In Britain we have a long tradition and history of being able to see an irreverent, macabre humour in murder. We have been as disgusted by it as we have been fascinated. Look at the evidence; the fevered interest of the public and media in Dr. Crippen in the early 1900s, the success of the films of Alfred Hitchcock and of course it was the newspaper magnate Alfred Harmsworth (or Viscount Northcliffe) who tapped into the interest of the nation when he uttered that famous phrase: "get me a murder a day." But sadly The Green Man fails in the above because the humour falls flat and leaves the macabre looking uncomfortable and out of place. It tries, perhaps too hard, to be a successor to Kind Hearts and Coronets – and there are seldom few films that can stand up to Ealing's masterpiece. It's a shame because it should work. The lugubrious, wild-haired, pinwheel eyed Alistair Sim plays a freelance assassin. Sidney Gilliat wrote the play, and the great Basil Dearden (Cage of Gold, The Blue Lamp) directs. Even a young George Cole and the presence of Terry Thomas cannot save it.
It is hard to say what would have improved this. Perhaps more pathos and less slapstick would have made a difference. Certainly some dark, low key lighting and photography (the film is incredibly grey) would have been welcome. The films one saving grace is the performance of Alistair Sim; it might be worth watching for him alone.
It is hard to say what would have improved this. Perhaps more pathos and less slapstick would have made a difference. Certainly some dark, low key lighting and photography (the film is incredibly grey) would have been welcome. The films one saving grace is the performance of Alistair Sim; it might be worth watching for him alone.