An Inspector Calls, 1954.
Directed by Guy Hamilton.
Starring Alastair Sim, Jane Wenham, Eileen Moore, Bryan Forbes, Brian Worth, Olga Lindo, Arthur Young.
SYNOPSIS:
The Birling family are rich, pampered and complacent. It is 1912, and the shadow of the impending war has yet to fall across their lives. As they sit down to dinner one night, a knock at the door announces the arrival of Inspector Poole, who insists on questioning the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman.
The 1945 play An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley has become regarded as a classic thriller that takes an illuminating magnifying glass to the nuances of the British class system. Priestley held strong socialist values and these principles are at the heart of the play. Written in a single week, the production was first shown in venues in Moscow in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II.
The 1954 film of the same name took the play as its inspiration. Desmond Davis added some extra content largely in the important flashback parts of the film, which the play did not have.
This is important because in the play, the young woman who has tragically died is never seen on stage. Thanks to the flashback memories of the various members of the Birling family recalling their interactions and relationships with the woman, we are introduced to an actual individual.
This individual is brilliantly played by Jane Wenham. Named Eva Smith (later as Daisy Renton), the working-class girl has had various dealings with everyone questioned by the Inspector. This Inspector played by the incredible Alastair Sim showcases the part that the family may have played in the terrible circumstances of Eva Smith’s death. In both the play (especially as the character is unseen on stage) and the film, the overriding feeling is that Eva stands for many girls who have been wronged by society, the class system and the hierarchy of this particular family.
Set in 1912, Priestley’s story has fun with the impending world events that will bring about undeniable changes for the Birling family. Unknowing that WWI is about to kick off, the family basks in its wealth and social standing. They are the sort who will ignore their work force’s call for fair pay, or will take umbrage at what they think is a shopgirl laughing at them and demand that they are sacked, or partake in an affair that will always be secret because of class differences.
As is pointed out in the superb commentary by David Del Valle this is is essentially a ‘moral audit’ on the family. The unflinching gaze of Inspector Poole’s enquiry takes us into the darkness of the largely awful family and how they are all guilty in making the tragedy more likely.
Only the two youngest members of the family; Sheila and Eric hold any sort of guilt for the outcome. This is fully in keeping with Priestley’s ideas of the young fuelling revolution and change and it at least offers some sort of hope in what is otherwise a bleak picture of British social life.
I am not sure if spoilers are a thing for a film celebrating its 70th birthday, but it is nevertheless interesting to note that in the original play the inspector is named Inspector Goole, not Poole. This little hint nods at the all-knowing mystical air of the inspector.
Perhaps it was changed in the filmic version to keep the ending even more of a surprise. In any case, without saying any more, the film’s culmination is rightly regarded as an amazing ending and ensures the story stay in the memory.
But the true star of the film, despite Sim’s incredible performance, is the story and the tragic lesson of Eva Smith/Daisy Renton. A story that shows the consequences of people’s actions, and how for a society to be healthy, every member needs to take responsibility.
The 4K UHD Release (also on DVD, Blu Ray and Digital) is released by StudioCanal on 7 October.
Special features include film critic Anna Smith on An Inspector Calls, audio commentary from film historian David Del Valle and an archive interview with Jane Wenham.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert W Monk
