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:

What's it all about... 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

Alfie says in horror about the older Harry, "He's thirty-five years old!" In real-life, Sir Michael Caine was thirty-three in 1966, and Alfie Bass, who played Harry, was fifty-five.

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Goofs

Alfie's seduction of Lilly takes place in midsummer. The next time we see her we are told that three months have elapsed, but the foliage still shows it to be midsummer.

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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 Going in Style (2017)

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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

Citizen Caine.......Becomes Alfie

Michael Caine was 33 years old in 1966...the year Alfie was made. He was a relatively unknown actor. After Alfie, he was famous and in demand. Caine appears to have approached this role with a lot of confidence ...and why not, he already had a cockney accent...and he was also very cocky. His performance is 95% of the reasons why this is a very good movie. He gives one of the truly GREAT screen performances. The film is not just a comedy...there are examinations of deep and complex social issues...and there are lots of windows into the swinging sixties. But in the final analysis this is Michael Caines movie....for it is his character that stays with us, long after we are mesmerized by his bravado performance. He is still working today...at the age of 79. He has given some great performances over the years...but none to equal his work as Alfie.