Film Review
Even by the late 1950s, when it was first released,
The Battle of the Sexes must have
seemed somewhat dated. Today, it feels positively
antediluvian. Still, it offers a superlative cast, including two
of Britain's legendary comedy performers, Peter Sellers and Robert
Morley, and is briskly directed by Charles Crichton. The latter
is of course best known for his classic Ealing comedies,
Hue
and Cry (1947) and
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951),
and whilst this later comic offering barely passes mustard when
compared with Crichton's earlier triumphs, it is nonetheless fun to
watch.
Never mind the daft plot and the unsubtle swipes at feminism and modern
business practices. Just enjoy Sellers's bravura turn in one of
his more unhinged character roles, a meek office clerk who believes he
can commit the perfect murder (with an egg whisk). The satirical
edge may be blunter than a trades union spokesman after he has been
handed a parking ticket but Sellers and Morlay come up with the goods,
yanking as much humour as they can humanly manage from a so-so
screenplay.
© James Travers 2010
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.
Next Charles Crichton film:
Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
Film Synopsis
When Old Macpherson dies, his son Robert inherits his thriving Edinburgh-based
tweed clothing business. On his return to Scotland from America, the
young Macpherson runs into Angela Barrows, a business consultant who agrees
to look over his company with a view to modernisation. Angela is astonished
to discover that the tweed is being manufactured using out-dated traditional
methods by hundreds of weavers spread over several Scottish islands.
Her plan is to centralise the entire weaving operation in one large factory,
thereby achieving enormous efficiency gains. Naturally, Angela's planned
changed are ill-received by Macpherson's loyal staff, particularly the humdrum
accountant Mr Martin. When he realises that he might be for the chop,
Martin decides there is only one course of action. Inspired by a Sherlock
Holmes film, he decides that the time has come for Angela Barrows to die.
The battle of the sexes has just begun...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.