prepares for the coronation, this movie tells the story of two very different men who have one thing in common - a face.Set in 1952, as England prepares for the coronation, this movie tells the story of two very different men who have one thing in common - a face.Set in 1952, as England prepares for the coronation, this movie tells the story of two very different men who have one thing in common - a face.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Greg Bennett
- Factory Worker
- (uncredited)
Martin Poole
- The Gateman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Interesting plot twists and an unusual storyline make this a good, entertaining film set in the backdrop or 50's Britain. A far cry from gun toting car chase disaster films.
#1 Look at the other reviews here and take them at face value ; this is a good movie that's worth watching. Although the premise and plot may seem implausible the movie draws you in and the acting, story (Daphne Du Maurier ) and production values make this a worthy film. There is real tenderness shown between the characters and and callousness by the villain. Good story and film making, no gimmicks other than the original story (novel).
I liked this "Scapegoat" from 2012 better than the 1959 version, though they are both good. This one is warmer and I love the message the maid gives John at the end.
Set in England of 1952 at the time of the Coronation (changed from France) John and Johnny (Matthew Rhys) meet by accident and are both shocked - they look exactly alike. John has been let go from his teaching position and is on a walking tour; Johnny comes from big money and is dreading going home. John gets drunk and when he wakes up in the morning, all his things are gone and in their place are all of Johnny's things. A chauffeur arrives to pick him up and John reluctantly goes along. When he gets to this huge estate, he tries to tell the various people in the house that he's not Johnny, but no one listens. So he becomes Johnny.
John learns a few things about Johnny. He has a wife (Alice Ewing-Orr) and a child (Eloise Webb). He's sleeping with his sister-in-law (Jodhi May) and a woman in the village (Sylvie Testud); his sister (Sheridan Smith) loathes him; his mother (Eileen Atkins) is a morphine addict and he is to have brought her more; and his brother (Andrew Scott) is in his shadow. And he has been away to settle a contract dispute with their foundry's biggest client.
John, however, being much more sensitive and sober than Johnny, realizes something else: This is a wonderful family that, like the family's business, is in desperate need of some love and attention. Unfortunately, when Johnny returns under cover of darkness for his own nefarious reasons, he doesn't like it when he realizes that John has completely taken over and decides to re-enter the family and take care of business.
Wonderful story, well acted by all involved, particularly Matthew Rhys in the dual role as the gentle John and the aggressive Johnny, who is only out for himself. At the end, his mother's nursemaid (Phoebe Nichols) has some words of wisdom. I love the ending.
Very entertaining. Don't dwell on how unrealistic it is. Lots of things are. Enjoy it for what it is.
Set in England of 1952 at the time of the Coronation (changed from France) John and Johnny (Matthew Rhys) meet by accident and are both shocked - they look exactly alike. John has been let go from his teaching position and is on a walking tour; Johnny comes from big money and is dreading going home. John gets drunk and when he wakes up in the morning, all his things are gone and in their place are all of Johnny's things. A chauffeur arrives to pick him up and John reluctantly goes along. When he gets to this huge estate, he tries to tell the various people in the house that he's not Johnny, but no one listens. So he becomes Johnny.
John learns a few things about Johnny. He has a wife (Alice Ewing-Orr) and a child (Eloise Webb). He's sleeping with his sister-in-law (Jodhi May) and a woman in the village (Sylvie Testud); his sister (Sheridan Smith) loathes him; his mother (Eileen Atkins) is a morphine addict and he is to have brought her more; and his brother (Andrew Scott) is in his shadow. And he has been away to settle a contract dispute with their foundry's biggest client.
John, however, being much more sensitive and sober than Johnny, realizes something else: This is a wonderful family that, like the family's business, is in desperate need of some love and attention. Unfortunately, when Johnny returns under cover of darkness for his own nefarious reasons, he doesn't like it when he realizes that John has completely taken over and decides to re-enter the family and take care of business.
Wonderful story, well acted by all involved, particularly Matthew Rhys in the dual role as the gentle John and the aggressive Johnny, who is only out for himself. At the end, his mother's nursemaid (Phoebe Nichols) has some words of wisdom. I love the ending.
Very entertaining. Don't dwell on how unrealistic it is. Lots of things are. Enjoy it for what it is.
Ok; so it's not a likely scenario, but it's an entertaining movie with lots of twists, turns and tension
What a terrific adaptation. Beautifully played by the ensemble cast, in particular by the lead. This film entertains while providing plenty to think about. It's a little bit black and white, of course, with one character apparently wholly good, and the other apparently wholly bad. But the setup works and you get carried along with the relationships and the possibility of change. The direction is perfect, in particular in the way that it convinces the viewer to go along with the deceit of the main character finding no opportunity to get out of the situation until he starts to feel some affinity with his new 'family'. It's some trick to convince the viewer to go along with that. But it works and you can see him getting drawn in in ways that feel plausible. A thoroughly enjoyable film of a great story.
Did you know
- TriviaThis new version of Daphne Du Maurier's famous novel (published in 1957) changes the setting from France to England, anglicizes several character names and backdates the story by several years to the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
- GoofsInstead of a period handrail, there is a red rope which is used by visitors to Knebworth House in the modern day.
- ConnectionsFeatured in La noche de...: Doble vida (2017)
- How long is The Scapegoat?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 48 minutes
- Color
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