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The Man Upstairs

  • 19581958
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
343
YOUR RATING
Richard Attenborough in The Man Upstairs (1958)
CrimeDramaFilm-Noir
John Wilson is troubled with pain and and an inability to sleep. He tries to light the gas-fire and seeks help from another lodger, artist Nicholas, who is spending the night with his model,... Read allJohn Wilson is troubled with pain and and an inability to sleep. He tries to light the gas-fire and seeks help from another lodger, artist Nicholas, who is spending the night with his model, and is reluctant to be disturbed. Another neighbor, Pollen, tries to be helpful, but is h... Read allJohn Wilson is troubled with pain and and an inability to sleep. He tries to light the gas-fire and seeks help from another lodger, artist Nicholas, who is spending the night with his model, and is reluctant to be disturbed. Another neighbor, Pollen, tries to be helpful, but is hit by Wilson. Frightened and angry, Pollen calls for police help. The others in the boardi... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
343
YOUR RATING
    • Don Chaffey
    • Alun Falconer(original story and screenplay)
    • Robert Dunbar(additional scenes and dialogue)
    • Don Chaffey(additional scenes and dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Bernard Lee
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Donald Houston
    • Don Chaffey
    • Alun Falconer(original story and screenplay)
    • Robert Dunbar(additional scenes and dialogue)
    • Don Chaffey(additional scenes and dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Bernard Lee
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Donald Houston
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 13User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award

    Photos57

    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)
    The Man Upstairs (1958)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bernard Lee
    Bernard Lee
    • The Inspector
    Richard Attenborough
    Richard Attenborough
    • The Man Upstairs
    Donald Houston
    Donald Houston
    • Sanderson
    Dorothy Alison
    Dorothy Alison
    • Mrs. Barnes
    Virginia Maskell
    Virginia Maskell
    • Helen Grey
    Kenneth Griffith
    Kenneth Griffith
    • Mr. Pollen
    Patricia Jessel
    Patricia Jessel
    • Mrs. Lawrence
    Alfred Burke
    • Mr. Barnes
    Charles Houston
    Charles Houston
    • Nicholas
    Maureen Connell
    Maureen Connell
    • Miss Blair
    Amy Dalby
    Amy Dalby
    • Miss Acres
    Walter Hudd
    Walter Hudd
    • The Superintendent
    Patrick Jordan
    Patrick Jordan
    • Injured Sergeant
    Graham Stewart
    • Sergeant Morris
    Victor Brooks
    • Sergeant Collins
    Edward Judd
    Edward Judd
    • P.C. Stevens
    Arthur Gross
    Arthur Gross
    • P.C. Clark
    Dan Cressey
    • P.C. Maclean
    • (as Dan Cressy)
      • Don Chaffey
      • Alun Falconer(original story and screenplay)
      • Robert Dunbar(additional scenes and dialogue)
      • Don Chaffey(additional scenes and dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      No fades, dissolves, or background music; the action takes place in exactly the running time of the movie.
    • Soundtracks
      Beast of the Jungle
      (uncredited)

      Music by J.S. Zamecnik

      SynchroFox Music Library

    User reviews13

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Words or Actions!
    Interesting "siege" film from the 50's where director Don Chaffey has clearly set out to stamp his own credentials on the production, even though he was obviously working to a limited budget.

    Similar to most contemporary films, there are few opening credits, with just about every thing left to the end. The story runs in "real time" and crucially the choice has been made to dispense with any musical soundtrack. The use of everyday sounds and noises becomes an important feature in the narrative and certainly ramps up the suspense. The other interesting aspect of the siege is that there are no hostages taken. Rather it's all about getting the protagonist to peaceably leave his room in a block of units and go quietly with authorities.

    Wilson's/Watson's motivations behind his actions are effectively and some what mysteriously drip-fed to the audience, though I feel it was a little unrealistic having his fiancée Helen Grey, "negotiate" with the police in giving them his true name. It's not like he's a career criminal and the whole exercise seemed quite pointless.

    The movie also deals in an even-handed fashion, as to the best means of dealing with a domestic siege; a facet of police work still of great relevance 60 years later. Some characters argue giving reasons for a negotiated outcome, whilst we and others are given explicit onscreen evidence that it may be better to finalise the situation in a less restrained manner.

    In a relatively short film it is inescapable that the story is weakened by being padded out, with us being continually shown the ongoing inter-relationships between the block's other residents. Though well-acted by the supporting cast, they don't have a huge bearing on the main narrative, until arguably near the end where another resident becomes instrumental in drawing the siege to its conclusion.

    Potential viewers looking to watch something different in the way. of British "B" films, could do a lot worse than giving The Man Upstairs a friendly neighbourly glance.
    helpful•11
    0
    • spookyrat1
    • Dec 14, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 13, 1961 (Sweden)
      • United Kingdom
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Association of Cinema Technicians (A.C.T.)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 28 minutes
      • Black and White

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