There are only two reasons why this film has not collected the highest of highest ratings from me. Reason number one is that the plot takes an extremely long time to get going. The first twenty minutes or so are not only downright boring, but they are enacted by a very unlovable cast of principals. But all this is absolutely necessary, so don't go to sleep or put the excellent Slam Dunk DVD into fast forward, because the initially repulsive character so brilliantly enacted by Eddie Byrne does a U-turn. In both guises, he is well supported by the lovely Jane Barrett, a prolific TV player who made only a handful of movies. The rest of the actors consist of some very familiar faces, but many of them very successfully undertake unfamiliar roles. This is all to the good because it is only the Eddie Byrne character that changes face when the plot is suddenly and unexpectedly put into motion by the death of the local clergyman. I particularly warmed to Sid James and Raymond Lovell. Sid is gloriously repulsive in an unusual role as one of the chief villains. Raymond, of course, plays hissable villain number one, and it's nice to see him backed against the wall when the local clergyman unexpectedly passes away and is replaced by a newcomer who has no affiliations whatever with the the smug officers of the local council. A last word: In my opinion, Lewis Gilbert's direction here is easily the best of his entire career.
Review of Time, Gentlemen, Please!
