You won't find this on Netflix or Amazon Prime, which is a shame because it's an absolute tour-de-force and delight. Described on the back cover of the dvd as a 'lost classic', this 1955 film is a portmanteau collection of three short films, The Picture, You Killed Elizabeth and Lord Mountdrago. Each has a different director, David Eady, George more O'Ferrall and Wendy Toye, but it's worth noting that Orson Welles obvioulsy directed his instalment, although uncredited.
The film is bookended by a young Eamon Holmes, who introduces each segment. The first, The Painting is my favourite of the three and tells the tale of a haunted painting in a museum, it's sinister but oh so utterly British in its politeness. The second, the weakest of the three is a murder mystery about a doomed love triangle, that just plays it as a straight murder.
The third stars Orson Welles as the pompous and arrogant Lord Mountdrago - the Foreign Secretary of an obvious Tory Government who utterly humiliates a Welsh MP, Alan Badel, during a debate in the House of Commons. Badel swears revenge and stalks Mountdrago's dreams leading to a series of nightmares all directed by Orson Welles. Charming, delightful and extremely enjoyable. Only the second film fails to deliver, but that's mostly down to the fact it lacks the fantastical elements of the other two. There's a great bonus on this DVD called: Return to Glennascaul, which also stars Orson Welles. It's a 20 minute ghost story, with a very funny punchline. Great fun.
A throughly enjoyable film it offers a glimpse into a long lost Britain.
9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments, unless they're how to make money working from home, are gratefully received.