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)

Gross USA:

$18,871,300

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lewis Gilbert, Sheldrake Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Recording System)

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Theatrical movie debut of Vivien Merchant (Lily Clamacraft).

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Goofs

When Alfie is in the doctors office and looks out of the window at the funeral, the window frame is of a different sort to the one we see of the interior.

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Quotes

[talking about Gilda's appearance while she is pregnant]
Alfie: Mind you, she came over quite beautified for a while, particularly during the early months. And I told her: I said "Blimey, girl, you ain't as ugly as I thought".

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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

Featured in Hollywood U.K.: Northern Lights (1993)

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Soundtracks

Alfie
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Arranged by Burt Bacharach
Performed by Cilla Black
Produced by George Martin and Burt Bacharach (uncredited)
(U.K. re-release)

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.