The Outsider (1948)
"The Guinea Pig" (original title)

Jack Read, a working-class boy, wins a scholarship to a public school as part of a post-World War Two experiment in bringing boys of different social classes together. He meets much ... See full summary »

Director:

Roy Boulting

Writers:

Roy Boulting, Warren Chetham Strode (play),

Stars:

Richard Attenborough, Sheila Sim, Bernard Miles

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Attenborough	...	Jack Read
Sheila Sim	...	Lynne Hartley
Bernard Miles	...	Mr. Read
Cecil Trouncer	...	Lloyd Hartley
Robert Flemyng	...	Nigel Lorraine
Edith Sharpe	...	Mrs. Hartley
Joan Hickson	...	Mrs. Read
Timothy Bateson	...	Tracey (as Tim Bateson)
Clive Baxter	...	Gregory
Basil Cunard	...	Buckton
John Forrest	...	Fitch
Maureen Glynne	...	Bessie
Brenda Hogan	...	Lorna Beckett
Herbert Lomas	...	Sir James Corfield
Anthony Newley	...	Miles Minor

Storyline

Jack Read, a working-class boy, wins a scholarship to a public school as part of a post-World War Two experiment in bringing boys of different social classes together. He meets much snobbery along the way as he strives to earn acceptance from his fellow students and some of the teaching staff.

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Plot Keywords:

public school | class differences | boxing | based on play

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1950 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Outsider

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pilgrim Pictures, Boulting Brothers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film to use the word "Arse".

User Reviews

Saintbury School, host to a truly wonderful experiment.

Based on a Warren Chetham Strode play and directed by the supremely talented Roy Boulting, The Guinea Pig is a cinematic delight of the kind that makes me proud to be British. Set in the 1940s, the picture is showing us the wind of change that occurred in Britain in the 40s as regards the breaking down of class system snobbery after the advent of World War II. Here our main protagonist is Jack Read {a simply wonderful Richard Attenborough}, a young fresh faced kid from a basic working class family, his father sends him away to posh Saintbury School. A school famed for it's Henry The Eighth heritage, Rugby, Cricket and it's affluent laden scholars. In short our Jack is not so much a fish out of water, but more like a tadpole in a sea of sharks, he his bullied by class mates for his humble origins, even the house masters are looking down their noses at him, but a bit of love and support from home and astute teacher Nigel Lorraine {Robert Flemyng brilliant} and Jack, coupled with his guts could yet make his mark on Saintbury School and beyond. An important film in many ways, The Guinea Pig seems to be something of an under seen piece, very few user comments written for it and only 100 people have voted on it. With that in mind please ignore the current 6.3 rating here, this film is a positive delight, from the harsh early days of Jack's schooling to a delightful Thomas Wolsey inspired wind of change, The Guinea Pig not only gave me a tear in my eye, it also gave me pride within my chest.

Wonderful indeed 9/10.