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Storyline
Louis Mazzini's mother belongs to the aristocratic family D'Ascoyne, but she ran away with an opera singer. Therefore, she and Louis were rejected by the D'Ascoynes. Once adult, Louis decides to avenges his mother and him, by becoming the next Duke of the family. Murdering every potential successor is clearly the safest way to achieve his goal... Written by
Yepok
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Taglines:
He chopped down the family tree...
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The original camera negative was saved from the Henderson's Film Laboratories fire of 1993, just before a massive nitrate explosion destroyed the negatives of many other films including several other Ealing comedies.
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Goofs
The first murder that Louis Mazzini commits involves him swimming fully dressed underwater to release a boat from its moorings. In spite of having brought no change of clothes or even a towel, he is shown shortly after committing the murder paddling down the river with his clothes bone dry.
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Quotes
[
first lines]
Warder in Jail:
Good evening, Mr. Elliot.
The Hangman:
Good evening.
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Crazy Credits
The opening credits list photos of the 4 leading actors with their character names; in the case of
Alec Guinness, 8 photos of the 8 characters he plays are shown, along with the one character name of "The D'Ascoyne Family." In the end credits, the 8 character names are listed for him.
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Connections
Referenced in
The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
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Soundtracks
"Il mio tesoro intanto"
The Aria is
from Don Giovanni by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Mozart)
Libretto by
Lorenzo da Ponte (uncredited)
The music is played by
The Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by
Ernest Irving
Sung by an unidentified solist
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As is the case with most great things, the basic premise of this film is simple. There is, however, an essential darkness at the heart of the movie: the cold blooded and calculating murder of all those who stand between Dennis Price and his possible succession to a title. That this is treated in so light and civilised a way is the triumph of the film. The screenplay and performances complement each other perfectly and are a credit to all those involved. I cannot think of a weak link in the film. The casting was beautifully judged down to the most minor character. The leads are, though, just about perfect. For my money, it is the best of Dennis Price's film work (though his Jeeves on television in the 60's was good, too). Guinness was splendid and well supported by Valerie Hobson and Joan Greenwood. I have probably seen the film more than a dozen times in the past thirty years. Each time it offers something fresh and new. Quite simply one of the best.