Alfie (1966)

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Bill Naughton (screenplay)
Bill Naughton (based on the play by: "Alfie")

Release Date:

24 August 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Michael Caine is Alfie is Wicked !

Plot:

An unrepentant ladies' man gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle.

Plot Keywords:

Sex | Love | Sanitarium | Breaking The Fourth Wall | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Michael Caine	...	Alfie
Shelley Winters	...	Ruby
Millicent Martin	...	Siddie
Julia Foster	...	Gilda
Jane Asher	...	Annie
Shirley Anne Field	...	Carla
Vivien Merchant	...	Lily
Eleanor Bron	...	The Doctor
Denholm Elliott	...	The Abortionist
Alfie Bass	...	Harry Clamacraft
Graham Stark	...	Humphrey
Murray Melvin	...	Nat
Sydney Tafler	...	Frank
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pauline Boty	...	One of Alfie's Girlfriends (uncredited)
Peter Graves	...	(uncredited)
Harry Locke	...	Foreman (uncredited)
Bryan Marshall	...	Perce (uncredited)
Ken Morley	...	Man (uncredited)
James Payne	...	Man in Pub Fight (uncredited)
Cardew Robinson	...	Gay Man in Pub (uncredited)
Tony Selby	...	Lace (uncredited)
Queenie Watts	...	Blonde Pub Singer (uncredited)
Virginia Wetherell	...	(uncredited)
Neil Wilson	...	Bus Passenger (uncredited)

Directed by
Lewis Gilbert

Writing credits
Bill Naughton		(screenplay)
Bill Naughton		(based on the play by: "Alfie")

Produced by
John Gilbert	....	associate producer
Lewis Gilbert	....	producer

Original Music by
Sonny Rollins		(music by)

Cinematography by
Otto Heller		(lighting cameraman)

Film Editing by
Thelma Connell

Art Direction by
Peter Mullins

Makeup Department
Betty Glasow	....	hairdresser
Freddie Williamson	....	make-up (as Fred Williamson)

Production Management
Denis Johnson	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William P. Cartlidge	....	assistant director (as Bill Cartlidge)
Brian W. Cook	....	third assistant director (uncredited)
Ernie Lewis	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Terence Morgan	....	set dresser
Gilbert Wood	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Stephen Dalby	....	dubbing mixer (as Steve Dalby)
Peter Davies	....	sound recordist
Peter Musgrave	....	dubbing editor
Gerry Humphreys	....	dubbing crew (uncredited)
Ken Nightingall	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Mike Silverlock	....	sound camera operator (uncredited)

Stunts
Peter Diamond	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Harry Gillam	....	camera operator
Jack Dooley	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Ray Parslow	....	second camera operator (uncredited)
Ronnie Fox Rogers	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Sally Nicholl	....	casting supervisor

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jack Dagemais	....	costumes: Miss Winter's
Jean Fairlie	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Graham Shipham	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Oliver Nelson	....	conductor (uncredited)
Oliver Nelson	....	music arranger (uncredited)

Other crew
Pamela Davies	....	continuity
Loretta Ordewer	....	production secretary
Harri Peccinotti	....	titles
Vic Singh	....	titles
Geoff Freeman	....	unit publicist (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Lewis Gilbert (as A Lewis Gilbert Productiion)
• Sheldrake Films (uncredited)

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1966) (USA) (theatrical) (as A Paramount Picture)
• Paramount Home Video (1986) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (1997) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Nelonen (2002) (Finland) (TV)
• Finnkino (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD) (widescreen)
• Ciné-Tamaris/Paramount Home Video (2006) (France) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paramount Pictures (1966) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Paramount (1966) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• British Film Institute (BFI)
• CIC Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) (video rating) (1995) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Canada:18A | West Germany:18 (nf) | UK:12 (re-rating) (2001) | UK:15 (tv rating) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:TV-14 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video rating) (1985) (2001) | USA:Approved (Suggested for Mature Audiences) (original rating) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1972)

Filming Locations:

Tower of London, Whitechapel, London, England, UK

Company:

Lewis Gilbert

Trivia:

On its original release, the film had an all instrumental soundtrack, by Sonny Rollins. The Oscar nominated song, by Bacharach and David, was added for the American release, and to a British re-release. For the UK release, the song was sung by Cilla Black over the end credits, which went to #9 on the British charts. For the US release, the song was originally to be sung by Dionne Warwick over the end credits, but was replaced at the last minute by the version sung by Cher. Ironically, Warwick's version outperformed Cher's on the Billboard charts.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Fly-wire visible on the guy who is thrown through the paneling at the end of the pub fight.

Quotes:

Alfie:You're not entitled to secret thoughts!
Annie:Everyone's entitled to secret thoughts!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Life on Mars: All the Young Dudes (#1.15)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Alfie

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

Directed by Lewis Gilbert. Written by Bill Naughton. Running time: 114 minutes. Classified PG.

Alfie is a fantastic example of what I would call a perfect movie: it has a message, it states it clearly, it mixes humor with poignancy, and it's highly stylistic. And did I happen to mention that Michael Caine is in it? The story of the film revolves around a selfish cad (an exceptional Caine) who takes advantage of nearly every woman he encounters and, as a result, is eventually left alone. While Alfie has some very funny moments, it is far from being a comedy: at heart, it is a grim drama about the consequences of selfishness. From the opening scene -- an overview of London at night leading to a shot of Caine and one of his mistresses attempting to copulate in a car -- to the rather dismal conclusion -- another shot of London at night with Caine pondering the meaning of life -- Alfie is directed with flair and elegance. The cinematography is outstanding and the accompanying jazz score establishes an appropriate mood. Each performance is terrific in its own way: Shelley Winters is flawless as Alfie's counterpart, and Graham Stark (a recurring star in Blake Edwards' films) turns in a great supporting role as the ethical husband of one of Alfie's lovers. The script is taut, well-written, and highly influential (Alfie's occasional monologue to the camera is a technique that has been replicated countless times in modern films). Screenwriter Bill Naughton also made the clever decision to assign no last names to any of the principal characters. The only part with a surname belongs to Alfie Bass, who portrays a hospitalized father that stands out as the only truly virtuous character in the entire picture. There are some very light and witty moments in the film, but the scenes that stand out the most are the powerful ones revolving around Viven Merchant's abortion. Director Lewis Gilbert made the wise decision to not show anything explicit, but in the process he made these scenes increasingly haunting and heart-breaking. The shot that focuses on Caine's face as his emotions melt at the sight of his unborn child is remarkably intense. Over-all, Alfie is intriguing, entertaining, and oddly touching. Its influence can be seen in practically every romantic comedy since its release (even High Fidelity owes much of its success to this gem). Alfie went on to score five Oscar nominations, including nods for the extraordinary performances of Caine and Merchant.

**** - Classic