The Fallen Idol (film)
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| The Fallen Idol | |
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 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Carol Reed |
| Produced by | Carol Reed Philip Brandon (associate) |
| Screenplay by | WIlliam Templeton Lesley Storm |
| Based on | "The Basement Room" by Graham Greene |
| Starring | Ralph Richardson Bobby Henrey Michèle Morgan Denis O'Dea |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
| Cinematography | Georges Périnal |
| Editing by | Oswald Hafenrichter |
| Studio | London Film Productions |
| Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation (UK) Selznick Releasing Organization (USA) |
| Release date(s) | 30 September 1948 (UK) 15 November 1949 (NYC) 1954 (USA, re-release) |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £215,823 (UK)[1] |
The Fallen Idol (also known as The Lost Illusion) is a 1948 film directed by Carol Reed and based on the short story "The Basement Room", by Graham Greene. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Direction and Best Adapted Screenplay, and won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.
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Plot [edit]
The film is told through the naive eyes of a diplomat's young son, Phillipe, who idolises his father's butler, Baines. Baines has invented a heroic persona to keep the boy entertained, and often tells him stories of his exotic and daring adventures in Africa and elsewhere, stories such as putting down a native uprising single-handed, killing a man in self-defense, and so on.
In reality, the butler has never been to Africa and is stuck in a loveless marriage, while dreaming of happiness with a younger woman (whom he tells Phillipe is his niece after the boy finds them together). After Baines has an argument with his jealous wife, she accidentally falls from a landing to her death. However, Phillipe believes that he has seen Baines murder her. The boy desperately and clumsily attempts to protect his hero when the police investigate, but his efforts only lead Baines deeper into trouble.
Cast [edit]
- Ralph Richardson as Baines
- Michèle Morgan as Julie
- Sonia Dresdel as Mrs. Baines
- Bobby Henrey as Phillipe
- Denis O'Dea as Inspector Crowe
- Jack Hawkins as Detective Ames
- Walter Fitzgerald as Dr. Fenton
- Dandy Nichols as Mrs. Patterson
- Joan Young as Mrs. Barrow
- Karel Stepanek as First Secretary
- Gerard Heinz as Ambassador
- Torin Thatcher as Police Officer
- James Hayter as Perry
- Geoffrey Keen as Detective Davis
- Bernard Lee as Detective Hart
- John Ruddock as Dr. Wilson
- Hay Petrie as Clock Winder
- Dora Bryan as Rose
- George Woodbridge as Police Sergeant
Reception [edit]
The film was one of the most popular movies at the British box office in 1948.[2]
References [edit]
- ^ Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p486
- ^ "THE STARRY WAY.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954) (Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia). 8 January 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- The Great British Films, pp 125–127, Jerry Vermilye, 1978, Citadel Press, ISBN 0-8065-0661-X
- A Film Star in Belgrave Square, a book about the making of the film by Mrs. Robert Henrey, mother of Bobby Henrey.
External links [edit]
- The Fallen Idol at the Internet Movie Database
- The Fallen Idol at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Fallen Idol at Metacritic
- The Fallen Idol at AllRovi
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