I'm with those who rate this film as one of the best comedies ever made. Reading the comments, there is much said about the quality of the acting and the bizarre nature of the plot.
I regard one of its chief delights as being the ever-present tension between the gruesome nature of the hero's enterprise and the polish and sophistication of his manners. This tension is continually highlighted by the plot. An example of this is the scene where Louis Mazzini is sitting drinking tea with Edith D'Ascoyne in the garden, and calmly continues their conversation as smoke begins to appear behind her in the distance, from the hut where her husband is being incinerated.
The other chief delight for me is the language. Every word of the dialogue and narration is precise, conveying neither more nor less that it ought. The examples given on the "Memorable Quotes" section are by no means all that could have been chosen. Lines like those can of course only be delivered by actors who are completely familiar with the English language at its most refined, and who have the composure to speak them as they were meant to be spoken. It is a joy to watch and listen to them.
I have watched this film many times, and it never loses its freshness. There is nothing spectacular about it, no flash; just a constant succession of rare treats to be enjoyed again and again.
I cannot conceive of a better comedy than this ever being made, so I give it 10.
I regard one of its chief delights as being the ever-present tension between the gruesome nature of the hero's enterprise and the polish and sophistication of his manners. This tension is continually highlighted by the plot. An example of this is the scene where Louis Mazzini is sitting drinking tea with Edith D'Ascoyne in the garden, and calmly continues their conversation as smoke begins to appear behind her in the distance, from the hut where her husband is being incinerated.
The other chief delight for me is the language. Every word of the dialogue and narration is precise, conveying neither more nor less that it ought. The examples given on the "Memorable Quotes" section are by no means all that could have been chosen. Lines like those can of course only be delivered by actors who are completely familiar with the English language at its most refined, and who have the composure to speak them as they were meant to be spoken. It is a joy to watch and listen to them.
I have watched this film many times, and it never loses its freshness. There is nothing spectacular about it, no flash; just a constant succession of rare treats to be enjoyed again and again.
I cannot conceive of a better comedy than this ever being made, so I give it 10.