An Inspector Calls (2015)A mysterious Inspector investigates the wealthy Birling family and their dinner guests following the suicide of a young woman. Director:Aisling Walsh |
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An Inspector Calls (2015)A mysterious Inspector investigates the wealthy Birling family and their dinner guests following the suicide of a young woman. Director:Aisling Walsh |
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Complete credited cast: | |||
Sophie Rundle | ... | ||
Lucy Chappell | ... | ||
Miranda Richardson | ... | ||
Ken Stott | ... | ||
Finn Cole | ... | ||
Chloe Pirrie | ... | ||
Kyle Soller | ... | ||
David Thewlis | ... | ||
Flora Nicholson | ... | ||
Gary Davis | ... | ||
Wanda Opalinska | ... |
Charity Lady
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In 1912 pompous industrialist Arthur Birling, who has hopes of a knighthood, his superior wife Sybil and young son Eric are celebrating the engagement of daughter Sheila to eligible Gerald Croft when they are visited by blunt Inspector Goole. He tells them of the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith and though they all claim not to have known her the inspector demonstrates that each in their own way contributed to her downfall, by having her dismissed from work or, in the young men's cases, having sexual relationships and then abandoning her. After Goole has left the youngsters feel ashamed and the engagement is halted but Arthur Birling, doubting the inspector's authority, rings the local police station. This is the prelude to a double shock which will lead to the family's humiliation and ruin. Written by don @ minifie-1
JB Priestley's play An Inspector Calls from 1946 is a celebrated theatrical play that depicts the Birling family cruel treatment of Eva Smith a former factory employee, shop girl and then a fallen woman. In each case contact with the Birlings piles on further misfortune.
The film is set in 1912, a time where social change is threatened and there are rumblings of war in Europe. The Birlings are a well to do provincial family in Yorkshire. Their daughter is due to marry a suitable suitor and Arthur Birling (Ken Stott) is looking forward to receive an offer of a knighthood.
However an Inspector Goole (David Thewlis) arrives to spoil the celebration that a young woman has tragically killed herself and each person in the room shares some responsibility.
This television film is a more sombre affair than the Alistair Sim version and maybe appears a tad heavy handed with its moralising which still has relevance today (Priestley was a socialist). I think the ending worked better in the Sim film but I felt this was the better film as some of the hard edged Birlings (Stott and Miranda Richardson) revert to type as soon as the Inspector leaves unaware that a counter punch is yet to be delivered.