An Inspector Calls (1954)

An Inspector Calls is a 1954 film based on the stage play of the same name by J.B. Priestly, it sees the Birling family – a rich, pampered and complacent family – sit down to dinner to celebrate the engagement of their eldest daughter Sybil before their evening is rudely interrupted by Inspector Poole. The Inspector quickly brings news that a girl the family has died and tries to find out if any of the Birling family had a hand in her death.

Overall Review Score

8 out of 10

Review

An Inspector Calls is a 1954, 77-minute, film that sees Alastair Sim play Inspector Poole, a mysterious Police Inspector who has arrived at the Birling household to ask questions. Upon the mysterious arrival of the Inspector, the audience is treated to an early 50’s black and white game of cat and mouse. While the film modifies the Inspector’s name, the film remains true to the source material. The films tension coupled with the mysterious guise of the Inspector is gently built upon as each scene, each secret, and each family members story unfolds. The struggle between the embattled aristocratic Birling family and the Inspector offers viewers a unique insight into the symbolic battle between socialism and capitalism that permeated throughout the 1940s / 1950s. However, the human tragedy of Eva Smith / Daisy Renton demise stops the film turning into a political debate. Overall, An Inspector Calls is a thought provoking film that will tease the audience - its use of music and explanatory flashbacks helps enhance the mood and makes the film worthy of praise. The ending of the film, which was written by Desmond Davis, is a nice twist from the play and leaves the audience guessing who or what the Inspector is / was. Although the film can appear slightly slow in places and the terms used by the actors and lack of action might alienate a modern audience. However, audiences should to see past this, as An Inspector Calls is classical, character-driven story worth watching.

Reviewer 1's score & comments:

Score: 7 out of 10

Comments:

An Inspector Calls is a chilling and thought provoking crime drama, that will keep the audience guessing how the death of ‘Eva Smith’ is tied with the Birling Family. Throughout the film, the audience is treated to crumbs of information, told by the Inspector and members of the Birling family, which helps to demonstrate the pompous family centric life the Birling’s have but also outlines their arrogance and self-entitlement. By the end of the film, some members of the family have learned an important lesson - that all actions have consequences and status and wealth do not mean anything in the eyes of the law. An Inspector Calls is definitely worth a watch, even if it is just for it thought provoking ending.

Reviewer 2's score & comments:

Score: 9 out of 10

Comments:

An Inspector Calls is a black and white, gritty 1954 thriller. Alastair Sim’s portrayal of Inspector Poole (Inspector Goole in the original book) is a masterstroke – he brings a tension, mystic, and an air of confidence to the role that personifies the original book personality of the Inspector, which sends a tingle down the spin of the audience. Overall, An Inspector Calls is a film that carefully blends together two narratives, the impact of the social-class system and how a series of events seemingly unconnected are collectively responsible for the eventual outcome of the final event in the series, perfectly to bring a theatre (small screen) production alive on the big screen.

#crime #drama #mystery