The Servant (1963)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Joseph Losey

Writers:

Robin Maugham (novel)
Harold Pinter (writer)

Release Date:

16 March 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The aristocratic Tony moves to London and hires the servant Hugo Barrett for all services at home. Barrett seems to be a loyal and competent employee...

Plot Keywords:

Manservant | Lover | Bachelor | Valet | Decadence

Awards:

Won 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Dirk Bogarde	...	Hugo Barrett
Sarah Miles	...	Vera
Wendy Craig	...	Susan
James Fox	...	Tony
Catherine Lacey	...	Lady Mounset
Richard Vernon	...	Lord Mounset
Ann Firbank	...	Society Woman
Doris Knox	...	Older Woman
Patrick Magee	...	Bishop
Jill Melford	...	Younger Woman
Alun Owen	...	Curate
Harold Pinter	...	Society Man
Derek Tansley	...	Head Waiter
Brian Phelan	...	Man in Pub
Hazel Terry	...	Woman in Bedroom
Philippa Hare	...	Girl in Bedroom
Dorothy Bromiley	...	Girl in Phone Box
Alison Seebohm	...	Girl in Pub
Chris Williams	...	Cashier in Coffee Bar
Gerry Duggan	...	Waiter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Dankworth	...	Jazz Band Leader (uncredited)
Harriet Devine	...	Girl (uncredited)
Davy Graham	...	Guitarist (uncredited)
Colette Martin	...	Girl (uncredited)
Joanna Wake	...	Girl (uncredited)
Bruce Wells	...	Sidewalk Painter (uncredited)

Directed by
Joseph Losey

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Robin Maugham		novel "The Servant"
Harold Pinter		writer

Produced by
Joseph Losey	....	producer
Norman Priggen	....	producer

Original Music by
John Dankworth

Cinematography by
Douglas Slocombe

Film Editing by
Reginald Mills

Production Design by
Richard Macdonald

Set Decoration by
Ted Clements

Costume Design by
Beatrice Dawson

Makeup Department
Joyce James	....	hair stylist
Bob Lawrance	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Teresa Bolland	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Roy Stevens	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Buster Ambler	....	sound recordist
John Cox	....	sound supervisor
Gerry Hambling	....	sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Frank Howard	....	camera grip
Chic Waterson	....	camera operator

Music Department
David Lindup	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Pamela Davies	....	continuity
Geoff Freeman	....	unit publicist (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Springbok Productions

Distributors

• Elstree Distributors (1963) (UK) (theatrical)
• Landau Releasing Organization (LRO) (1964) (USA) (theatrical)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1977) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

30 Royal Avenue, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company:

Springbok Productions

Trivia:

When Joseph Losey was hospitalized for two weeks during this shoot, Dirk Bogarde continued filming assisted by minute, daily instructions over the phone from Losey's hospital bed. When Losey returned to the set he did not re-shoot any of the script, much to the relief of cast and crew.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Barrett is bringing Susan and Tony their meal, the cameraman's reflection can be briefly seen in the shiny silver lid on the tray.

Soundtrack:

All Gone

Fighting for Power in the British Class Warfare

The aristocratic Tony (James Fox) moves to London and hires the servant Hugo Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) for all services at home. Barrett seems to be a loyal and competent employee, but Tony's girlfriend Susan (Wendy Craig) does not like him and asks Tony to send him away. When Barrett brings his sister Vera (Sarah Miles) to work and live in the house, Tony has a brief hidden affair with her. After traveling with Susan for spending a couple of days in a friend's house outside London, the couple unexpectedly returns and finds Barrett and Vera, who are actually lovers, in Tony's room. They are fired and Susan breaks with Tony. Later, Tony meets Barrett alone in a pub and hires him back, and Barrett imposes his real dark intentions in the house, turning the table and switching position with his master.

While watching the quite unknown "The Servant", at least three points called my attention. The first one is the impressive cinematography and the camera work and movements, shooting in unusual angles inclusive with a great use of mirrors. The second one is the stunning performance of Dirk Bogarde, in the role of a sinister, amoral and cynical character that plots a Machiavellian dark plan to achieve power in the British class warfare. Last but not the least, the ambiguous screenplay, with eroticism and insinuations that Tony is actually bisexual, missing the "services" of his servant. I do not know if my mind is quite dirty with the sexual liberty of the present days, but I saw many elements indicating that Tony's connection with Barrett is actually sexual attraction. In 1963, I believe the censorship would be strong regarding sex and drugs and the screenplay is open to more than one interpretation. Sarah Miles is extremely beautiful in this highly recommended movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Criado" ("The Servant")