Directed by:
Joseph LoseyScreenplay:
Harold PinterCinematography:
Douglas SlocombeComposer:
John DankworthCast:
Dirk Bogarde, James Fox, Sarah Miles, Wendy Craig, Catherine Lacey, Patrick Magee, Harold Pinter, John Dankworth, Richard Vernon, Gerry Duggan, Aileen Lewis (more)Plots(1)
Marking the first of three collaborations between director Joseph Losey and celebrated playwright Harold Pinter, The Servant follows sly and seductive manservant Barrett (Bogarde) as he worms his way in to the affections of foppish aristocrat Tony (Fox). Barrett’s awe-inspiring efficiency cleverly masks his true intentions, ultimately giving way to a suspicious and insidious control where the roles of master and servant are reversed. Adapted from Robin Maugham’s short story and with stunning black & white photography from cinematographer Douglas Slocombe, The Servant is a thrilling and ingenious British classic that’s not to be missed. (StudioCanal UK)
(more)Reviews (2)
The Servant represents honest work in the field of psychological drama, excellent acting, and very well-shot scenes, but the whole does not work as one would expect. Simply put, the script contains flaws and the characters undergo strange psychological twists and turns, and their development is equally strange and wild. It gets a 3.5-star rating and this time I lean toward the lower end of it. Overall impression: 65%.
()
An interesting film that doesn't turn out the way you'd think. At first, it seems like it might even be a comedy about how the servant will help the master, but it quickly turns into a thriller where you don't know what to expect from the servant at all. But even this isn't something that the film truly gives you, because this is much more existential. It has the potential to make you discover something new every time you watch it.
()