A hilarious study in the gentle art of murder.
Directed by: Robert Hamer
Written by: Roy Horniman (novel), John Dighton, Robert Hamer
Starring: Dennis Price as Louis Mazzini, Valerie Hobson as Edith D'Ascoyne, Joan Greenwood as Sibella, and Alec Guinness as The Duke, The Banker, The Parson, The General, The Admiral, young Ascoyne D'Ascoyne, young Henry D'Ascoyne, Lady Agatha D'Ascoyne
Music by: a variety of Classical composers
If you've never seen Alec Guinness as anything but Obi Wan Kenobi, I strongly suggest you start looking at his earlier works. Nowadays, it seems a shame that most know him as the enigmatic proverb-spewing, force wielding Jedi knight, when in actuality, he's a former king of comedy. While he doesn't play the main character in this film, he might as well - considering he plays eight other characters all belonging to the same family and all killed by the main character in hilarious ways.
The premise of this film is very gruesome - a young man with a far reaching claim to a dukedom feels spurned by the noble family he descends from, especially after his mother dies and is refused internment in the family vault. He decides to get revenge and claim the title of the Duke of Chalfont. Eight of his relatives stand in his way, as well as the problem of juggling relationships with two women who want to marry him.
His attitude towards the deaths of his family members is detached and non-chalant - the perfect portrait of a serial killer psychopath. And Price plays Louis perfectly, casually discussing the particulars of poisoning, drowning, shooting, and otherwise knocking off the people in his way. He also manages to fit every role he attempts - whether it's a clergyman or a clerk. And as much as you're disgusted by Louis, you're rooting for him by the end. He's taken advantage of just as much as he takes advantage of others.
The comedy in this movie is undeniable. Louis's attitude provides plenty of humor, as does Sibella's sickeningly sweet antics towards him. And needless to say, Guinness is incredible in his eight different roles, ranging from snobs to rectors to suffragette women. There always seems to be an aura of overdramatic acting pervading the script - but never irritatingly so. The sheer number of one-liners is impressive, and every few minutes Jason and I found ourselves laughing at the antics of either Guinness or Price or Greenwood.
This movie is a selection on both the Time Magazine and the BFI's Top 100 British Films. It has also been ranked as the 25th Greatest Comedy of All Time and the 7th Greatest British Film of all time by the readers of "Total Film" magazine. I highly recommend this early Guinness film and award it four dead relatives out of a possible five (4/5).
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