FILM REVIEWS

UK (Lion International)

Richard Attenborough stars (and produces with Bryan Forbes) this British drama, directed by Guy Green, as Tom Curtis, an ordinary man working in a factory.

When a new employee named Travers (Alfred Burke) complains about conditions at the plant, he creates disaccord, tension, and conflict among his fellow workers, forcing them to take sides.

At first, Tom is suspecious about Travers’ motivation and methods, and so when Travers decides to call a wildcat strike, Tom refuses to join in. However, by that point, Travers has managed to get massive support in the factory, and Tom soon becomes alienated from his fellow employees.

Even so, Tom must contend with the men’s angry reprisals, and his wife Anna (the graceful Italian actress Pier Angeli) fails to understand her husband and the risks he takes for himself as well as the welfare of the family.

Both co-writer Bryan Forbes and Richard Attenborough would later become successful directors, the latter winning most of the Oscars in 1982 for the biopic “Gandhi.”

Oscar Nominations: 1

Story and Screenplay (Original): Richard Cregson, Michael Craig; Bryan Forbes

Oscar Awards: None

Oscar Context:

The winner of the Original Screenplay Oscar were Billy Wilder and I.A. L. Diamond for “The Apartment,” which also won Best Picture and Best Director.

Cast

Richard Attenborough as Tom Curtis

Pier Angeli as Mrs. Curtis

Michael Craig as Joe Wallace

Bernard Lee as Bert Connolly

Alfred Burke as Travers

Penelope Horner as Pat

Credits

Black-and-white

Running time: 95 Minutes.

Directed by Guy Green

Screenplay by Michael Craig and Bryan Forbes

Released January 1, 1960.