Film Review
The Boulting brothers followed up their popular army satire
Private's Progress (1956) with
an equally vigorous send-up of another great institution, Britain's
legal system. Based on Henry Cecil's popular novel, the film
brings together the three stars of the earlier Boulting comedy, Richard
Attenborough, Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas, as well as several other
familiar comedic performers - John Le Mesurier, Eric Barker, Nicholas
Parsons, Irene Handl, etc. - for another classic British comedy.
Carmichael is hilarious in another of his memorable greenhorn roles,
the young barrister who is struggling to come to terms with the
absurdities of an antiquated judicial system (which, apparently, has
not changed one iota since the film was made). Most memorable are
the courtroom exchanges (particularly the ones where Carmichael is
roasted alive by John Le Mesurier), which show just what an ass the law
really is. Although Terry-Thomas appears all too briefly,
he almost steals the show with his side-splitting portrayal of a
Cockney spiv, a complete contrast to the upper class cad he is best
known for playing. A highly enjoyable comedy classic.
© James Travers 2009
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Film Synopsis
Roger Thursby is a recently
graduated barrister who is desperately keen to make his mark on the
legal profession. Alas, it isn't long before his initial optimism
begins to wane as it becomes apparent that winning his first briefs is
no east matter. Even when the distinguished Kendall Grimes
takes him on as a pupil, Roger still hasn't any success. The
cases that do somehow manage to come his way prove unwinnable and he
soon becomes hopelessly disillusioned. Then providence, in
the guise of con artist Alfred Green, lends him a helping hand.
By getting the charge against Green dismissed on a technicality, Roger
wins his first case, even though this victory revolts him
morally. Could this be the first step in a brilliant legal
career, or is he destined to fail...?
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.