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IMDb > The Fallen Idol (1948)

The Fallen Idol (1948) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   1,877 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Carol Reed
Writers:
Graham Greene (story) and
Graham Greene (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Fallen Idol on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 September 1948 (UK) more
Genre:
Drama | Mystery | Thriller more
Plot:
A butler working in the French embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Retro Cafe: Rediscovering 'The Third Man'
 (From CinemaSpy. 4 April 2009, 9:30 PM, PDT)

On DVD: "Our Man in Havana," "The Singing Revolution"
 (From IFC. 3 February 2009, 6:55 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Lies My Butler Told Me more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Ralph Richardson ... Baines
Michèle Morgan ... Julie
Sonia Dresdel ... Mrs. Baines
Bobby Henrey ... Phillipe
Denis O'Dea ... Inspector Crowe
Jack Hawkins ... Detective Ames
Walter Fitzgerald ... Dr. Fenton
Dandy Nichols ... Mrs. Patterson
Joan Young ... Mrs. Barrow
Karel Stepanek ... First Secretary
Gerard Heinz ... Ambassador
Torin Thatcher ... Policeman
James Hayter ... Perry
Geoffrey Keen ... Detective Davis (as Geoffrey Keene)
Bernard Lee ... Detective Hart
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Lost Illusion
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Runtime:
95 min | West Germany:90 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Iceland:L | West Germany:16 | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (DVD rating) | UK:A (original rating) | Australia:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Despite his character's hatred of Mrs. Baines, Bobby Henrey's favorite person on set was the actress who played her, Sonia Dresdel. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Baines: Good day, sir... In his office there, miss.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in A Sense of Carol Reed (2006) (V) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
28 out of 30 people found the following comment useful:-
Lies My Butler Told Me, 11 April 2006
10/10
Author: seanodartofilm from Ireland

Lies, sometimes, are an act of kindness. Many times I hasten to add. The imagination of a lonely child is ignited by a meek man in love. The man, as played by the extraordinary Ralph Richardson, is a mass of contradictions and yet we understand him. Married to a shrew and in love with Michele Morgan no less. Carol Reed is not a director that comes immediately to mind when one lists the greatest directors of all time, but in my book, is right up there with the very best. No other director has been able to bring Graham Green to the screen with its spirit so gloriously intact. Guilt and fear as riveting entertainment. Suspenseful, funny and beautiful to look at. Go try to top that.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Fallen Idol (1948)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I didn't care for Phillipe. Okada_Toru
that kid ncblue66
Favourite line? emmas_place2003
Mrs. Baines was a real bitch. richsass
French flag? jrangers19
Interesting shots of London Zoo in the forties clive-ihd
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