The Servant (1963)
Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins
Synopsis: In THE SERVANT, Joseph Losey's 10th film made in the U.K. after his 1951 blacklisting in the U.S., the powerful undercurrents of class struggle and sexual repression erupt through the very British patina of civility to expose the poisoned undercurrents of a class-based society. Dirk... In THE SERVANT, Joseph Losey's 10th film made in the U.K. after his 1951 blacklisting in the U.S., the powerful undercurrents of class struggle and sexual repression erupt through the very British patina of civility to expose the poisoned undercurrents of a class-based society. Dirk Bogarde plays Barrett, a seductive and insidious manservant hired by flamboyant playboy Tony (James Fox, in his film debut) to take control of his newly established household. When asked what he wants in a manservant, Tony responds, "Well...everything." And that's just what Barrett takes. As his awe-inspiring efficiency gives way to a suspicious and overarching control, Tony's fiancée, Susan (Wendy Craig), begins to nurture a severe dislike of the omnipresent Barrett. When Barrett brings his girlfriend on as the maid--telling Tony that she is his sister--the inevitable disaster that results sees Barrett (and girlfriend) expelled from the household and Tony left by his fiancée. Alone and left to his own rather debauched devices in his spectacularly appointed bachelor pad, Tony eventually rehires Barrett and the role reversal becomes complete as the two reestablish the household--however, now with Barrett seemingly at its head. Losey's pessimistic obsession with character and the English class system is cynically crystallized in this ironic allegory penned by Harold Pinter, based on the novel by Robin Maugham. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Dirk Bogarde, James Fox, Sarah Miles, Wendy Craig
DVD Info
Release:
Dec 18, 2001
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic - 1.66
Audio:
- Mono - English
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers
Interactive Features:
- Scene Access
- Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Biographies
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Reviews
Opaque but hypnotically absorbing allegory of power, exploitation, and sublimated sexuality in a class-based society.
The Servant is for the most part strong dramatic fare, though the atmosphere and tension is not fully sustained to the end.
Certainly difficult to define, this period piece messes with genres, power relationships and your head.
Neither Pinter's pregnant dialogue nor the generally svelte performances can disguise the fact that there's less here than meets the eye and ear.
The formidable triumvirate of Bogarde, Losey and Pinter each stamp their personalities on this deliciously unpleasant film.
It is a flesh-creeping demonstration of human destructiveness that Mr. Pinter and Mr. Losey are presenting in this film, and it is made all the more horrifying by the genteel surroundings in which it occurs.
The film is very studied and smooth, even though it deals in sexual hysteria; it could use some of the roughness and drive of Losey's early work.


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