The Ladykillers [1955] (DVD)

Reviewing a couple of my old favourite Ealing Comedies, reminded me of just how many great films there were, that came out of this British Studio, in the 1940's and 1950's. One such Classic was the final offering from the Ealing Studios, The Ladykillers, which was remade in recent years with the lead role going to Tom Hanks and the scene shifting to America. However the original Ladykillers was set in London in that black and white post war era of the 1950's and is infinitely better. Released in 1955, it portrays the period exceptionally well. As a black comedy it has more humour than blackness. Alec Guiness, as Professor Marcus, is the leader of a gang of ...  Read the complete review

Introduction --------------- A gang of criminals, led by criminal mastermind Professor Marcus, plan a multi-million pound robbery. Posing as a group of musicians, they enlist the unwitting help of confused pensioner Mrs Wilberforce. When she rumbles their plan, they have to kill her in order to escape. The Cast ----------- This is possibly the most perfectly cast ensemble film ever created. With one exception, all the main characters are superb. Herbert Lom is wonderfully mean and moody as Louis; lurking in the shadows, yet nervous when it comes to murder. Cecil Parker is hugely entertaining as the blustery, weak major and Danny Green is ...  Read the complete review

I have started to watch this film a number of times, but have always ended up falling asleep halfway through. It's important to note that this is actually nothing to do with the film itself, more that it has always been late when I have put it on, and I have stretched out on the sofa to watch it. Also, the very nature of the film for the first part is quite relaxing, as a lot of it is visual. It's not one of those films you can put on to watch in the background while you're doing the ironing - it's an Ealing Studios comedy, and as such a lot of the effect of the film requires you to watch carefully. Actors such as Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers provide some ...  Read the complete review

I’m really not sure why there is this desire to remake films that were perfectly good as they were the first time around and still good to watch now. I’m rarely tempted; but in this case, the original film, made in 1955, starring Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers was so funny that I thought this re-make couldn’t go too far wrong. Not the least because it was re-written by the Coen Brothers and stars Tom Hanks. However, maybe it is because the new version is so American, but it took me a long time to get into this film and even when I did, it wasn’t as enjoyable as the original. The story A group of criminals, led by the redoubtable Professor G ...  Read the complete review

The Ladykillers is a brilliant film. It has all the requirements of a classic. A great and easy to follow storyline, a well written script, a superb cast, and all the charm of an Ealing comedy. A clear winner all the way. So, what's it about ? Basically the amazing Alec Guinness plays 'Professor' Marcus, the leader of a gang of crooks ( played superbly by, Peter Sellars, Herbert Lom, Cecil Parker and Danny Green). Professor Marcus hires a room in the house of old Mrs Wilberforce (played to perfection by Katie Johnson). The gang pretend to be muscians in order to meet regularly to plan their next ' big job', - which turns out to be stealing a large ...  Read the complete review