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IMDbPro

The Fallen Idol

  • 19481948
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
Sonia Dresdel, Bobby Henrey, and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
Trailer for The Fallen Idol
Play trailer1:24
2 Videos
83 Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.A butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Carol Reed
  • Writers
    • Graham Greene(based on a short story by)
    • Lesley Storm(additional dialogue)
    • William Templeton(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Ralph Richardson
    • Michèle Morgan
    • Sonia Dresdel
Top credits
  • Director
    • Carol Reed
  • Writers
    • Graham Greene(based on a short story by)
    • Lesley Storm(additional dialogue)
    • William Templeton(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Ralph Richardson
    • Michèle Morgan
    • Sonia Dresdel
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 80User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 7 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Fallen Idol
    Trailer 1:24
    The Fallen Idol
    The Fallen Idol - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    Trailer 1:23
    The Fallen Idol - Rialto Pictures Trailer

    Photos83

    Sonia Dresdel and Bobby Henrey in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Bobby Henrey in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Michèle Morgan and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Bobby Henrey in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Bobby Henrey and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Sonia Dresdel and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Sonia Dresdel and Bobby Henrey in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Walter Fitzgerald, Bobby Henrey, and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Bobby Henrey and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Sonia Dresdel and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Bobby Henrey in The Fallen Idol (1948)
    Bobby Henrey and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ralph Richardson
    Ralph Richardson
    • Baines
    Michèle Morgan
    Michèle Morgan
    • Julie
    • (as Michele Morgan)
    Sonia Dresdel
    Sonia Dresdel
    • Mrs. Baines
    Bobby Henrey
    Bobby Henrey
    • Phillipe
    Denis O'Dea
    Denis O'Dea
    • Inspector Crowe
    Jack Hawkins
    Jack Hawkins
    • Detective Ames
    Walter Fitzgerald
    Walter Fitzgerald
    • Dr. Fenton
    Dandy Nichols
    Dandy Nichols
    • Mrs. Patterson
    Joan Young
    • Mrs. Barrow
    Karel Stepanek
    Karel Stepanek
    • First Secretary
    Gerard Heinz
    Gerard Heinz
    • Ambassador
    Torin Thatcher
    Torin Thatcher
    • Policeman
    James Hayter
    James Hayter
    • Perry
    Geoffrey Keen
    Geoffrey Keen
    • Detective Davis
    • (as Geoffrey Keene)
    Bernard Lee
    Bernard Lee
    • Detective Hart
    John Ruddock
    • Dr. Wilson
    Hay Petrie
    Hay Petrie
    • Clock Winder
    Dora Bryan
    Dora Bryan
    • Rose
    • Director
      • Carol Reed
    • Writers
      • Graham Greene(based on a short story by) (screenplay)
      • Lesley Storm(additional dialogue)
      • William Templeton(additional dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Despite Phillipe's (Bobby Henrey's) hatred of Mrs. Baines, Henrey's favorite person on-set was the actress who played her, Sonia Dresdel.
    • Goofs
      When Julie leaves the tea shop and closes the shop door, there is an Open / Closed sign hanging on the glass pane of the door, but when Baines and Phillipe leave the tea shop a minute or so later, the sign is no longer there.
    • Quotes

      Baines: There are faults on both sides, Phile. We don't have any call to judge. Perhaps she was what she was because I am what I am. We ought to be very careful, Phile. 'Cause we make one another.

      Phillipe: I thought God made us.

      Baines: Trouble is, we take a hand in the game.

    • Connections
      Featured in A Sense of Carol Reed (2006)

    User reviews80

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    The Fallen Idol: Minor Masterpiece
    Just saw "The Fallen Idol" at the Nu-Art in West Los Angeles on the last day of its one week run, with a new crystal clear 35 mm print. The meaning of the title only becomes clear at the film's conclusion, so I won't say much more on that score. From a Graham Greene novella which I have never read, the author drafted the screenplay, so presumably the film remains faithful to Greene's perennial themes: loyalty and betrayal; faith and faithlessness; marriage and divorce. What makes these issues intriguing is that the film largely revolves around the point of view of an innocent, charming young boy called Phillipe, played to perfection by Bobby Henrey. He lives in the London embassy of a French speaking country, which is a sort of purgatory (always the Catholic themes with Greene) which is both in England and not subject to its laws. He is taken care of by a kind valet/ chef de maison called Baines (understatedly played by Ralph Richardson) and his Cruella De Ville of a wife (played as the personification of small-minded evil by Sonia Dresdel). Phillipe has no mother (she has been unwell and away for a long time), and no memory of her. Insteads, he has the run of his own Garden of Eden-the huge Embassy with its lovely views over London, great rooms and sweeping staircases. He even has his own snake- a pet that he hides behind a brick on the balcony and carries around in his pocket. He hero-worships Baines, who indulges him and talk to him and hates Mrs Baines who orders him around, hectors him and threatens him at every turn. The story of the film occurs over a week-end, where Phillippe and the Baines' are left alone in the Embassy as the ambassador has gone to bring back his wife from her convalescence, and revolves how Phillipe understands the love triangle between Mr Baines and Mrs Baines and the lovely Julie (played with cheek-bones high) by Michele Morgan, speaking both French and English.

    Look out for some terrific performances by the main cast (especially Bobby Henrey as Phillipe), but also by a series of supporting characters : two washerwomen, a sharp tongued lady of the night, a kindly bobby, several detectives and a perceptive doctor. The photography bears mentioning. There are shades of the "Third Man", as well as a great hide and seek game in darkness under the furniture in the empty Embassy, and a truly memorable run through the empty streets of London in the dark. From a personal point of view I enjoyed several scenes shot on location at the London Zoo, which was all very familiar even from a fifty year vantage point.

    The film won a British Academy award so it's not exactly undiscovered, but it's not been easy to find at revival theaters or on DVD, but it deserves to be. As I said at the top, a minor masterpiece which operates on many levels. (Los Angeles-April 2006).
    helpful•73
    12
    • nmarshi
    • Apr 14, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 1948 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Kleines Herz in Not
    • Filming locations
      • 1 Grosvenor Crescent, Belgravia, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • London Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $341,121
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,030
      • Feb 12, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $373,185
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

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