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


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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   3,119 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
David Sherwin (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for O Lucky Man! on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 June 1973 (USA) more
Genre:
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:
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
Everyone is going through changes - No one knows what's going on. -And everybody changes places-But the world still carries on. (Alan Price) more (55 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
more
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Coffee Man (UK) (working title)
more
Runtime:
183 min | Sweden:168 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Sir John Gielgud was originally asked to play The Judge. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The roof of the car is dented by Travis standing on it outside the Government Facility, yet when he returns it is in the process of being destroyed, yet the dent is gone. more
Quotes:
Alan Price: [Title song] If you've found the reason to live on,/and not to die,/you are a lucky man. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Suck (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Changes more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
19 out of 21 people found the following comment useful.
Everyone is going through changes - No one knows what's going on. -And everybody changes places-But the world still carries on. (Alan Price), 18 June 2004
10/10
Author: Galina from Virginia, USA

Lindsay Anderson + Malcolm McDowell + Alan Price = O, Lucky Me!

What films do we include in our top lists? The ones that affected us in some very personal way or changed something – not, maybe our lives but the way we watch movies.

"O Lucky Man!" (1973), directed by Lindsay Anderson (with Ralph Richardson, Malcolm McDowell and Helen Mirren) is a constant source of joy when I watch it again and again. Off I go with Mick Travis (McDowell) in his crazy surreal journey up and down, back and forth, "around the world in circles" along with the Alan Price's band that provide the music commentaries in the traditions of a Greek Chorus or Brecht's Theater (whichever you prefer). And in the end we find themselves in…. Well, can't tell you. You have to find out for yourself.

I saw it again yesterday, and it still stands as one of my favorite films. This time, though, I noticed that it was much darker than I remember. The good things and the bad things happen to our hero, Mick Travis, and I think that he really changed - he started to think more and smile less. The look on his face in the end of the move after asked to smile was not that charming, winning smile that he had in the beginning. It was pain, confusion, and anger.

Wonderful film - I am never tired of it. Even though, I know all the turns on the Mick's way to the top and back, it is still so interesting to watch him. I believe it was best McDowell's performance. I know that his most famous one was in Kubrick's Clockwork Orange but my favorite is the everyman Mick Travis who just wanted to succeed.

Young Helen Mirren was lovely as Patricia who traveled in her own crazy circles; the rest of the cast did great job, each of them playing more than one character.

Alan Price - I love his songs to the film very much. Possibly the best use of a rock soundtrack in a film. I am a proud CD owner and I listen to it constantly in my car. It is short, unfortunately.(sigh)

"O Lucky Man!" is one of the best unfairly forgotten films ever.

I remember when I saw it for the first time in the theater, I did not know anything about it – I just liked the title. The girl who was next in line to the box office said to me, "You will like it – it is a very cool movie, I saw it already." Where ever she is today – I want to thank her.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for O Lucky Man! (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
couldn't they fit it all on 1 disc? judacia
Other classics not on DVD paintballgun
Screenplay formatting question. tripitacha
Question about references to Clockwork Orange fierycosmiccatnipple
cliff richard ! stevecannell
only 1/3rd of it on youtube? wackwill00
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