Archie Rice, an old-time British vaudeville performer sinking into final defeat, schemes to stay in show business.
Directed by Tony Richardson
beauty contest
based on play or musical
dysfunctional family
bankruptcy
music hall
seaside town
kitchen sink realism
vaudeville performer
british new wave
suez crisis
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.6 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Laurence Olivier
Archie Rice
Brenda De Banzie
Phoebe Rice
Roger Livesey
Billy Rice
Joan Plowright
Jean Rice
Alan Bates
Frank Rice
Daniel Massey
Graham
Albert Finney
Mick Rice
Shirley Anne Field
Tina Lapford
Thora Hird
Mrs. Ada Lapford
Miriam Karlin
Renée Baxter
Geoffrey Toone
Harold Hubbard
Max Bacon
Charlie Klein
Crew
Tony Richardson
Director
John Osborne
Screenplay
Nigel Kneale
Screenplay
John Addison
Original Music Composer
Harry Saltzman
Producer
John Osborne
Theatre Play
Peter Yates
Assistant Director
John Addison
Conductor
Popular Reviews
7 reviews
Ava
9.0★ · 02/08/26
“Old Archie isn't going to get his oats after all.”One of Olivier’s most honest, humanistic, and tragic roles, but his performance wasn’t even close to being the only highlight. Brenda de Banzie and Roger Livesey were spectacular; this was really a great ensemble piece. A dysfunctional family saga done so skillfully, and now I need to watch more kitchen sink dramas!
“Old Archie isn't going to get his oats after all.”One of Olivier’s most honest, humanistic, and tragic roles, but his performance wasn’t even close to being the only highlight. Brenda de Banzie and Roger Livesey were spectacular; this was really a great ensemble piece. A dysfunctional family saga done so skillfully, and now I need to watch more kitchen sink dramas!
Rob
10.0★ · 01/17/25
Rewatched in memory of Dame Joan Plowright ( 1929 to 2025). This is one of the great British dramas and she was one of the great British actresses
Rewatched in memory of Dame Joan Plowright ( 1929 to 2025). This is one of the great British dramas and she was one of the great British actresses
