Rent An Inspector Calls (1954)
3.9 of 5 from 121 ratings
1h 17min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- The Birling family are rich, pampered and complacent. It is 1912, and the shadow of the impending war has yet to fall across their lives. As they sit down to dinner one night, celebrating the engagement of the eldest child, Sheila (Eileen Moore), to prosperous business man Gerald (Brian Worth), a knock at the door announces the arrival of a visitor who will change their lives forever.
- Actors:
- Alastair Sim, Arthur Young, Olga Lindo, Brian Worth, Eileen Moore, Bryan Forbes, Jane Wenham, George Woodbridge, Barbara Everest, Charles Saynor, Olwen Brookes, John Welsh, Frances Gowens, Norman Bird, Helen Cleverley, George Cole, Walter Cross, Brenda Duncan, Vi Endean, Mabel Etherington
- Directors:
- Guy Hamilton
- Producers:
- A.D. Peters
- Writers:
- Desmond Davis, J.B. Priestley
- Studio:
- Cinema Club
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch If You Like Gosford Park, Action & Adventure, Cinema Paradiso's 2022 Centenary Club, Cinema Paradiso's 2024 Centenary Club: Part 3, Films to Watch If You Like..., A Brief History of Film..., Top Film and TV Detectives: Guide to Screen Sleuth, Topping the Music Hall Bill, What to Watch Next If You Liked Scrooge
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 12/05/2014
- Run Time:
- 80 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.37:1
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Interview with Actress Jane Wenham
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 07/10/2024
- Run Time:
- 80 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 0 (All)
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Audio Commentary by Author and Film Historian David Del Valle
- New - Anna Smith on 'An Inspector Calls'
- Interview with Actress Jane Wenham
More like An Inspector Calls
Found in these customers lists
Reviews (2) of An Inspector Calls
Social realism meets the ghost story. - An Inspector Calls review by Steve
First film version of JB Priestley's classic socialist play about the thoughtlessly cruel exploitation and degradation of a working class girl. In his greatest performance, Alastair Sim plays a police inspector who visits the home of a factory owner, not so much to investigate, but to identify the guilt of each member of family in the suicide of a young woman who crossed all their lives. Rather thrillingly, she may have been a composite person comprising many of her class, making her a symbolic victim. The film version develops the supernatural element of the play, making it very spooky indeed. The newly scripted flashbacks work very well, but otherwise the film takes place in a single room, with a great deal of talk, which doesn't prove to be problematic. A fine achievement for Hamilton, best known for his Bond films. Brilliant, heartstopping ending too.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Classic Mystery Story - An Inspector Calls review by GI
A classic mystery film based on the play by J.B. Priestley. The inimitable Alastair Sim plays the mysterious Inspector Poole who arrives at the upper class house of the Birling family during their dinner and begins to ask questions regarding a young girl who has just died. This is film rich in character, dark & guilty secrets and delves into issues, differences and attitudes of English class . It has a sharp twist and is superbly scripted; a film about moral and social responsibility and whilst it may appear a little dated today it's still a real gem and a film to seek out if you've never seen it.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.