O Lucky Man! (1973)

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writer:

David Sherwin (writer)

Release Date:

20 June 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Music

Tagline:

Smile while you're makin' it. Laugh while you're takin' it. Even though you're fakin' it. Nobody's gonna know...

Plot:

This sprawling, surrealist musical serves as an allegory for the pitfalls of capitalism, as it follows...

Plot Keywords:

Allegory | Coffee | Hotel | Sequel | Black Comedy

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Malcolm McDowell	...	Michael Arnold Travis / Plantation thief
Ralph Richardson	...	Sir James Burgess / Monty
Rachel Roberts	...	Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. Richards
Arthur Lowe	...	Mr. Duff / Charlie Johnson / Dr. Munda
Helen Mirren	...	Patricia
Graham Crowden	...	Stewart / Prof. Millar / Meths Drinker
Peter Jeffrey	...	Factory chairman / Prison governor
Dandy Nichols	...	Tea Lady / Neighbour
Mona Washbourne	...	Neighbour / Usher / Sister Hallett
Philip Stone	...	Jenkins / Interrogator / Salvation Army major
Mary MacLeod	...	Mrs. Ball / Salvationist / Vicar'w Wife
Michael Bangerter	...	William / Interrogator / Assistant / Released prisoner
Wallas Eaton	...	John Stone (Coffee factory) / Col. Steiger / Prison warder / Meths drinker / Film executive
Warren Clarke	...	Master of Ceremonies (Nightspot) / Warner / Male nurse
Bill Owen	...	Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding

Also Known As:

Coffee Man (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

183 min | Sweden:168 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:X (theatrical release) | UK:15 | Brazil:14 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company:

Memorial Enterprises

Trivia:

Co-producer Michael Medwin plays six parts in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: Blood on Travis' face appears and disappears after the interrogation scene.

Quotes:

Professor Millar: Michael, I don't know if anyone's ever told you this, but you happen to belong to a very rare group of encephaloids.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Suck (2009)

Soundtrack:

Changes

O Lucky Me

To see this film again has been a monumental thrill. Lindsay Anderson, what an extraordinary director. IF. THIS SPORTING LIFE. BRITANNIA HOSPITAL. THE WHALES OF AUGUST. So very few films, but each one of them, a journey of discovery. Entertaining but angry and provoking. His repertory of actors, from Malcolm McDowell his star and, I imagine, his lover to Arthur Lowe. The Anderson-McDowell collaborations deserve an in depth study. Very rarely a director and actor can bring such glories from each other. De Niro and Scorsese. Von Stemberg and Dietrich. Kazan and Brando and very few others. The joys of Rachel Roberts, Ralph Richardson, Helen Mirren, Mona Washbourne and a cast of a thousand glorious British character actors. The film is so filled with surprises that you don't want ever to end.