The Fallen Idol (1948)
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Duration: 95 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom
Directed by: Carol Reed
Stars: Ralph Richardson, Bobby Henrey and Michèle Morgan
IMDb score:
7,6 (10.676)
Releasedate: 30 September 1948
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
The Fallen Idol plot
"The suspense is almost unbearable…"
The young Philippe is an idol of the butler of the house, Baines. When Baines becomes involved in a murder case, the boy tries to deceive the police. This mainly results in even more suspicions against Baines. Over time, Philippe discovers that Baines may not be as he appears after all.
Actors and actresses
Baines
Julie
Mrs. Baines
Phillipe
Inspector Crowe
Detective Ames
Dr. Fenton
Mrs. Patterson
Mrs. Barrow
First Secretary
Reviews & comments
Vinokourov
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- 3143 messages
- 2909 votes
Fine film that is situated in a large stately house and revolves around Philippe, son of an ambassador who is often away (his mother too) and the butler (Ralph Richardson) and his wife, both working in that embassy. Philippe is a boy who secretly hides at the top of the stairs to eavesdrop on the conversations between adults. It all gets even more confusing for him when he has to remember all kinds of secrets of those adults, who have to do with an affair of that butler. Philippe's loyalty is to the butler, because at least he is nice to him, but he still gets caught up in all kinds of lies, which make it all from bad to worse.
The role of the butler is interesting, he also makes a mess of it and unintentionally ends up in an unpleasant situation. I felt sorry for both, because they are both sympathetic in themselves! Well, I'm not going to give too much away, because that's spoiling, but I found the way in which that tricky situation is resolved a bit dull. You see that more often, unfortunately, in this kind of initially very entertaining thrillers. The comparisons with Hitchcock are nevertheless very justified! Four well-deserved stars!
Translated from Dutch · View original
scorsese
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- 13237 messages
- 11128 votes
Good film about a boy who thinks he has witnessed a murder. In itself not really an original story about an extramarital relationship, but because it is told from the perspective of the boy, the film takes on a completely different approach. A strong first half with plenty of tension. In the second half, the credibility of the characters is sometimes compromised.
Translated from Dutch · View original
eRCee
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- 13449 messages
- 1981 votes
A bit flat for a long time, but towards the end it loosens up, both narratively and visually. To start with the latter: Philippe's nocturnal flight (very clever child role by Bobby Henrey!) is beautifully portrayed and is also somewhat reminiscent of The third man. But the best for me is at the end, in a scene where everything can turn out for the better but Philippe insists on telling the 'truth' about it. I was really restless shifting in my chair and almost shouting at the image to shut up. 
If you thematically involve the title, then it becomes even more interesting, because you can ask the question whether Philippe at the end consciously tries to make his former hero pay. Anyway, great movie. But with Graham Greene as screenwriter and Carol Reed as director, you wouldn't expect otherwise.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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