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O Lucky Man! (1973)

 -  Comedy | Drama | Fantasy  -  20 June 1973 (USA)
7.6
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Ratings: 7.6/10 from 4,537 users  
Reviews: 67 user | 28 critic

This sprawling, surrealist musical serves as an allegory for the pitfalls of capitalism, as it follows the adventures of a young coffee salesman in Europe. Many actors play multiple roles, ... See full summary »

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Title: O Lucky Man! (1973)

O Lucky Man! (1973) on IMDb 7.6/10

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Michael Arnold Travis / Plantation thief
...
Sir James Burgess / Monty
Rachel Roberts ...
Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. Richards
...
Mr. Duff / Charlie Johnson / Dr. Munda
...
Patricia
...
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
...
Master of Ceremonies (Nightspot) / Warner / Male nurse
Bill Owen ...
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
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Storyline

This sprawling, surrealist musical serves as an allegory for the pitfalls of capitalism, as it follows the adventures of a young coffee salesman in Europe. Many actors play multiple roles, giving the film a stagy tone. Written by Philip Brubaker <coda@nando.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Music

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

20 June 1973 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

A szerencse fia  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

Goofs

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. See more »

Quotes

Film director: Smile!
Michael Arnold Travis: For what? There's nothing to smile about!
Film director: You don't have to have a reason. Just do it.
Michael Arnold Travis: But there's nothing to smile about.
See more »


Soundtracks

"Look over Your Shoulder"
Written by Alan Price
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User Reviews

 
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 | by (Virginia, USA) – See all my reviews

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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