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Only When I Larf

  • 19681968
  • GG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
285
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Only When I Larf (1968)
A master conman leads a pair of British accomplices on an international adventure of highly profitable dirty tricks.
Play trailer3:26
1 Video
12 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Crime
A master conman leads a pair of British accomplices on an international adventure of highly profitable dirty tricks.A master conman leads a pair of British accomplices on an international adventure of highly profitable dirty tricks.A master conman leads a pair of British accomplices on an international adventure of highly profitable dirty tricks.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
285
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Basil Dearden
  • Writers
    • John Salmon(script)
    • Patrick Tilley(additional material)
    • Len Deighton(book "Only When I Larf")
  • Stars
    • Richard Attenborough
    • David Hemmings
    • Alexandra Stewart
Top credits
  • Director
    • Basil Dearden
  • Writers
    • John Salmon(script)
    • Patrick Tilley(additional material)
    • Len Deighton(book "Only When I Larf")
  • Stars
    • Richard Attenborough
    • David Hemmings
    • Alexandra Stewart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 9User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:26
    Trailer

    Photos12

    1 Sheet
    David Hemmings in Only When I Larf (1968)
    David Hemmings in Only When I Larf (1968)
    Richard Attenborough and David Hemmings in Only When I Larf (1968)
    David Hemmings and Alexandra Stewart in Only When I Larf (1968)
    Richard Attenborough and David Hemmings in Only When I Larf (1968)
    Richard Attenborough and David Hemmings in Only When I Larf (1968)
    Only When I Larf (1968)
    Richard Attenborough in Only When I Larf (1968)
    Only When I Larf (1968)
    Richard Attenborough and David Hemmings in Only When I Larf (1968)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Attenborough
    Richard Attenborough
    • Silasas Silas
    David Hemmings
    David Hemmings
    • Bobas Bob
    Alexandra Stewart
    Alexandra Stewart
    • Lizas Liz
    Nicholas Pennell
    • Spenceras Spencer
    Melissa Stribling
    Melissa Stribling
    • Dianaas Diana
    Terence Alexander
    Terence Alexander
    • Gee Gee Grayas Gee Gee Gray
    Edric Connor
    • Awanaas Awana
    Gaston Chikhani
    Clifton Jones
    Clifton Jones
    • General Sakutas General Sakut
    Calvin Lockhart
    Calvin Lockhart
    • Ali Linas Ali Lin
    Brian Grellis
    • Spideras Spider
    David Healy
    David Healy
    • Jonesas Jones
    Alan Gifford
    Alan Gifford
    • Posteras Poster
    Walter Henry
    • Kitchen Assistantas Kitchen Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    Juba Kennerley
    Juba Kennerley
    • Restaurant Dineras Restaurant Diner
    • (uncredited)
    Roy Kinnear
    Roy Kinnear
    • Hotel Chefas Hotel Chef
    • (uncredited)
    David Lodge
    David Lodge
    • Caplanas Caplan
    • (uncredited)
    John Tatham
    John Tatham
    • Restaurant Dineras Restaurant Diner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Basil Dearden
    • Writers
      • John Salmon(script)
      • Patrick Tilley(additional material)
      • Len Deighton(book "Only When I Larf")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie was in theaters only a few weeks after the publication of Len Deighton's novel. He had developed the subject as a novel and a movie project simultaneously, an idea that another best-selling author, Alastair Maclean, would soon take up with Where Eagles Dare (1968). Deighton was co-Producer of this movie, as well as author of the novel, but is surprisingly not credited as author of the screenplay (which makes a significant change to the novel at the end of the story).
    • Goofs
      When they go to the bank the calendar by the teller says 23 October , but the check says 27-8-1968. The possible cause of this is that the check was already made out and then there was a two month delay in filming the scene.
    • Quotes

      Silas: [leaving Poster and Jones alone in his office] Don't worry. It's not bugged - or if it is, they haven't told me about it!

    • Soundtracks
      Only When I Larf
      Written by Ron Grainer

      Recorded by Whistling Jack Smith

    User reviews9

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Stylish but lacking
    A very slick, glossy and well-paced opening got my attention. The accompanying whistling score was unique and enjoyable, and added to the feel of a professional, military-like operation. Fifteen minutes in, I was transfixed and had high expectations. Sadly, the story quickly falls apart. The cool and efficient team, gone; in its place, incompetence and betrayal, leading to an unsatisfactory second and third act, which were mostly pointless and predictable. It was almost a film in reverse.

    Great locations, well shot, good performances, very much of its time. Thematically, I couldn't help think this may have been the inspiration for the 2004-2012 BBC series, Hustle, which had a similar concept (wise veteran, cool younger man, glamorous woman, who con greedy and unpleasant marks). Overall, worth a watch. With a better script, it could have been a classic.
    helpful•1
    0
    • andrew-87-904401
    • Mar 19, 2022

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 23, 1968 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nur über eine Leiche
    • Filming locations
      • Chobham Common, Surrey, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Beecord Production Ltd.
      • Deigton/Duffy Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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