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The Man in the White Suit (1951)

Comedy | 85 minutes
3,44 126 votes

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Duration: 85 minuten

Country: United Kingdom

Directed by: Alexander Mackendrick

Stars: Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood and Cecil Parker

IMDb score: 7,2 (11.553)

Releasedate: 7 August 1951

The Man in the White Suit plot

"Guinness is Back...Working Wonders With Wile, Whimsey and Wit!"

In this satire about the functioning of the consumer society, the unworldly but genius inventor Sidney Stratton (Guinness) devotes his life to the search for an indestructible, dirt-resistant synthetic fibre. Only when he finally succeeds does it become clear how other-worldly he is: his invention turns the established order upside down and is not in the least received with cheers.

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Guest

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avatar van T.O.

T.O.

  • 2413 messages
  • 2790 votes

Fun and intelligent film, with an original theme that is always relevant: think of the problems surrounding 'disruptive start-ups' such as Uber.

The first half gets off to a somewhat slow start, with some scenes that are sometimes too bland, but the second half is delivered very tightly and effectively, as I was used to from Ealing Studios in The Lavender Hill Mob.

I have seen the young Guinness more often lately and it really is a comic revelation for me. His dry appearance and absent-minded face are quite different from the more serious image of his later career.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Roger Thornhill

Roger Thornhill

  • 6011 messages
  • 2445 votes

Classic Ealing comedy with Guinness as a somewhat unworldly anti-hero around whom the emotional outbursts of labor and capital pile up. The many big and small jokes prevent me from empathizing too much with the situation, and that's a good thing, because the way everyone chases Sidney at the end actually reminds me quite a bit of a "lynch mob". The last minutes, with first Bertha and Daphne who are the only ones who sympathize with Sidney and then the ironic last shot in which he sees the light, bring a nice quiet end to all the excitement. The highlight for me is the performance of Ernest Thesiger, who here instead of the campy hesitations and tics of his classic roles in The old dark house and The bride of Frankenstein portrays a completely Mephistophelian character (at least until he is felled by a coughing fit that sounds a lot like a heart attack). Nice role also from Michael Gough, 38 years later Michael Keaton's butler in Tim Burton's Batman.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original

avatar van Dievegge

Dievegge

  • 3166 messages
  • 8186 votes

In the mid-twentieth century, synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester were on the rise. That provided inspiration for this exciting sci-fi comedy from Ealing Studios.

Alec Guinness remains one of the driest British comedians. He does not make him a stereotypical nerd, but he does make him an unworldly inventor who has difficulty expressing himself without falling into technical jargon. He discovers with surprise that not the whole world is waiting for his invention. Industrial entrepreneurs do not want products that never break down, because then fewer sales will be made. Moreover, workers fear that jobs will be lost. The result is that Stratton has to face off alone against a coalition of capitalists and socialists who want him raw. That can count as socio-economic satire. Joan Greenwood plays an interesting role, with her sappy accent and pouty mouth, because it remains unclear for a long time which side she will choose.

The smooth editing and lighting demonstrate expert knowledge, for example when the white suit is brightly lit while Guinness's head is in the shadows. Mirrors are also used effectively. As a climax there is a chaotic chase with many extras. Such an old comedy remains enjoyable.

dutch flagTranslated from Dutch · View original