Alfie (1966)

An unrepentant ladies' man gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle.

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Bill Naughton (screenplay), Bill Naughton (based on the play: "Alfie")

Stars:

Michael Caine, Shelley Winters, Millicent Martin

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Caine	...	Alfie
Shelley Winters	...	Ruby
Millicent Martin	...	Siddie
Julia Foster	...	Gilda
Jane Asher	...	Annie
Shirley Anne Field	...	Carla
Vivien Merchant	...	Lily Clamacraft
Eleanor Bron	...	The Doctor
Denholm Elliott	...	The Abortionist
Alfie Bass	...	Harry Clamacraft
Graham Stark	...	Humphrey
Murray Melvin	...	Nat
Sydney Tafler	...	Frank

Storyline

For Alfie, the only real life is sex life. Only then, can he kid himself he is living. Sex is not used as the working-class boy's way to "the top". Executive status has no appeal for Alfie. Nor has class mobility. He is quite content to stay where he is, as long as the "birds" are in "beautiful condition", as he assures us they are in one of the candid, over-the-shoulder asides to the camera which this movie carries over from Tom Jones (1963). This movie shows how much of the "swinging 60s" quality of London life was a male creation, and through the dominance of the fashion photographers, a male prerogative.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | sex | transistor radio | electric guitar | jazz score | 

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Taglines:

Michael Caine is Alfie

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alfie

Filming Locations:

Lots Road Power Station, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lewis Gilbert, Sheldrake Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The power station in the background where Humphrey (Graham Stark) gives his mother's gold ring to Gilda (Julia Foster) is the Lots Road Power Station with its original four chimneys, each two hundred seventy-five feet (eighty-four meters) tall. Opened in 1905 to supply power to the newly electrified Underground railways, it was converted from coal to oil in the 1970s, and due to the lower emissions from gas, the numbers of chimneys needed was reduced, so two were removed. The station stopped generating power in 2002.

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Goofs

When Alfie speaks with Siddie in the final scene, the ambient light level varies between twilight and dark night.

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Quotes

Alfie: My understanding of women only goes as far as the pleasure. When it comes to the pain I'm like any other bloke - I don't want to know.

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Crazy Credits

At the beginning of the film Michael Caine talks to camera and explains that there will be no opening credits.

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Connections

Referenced in What's Up Doc?: Episode #2.6 (1993)

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Soundtracks

Rolling Bones
by The Screaming Nadgers
[Instrumental as heard in Motorway Café]

User Reviews

An excellent introduction to Michael Caine's work

Having seen most of Michael Caine's work before, it was a pleasant surprise to see one of his first films. You can tell that it is one of his early roles and was not made with a large budget, but, as a good film should portray, it is quite clearly the quality of the script and the acting that outshines the sets and other superfluous aspects.

Caine's character is inherently unlikeable, but, he exudes such a strong charisma that one warms to him gradually. The films choice of supporting actress is also well done as they are controlled by Caine's character, but not upstaged.

The ending, for me is the key point in liking Caine's character, as without spoiling the film, the final scene, set against the Thames at night, is an outstanding piece of writing and direction.

Alfie is an excellent introduction to Michael Caine's work and, for all its flaws, it remains an outstanding film.