The Fallen Idol (film)
| The Fallen Idol | |
|---|---|
| File:TheFallenIdolposter.jpg | |
| Directed by | Carol Reed |
| Written by | Graham Greene (screenplay & story) additional dialogue: Lesley Storm William Templeton |
| Produced by | Carol Reed Philip Brandon (associate producer) |
| Starring | Ralph Richardson Bobby Henrey Michèle Morgan Denis O'Dea |
| Cinematography | Georges Périnal |
| Edited by | Oswald Hafenrichter |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
| Distributed by | London Films |
Release dates |  30 September, 1948 15 November, 1949 (NYC only) |
Running time | 95 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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.
Plot
The film is told through the naive eyes of a diplomat's young son, Phillipe, who idolises his best friend, the diplomat's butler Baines. Baines has constructed a heroic persona, full of exotic adventures, that fascinates the boy. In reality, the servant is stuck in a loveless marriage, while dreaming of happiness with a younger woman (whom he describes to Phillipe as his niece). After Baines has an argument with his jealous wife, she falls from a landing to her death. Although her fall was in fact an accident, Phillipe believes that he has seen Baines deliberately murder her, and the boy's attempts to protect Baines when the police investigate almost lead to the butler's arrest.
Cast
- Ralph Richardson (Baines)
- Michèle Morgan (Julie)
- Sonia Dresdel (Mrs. Baines)
- Bobby Henrey (Phillipe)
- Denis O'Dea (Inspector Crowe)
- Jack Hawkins (Detective Ames)
- Walter Fitzgerald (Dr. Fenton)
- Dandy Nichols (Mrs. Patterson)
- Joan Young (Mrs. Barrow)
- Karel Stepanek (First Secretary)
- Gerard Heinz (Ambassador)
- Torin Thatcher (Police Officer)
- James Hayter (Perry)
- Geoffrey Keen (Detective Davis)
- Bernard Lee (Detective Hart)
References
- The Great British Films, pp 125–127, Jerry Vermilye, 1978, Citadel Press, ISBN 080650661X
- A Film Star in Belgrave Square, a book about the making of the film by Mrs. Robert Henrey, mother of Bobby Henrey.