Life at the Top (1965)

Joe Lampton thought he had really made it by marrying the boss's daughter in his northern mill town. But he finds he is being sidelined at work and his private life manipulated by his ... See full summary »

Director:

Ted Kotcheff

Writers:

John Braine (novel), Mordecai Richler (screenplay)

Stars:

Laurence Harvey, Jean Simmons, Honor Blackman

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laurence Harvey	...	Joe Lampton
Jean Simmons	...	Susan Lampton
Honor Blackman	...	Norah Hauxley
Michael Craig	...	Mark
Donald Wolfit	...	Abe Brown
Robert Morley	...	Tiffield
Margaret Johnston	...	Sybil
Ambrosine Phillpotts	...	Mrs. Brown
Allan Cuthbertson	...	George Aisgill
Paul A. Martin	...	Harry
Frances Cosslett	...	Barbara
Ian Shand	...	Hethersett
George A. Cooper	...	Graffham
Nigel Davenport	...	Mottram
Andrew Laurence	...	McLelland

Storyline

Joe Lampton thought he had really made it by marrying the boss's daughter in his northern mill town. But he finds he is being sidelined at work and his private life manipulated by his father-in-law. Even so, he ignores an offer of a job in London and keeps away from attractive TV presenter Norah. When he finds his wife is having an affair, he reconsiders on both counts. But can he make it on his own ability down south?

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Plot Keywords:

adultery | sequel | based on novel | business | independent film | 

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Taglines:

Brawling! Brassy! Unashamed!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 June 1966 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Ein Platz ganz oben

Filming Locations:

Ilkley Station, Yorkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Romulus Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first feature film of Denis Quilley.

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Quotes

Abe Brown: [after he has - allegedly - passed his medical examination with flying colours] Well, isn't everyone disappointed?

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Connections

Followed by Man at the Top (1970)

User Reviews

Hard to like this film...

I came to this film not having seen Room at the Top (1959) and not having read the novel. So my thoughts are based on it being a stand alone film - which might be a failing on my part, it is a sequel after all. I suspect this film was made (like so many sequels) on the back of the success of Room at the Top, rather than a stand alone piece of work. Anyway, my view of this film must be taken in this context.

Notwithstanding it's production in 1965 it somehow felt dated, perhaps exacerbated by being in black and white. The themes and the characters all seemed so stereotypical, outmoded and emotionally shallow. The main character played by Laurence Harvey (Joe Lampton) was very hard to like, he didn't seem to have many redeeming facets to his personality at all, often I felt I didn't really care what happened to him. There needs to be something in a main character to carry you through the story from beginning to end, not as in this case a man managing with a colossal chip on his shoulder. This wasn't the fault of Mr Harvey - more the way his character was written. This pretty much goes for all concerned. A superb cast do the best with what they have, hamstrung by what is often wooden dialogue.

My interest was only sustained by seeing the film as a document to mid-sixties England, the gorgeous Jean Simmons and glimpses of some fabulous cars - especially a Maserati Quattroporte.