IMDb > O Lucky Man! (1973)
O Lucky Man!
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O Lucky Man! (1973) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   3,092 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Lindsay Anderson
Writer:
David Sherwin (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for O Lucky Man! on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 June 1973 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Music more
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... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Some films do not date more (54 total)

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Coffee Man (UK) (working title)
more
Runtime:
183 min | Sweden:168 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
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 more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
After the success of If.... (1968), Malcolm McDowell suggested to Lindsay Anderson that they should work again. Anderson replied that good scripts don't grow on trees and that McDowell should consider writing his own if he wanted to give himself a good part. Although the actor was only 30 at the time, he based the film around the concept of his own life story and then brought it to writer David Sherwin who then crafted the screenplay. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the crowd at the "orgy" starts calling for "Chocolate Sandwich" Travis' cigarette suddenly appears in his mouth, where it wasn't an instant before. more
Quotes:
Gloria Rowe: [to colleague] Travis - that's your man. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Seinfeld: The Bris (#5.5)" (1993) more
Soundtrack:
Sell Sell more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful.
Some films do not date, 24 September 2001
Author: John Redmond (max redmond) from Seoul South Korea

I have seen both versions (there was an edited version in the late seventees that did not include the rescue scene) of "O Lucky Man" several times. I first saw it in London in the mid seventees as I was very impressed by Lindsay Andersons earlier "If", not to mention a fine performance by Malcolm McDowell. The surreal quality of of Andersons allegorical perspective of life in England at the time was reflected in one of the films great lines, "Try not to die like a dog?" Having seen the film several times since (and turned some friends onto Lindsey Anderson), I was truly surprised at how this film has, not only, not dated, but actually has more relevance now than it did some 27 years ago. England, was about to undergo radical changes in both government and economy. The naivety of the care free sixties was well behind us. Major strikes were frequent. Punk was about to explode onto an exhausted music scene. And, soon there would be a new regime of economic rationalists running the country. The mood and pace of "O Lucky Man" seemed to reflect a sense of innocence lost. Troubled times ahead. A sense of fear and mistrust of the prosperity that is so often associated with capitalism and free enterprise. There are even blatant stabs at genetic engineering. But most of all the sense that England was no longer in control of it's own destiny. Through out this vision of uncertainty are some of last centuries finest comic performances. Most notably Aurthur Lowes' 'Dr. Munda' was, and still is, brilliant. WARNING!!! Even though this film does not follow the normal codes and conventions of narrative structure, my next comment is about a scene towards the end of the film. So, if you have not seen "O Lucky Man", but would like to, stop reading now. The best line of all that sums up the mood of this film is delivered by Mick Travis during the audition scene. After being slapped in the face by Lindsay Anderson when he was told to 'smile', he looks straight at the camera, sneers, and says, "What's there to smile about?". All these years later, still brilliant.

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