Bartleby

Name: Bartleby
Genre: Drama
Released: 1973-09-14
Duration: 1 h 18 min
Rating: 6.4
Cast: Paul Scofield, John McEnery, Thorley Walters

19701970
PGPG
1h 18m

6.4/10

284

Paul Scofield and John McEnery in Bartleby (1970)

Drama

An asocial and enigmatic office clerk refuses to do his work, leaving it up to his boss to decide what should be done with him.An asocial and enigmatic office clerk refuses to do his work, leaving it up to his boss to decide what should be done with him.An asocial and enigmatic office clerk refuses to do his work, leaving it up to his boss to decide what should be done with him.

6.4/10

284

Director
- Anthony Friedman
Writers
- Rodney Carr-Smith(screenplay)
- Anthony Friedman(screenplay)
- Herman Melville(story "Bartleby, the Scrivener; A Story of Wall-street")
Stars

Top credits

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See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

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Director
- Anthony Friedman
Writers
- Rodney Carr-Smith(screenplay)
- Anthony Friedman(screenplay)
- Herman Melville(story "Bartleby, the Scrivener; A Story of Wall-street")
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Updated to 1970s London, this faithful adaptation of Herman Melville's classic follows a young accounting clerk rebelling against his employer by responding to demands to do work by saying, "I prefer not to." This is carried on ad absurdum until the office is in chaos because the other employees must do Bartleby's work. His boss is unable to fire or help him and eventually has him placed in a mental hospital. Paul Scofield (A Man for All Seasons), John McEnery (The Duellists) and Thorley Walters (TV's "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy") star in this impeccably mounted study of employment, insanity, and the rigors of everyday life from one of literature's most acclaimed geniuses. —Anonymous

character name as title one word title independent film

Genre
- Drama
Certificate
- PG
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
The church steeple that can be seen through Bartleby's office window is that of St. Vedast alias Foster in the City of London.

Quotes
The Accountant: Now, Bartleby, sit down. I want to check procedures for the Prebble Account and verify our results so far. With the three of us, it will be faster.
Bartleby: I don't feel I can. Just at the moment.
[he exits]
The Accountant: [the Accountant and Tucker have followed Bartleby to his office] What on Earth do you mean by this?
Bartleby: I would prefer not to say.
The Accountant: Prefer not to. What do you do mean, you prefer not to? Are you refusing to cooperate?
Bartleby: I prefer not to.
Bartleby: But. look here; this is normal practice, it's an excellent way to save work for both of you. You verify your work with the same stroke; kill two birds with one stone, as it were. Don't you?
Bartleby: I would not like to kill two birds with one stone.
The Accountant: It's simply common practice here. It's not unreasonable. Well?
The Accountant: [to Tucker] What do you think of it?
Tucker: I think he should do what you ask him to.
The Accountant: But am I unreasonable?
Tucker: No, Sir. Not at all. I think he's a bit round the bend.
The Accountant: You see, Bartleby, my demands are reasonable. This office isn't exactly a slave labour camp, is it?
[he chuckles hollowly]
The Accountant: .
The Accountant: Go and have lunch. Think about it.

Connections
Version of Bartleby (1976)

Top review

8/10

Watchably unwatchable

Bartleby is clearly on the autistic spectrum, but was not recognized as such owing to the prevailing attitudes of the time (1970). What should have been a barely watchable curiosity piece is elevated to something more engaging by the fine acting and evocative locations. After a single viewing, I already cherish this film and as a "cult" movie it is a worthy addition to that genre.

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