The Green Man

Star Review

This lively, three-episode TV adaptation of a Kingsley Amis novel should leave you in very high spirits. But the joviality of the enterprise doesn't detract from its considerable effect as a spine-tingler. Albert Finney plays Maurice, the womanising, semi-alcoholic proprietor of ‘The Green Man’, an upmarket country inn in a picturesque pocket of Cambridgeshire. Each night, Maurice saunters downstairs in black tie and entertains guests with delicious stories of the spooky goings-on that the inn has become famous for. But when the supernatural really rears its ugly head – in the shape of ghostly visits from a malevolent 17th Century resident who slaughtered his wife – Maurice's life takes a turn for the worse.
Attractively shot in the 'prestigious' BBC manner and expertly adapted by Malcolm Bradbury, The Green Man delivers sex, jolts and light comedy in equal measures, and is boosted immeasurably by Finney's exuberant performance as the randy, boozy innkeeper. Standing out from the fine supporting cast is Nickolas Grace as a trendy, modern vicar who wears garish trainers under his cassock.

Julian Upton on 21st May 2007

View all 76 of Julian Upton’s reviews

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Film Description

Classic British farce, and arguably Alistair Sim's funniest film, in which he plays an assassin with a nice line in fitting killings. However, bumbling vacuum-cleaner salesman George Cole stands between him and one of his targets, pompous politician Gregory Upshott (Raymond Huntley).

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One of the best loved of British crime movies, The Green Man has Alistair Sim as Hawkins, a timid clockmaker with an unusual part-time job: he’s an assassin. He's aske... more >

One of the best loved of British crime movies, The Green Man has Alistair Sim as Hawkins, a timid clockmaker with an unusual part-time job: he’s an assassin. He's asked to take out a self-important government minister, but things go awry when vacuum cleaner salesman George Cole stumbles across the plot. As woeful modern British attempts continue to demonstrate, the art of making this kind of razor-sharp black comedy is almost completely lost. Enjoy it on this DVD and remember an era when such things were possible. < less

View all 346 of Barry Forshaw’s reviews

The whole thing moves at a cracking pace, and the supporting cast includes Terry-Thomas, Raymond Huntley, Dora Bryan and Arthur Lowe. One of the many highlights has Si... more >

The whole thing moves at a cracking pace, and the supporting cast includes Terry-Thomas, Raymond Huntley, Dora Bryan and Arthur Lowe. One of the many highlights has Sim chatting up an aging female string trio while attempting to plant a bomb in the lounge of the eponymous Green Man. Sim was originally going to direct the film as well, but eventually handed the baton over to Robert Day. < less

View all 4 of MJ’s reviews

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Film Details

Cast

Alastair Sim, George Cole

Technical Details