An Inspector Calls

Plot

The comfortable complacency of the British Birling family is upset when Inspector Poole (Alastair Sim) comes calling. An impoverished young working girl named Eva Smith (Jane Wenham) has committed suicide, and Poole hopes that the Birlings will help him find out why. As the evening progresses, a series of flashbacks reveal that each member of the Birling family has in some small way been responsible for Eva's demise. A twist ending adds a mystical, thought-provoking touch to the proceedings. Bryan Forbes, who plays the Birling son, matriculated into the noted director of such films as The L-Shaped Room, King Rat and The Whisperers. An Inspector Calls was based on a play by J.B. Priestley, which recently scored a huge hit when it was revived in London and New York. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Review

Even the best "whodunnits" usually feature a number of artificial contrivances to make their complicated plots work. When the plot is engrossing enough, the viewer is happy to forgive the contrivances for the thrills provided. An Inspector Calls is inordinately artificial -- it is set almost claustrophobically in the Birling manse, the plot involves a string of coincidences that are almost laughable, and their revelations by the sly inspector are quite calculated. This is partially redeemed by a twist near the end, but until then the film labors under the weight of the plot's machinations -- and also under the weight of the social conscience that is the real point of the story. It's an admirable conscience, but presented a bit too baldly and thus comes across slightly preachy. That said, the plot does progress in a logical and involving fashion, and the cast is delightful. Alastair Sim could play this role in his sleep and brings his natural understated flair to the part, and a young Bryan Forbes is an added bonus in a role that can be predictable. Guy Hamilton's direction flags a bit, but he provides the appropriate mystical feel that is crucial to the film's ultimate effectiveness. The film is not as socially important as it wants to be, but it is a fine flick for a rainy afternoon. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Alastair Sim - Inspector Poole
• Arthur Young - Arthur Birling
• Olga Lindo - Sybil Birling
• Eileen Moore - Sheila Birling
• Bryan Forbes - Eric Birling
• Jane Wenham - Eva Smith

Brian Worth - Gerald Croft; Norman Bird - Foreman; Olwen Brookes - Miss Francis; Barbara Everest - Committee Member; Amy Green - Second Maid; Jenny Jones - Girl; Patricia Neal - First Maid; John Welsh - Shopwalker; Catherine Willmer - Senior Factory Woman; George Woodbridge; Bill Raymond; Walter Cross; George Hirste; Charles Saynor

Credit

Guy Hamilton - Director, Alan Osbigton - Editor, Francis Chagrin - Composer (Music Score), Edward Scaife - Cinematographer, A.D. Peters - Producer, Desmond Davis - Screenwriter, J.B. Priestley - Screenwriter, J.B. Priestley - Play Author

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