This adaptation of the novel by Labour MP Wilfred Fienburgh depicts politics as a grubby business conducted by grubby people. To many at the time this may have been something of a revelation but we have long since ceased to harbour any illusions about politicians and see them for the self-serving s***s they really are.
The central character here is Johnnie Bryne who has been returned as Labour MP with an increased majority but is passed over for a senior post in Government. He finds consolation in the bottle and in the arms of a much younger woman. He treats appallingly a woman in the flat upstairs with whom he might perhaps have found happiness. He later learns that he has been overlooked because of his wife's communist leanings. They have since parted and being free of this encumbrance he is given a junior post by the Prime Minister.
Peter Finch picked up his third of five BAFTAS (the last being awarded posthumously) for his performance as Johnnie. Even by his standards he is simply superb in what is an unsympathetic role. The supporting cast is uniformly excellent notably Geoffrey Keen, Stanley Holloway, Michael Goodliffe, Paul Rogers and Billie Whitelaw. Ralph Thomas freely admitted that he was a journeyman director who made all kinds of films and was happy if he had an occasional hit. This film might not have been a hit in the commercial sense but as a piece of direction Thomas has surpassed himself. He is blessed to have such fine actors and a brilliant script by Nicholas Phipps and Mordecai Richler. Great score by Malcolm Arnold but I do not think the subject matter justifies the film being shot in Cinemascope.
Whatever ones political beliefs or affiliations this excellent film still resonates. After all, what Disraeli called the 'greasy pole' is as greasy as ever!
