The Ladykillers
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Movie Reviews of The Ladykillers
Movie Review: One of the real great movies of all time
Summary: 5 Stars
Alex Guiness has the lead in this wonderful story about a gang of hoodlums, including great actors like Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom (the latter two famous from their roles in Pink Panther movies, as Closeau and Dreyfus). Guiness, here known as Professor Marcus, rent a room in a small house, owned by a charming old lady (Katie Johnson), for their planning meetings before doing an armed robbery. Recently the classic movie was remade, set in the US instead, and with Tom Hanks in the lead role. A bleak copy of the original, I am sad to say.
The DVD of the orginal, is amazingly well done, considering its age (usually more modern DVDs have a better resolution, than older). I recommend this to anyone who likes Alex Guiness, and this is one of Alex Guiness's best, easily in class with his performance in 'Lavender Hill Mob'.
Movie Review: ...humor of the finest kind
Summary: 5 Stars
There is only one "The Ladykillers" and this is the British one from 1955 lensed by Alexander Mackendrick. It is definitely not the one remade in 2004 by Ethan and Joel Coen!
A charming and well worth watching criminal comedy of its best, with marker jokes, witty and imaginatively directed as well as brilliantly presented by Katie Johnson as Mrs. Wilberforce and Alec Guiness as professor Marcus. Especially the first half is full of ironic serving beautifully the comic of this first class movie. Although the 2nd part may not that speedy nor so full of pep the actors are covering this part generously by caricaturing the various characters extraordinarily well.
... a real jewel of classical, English gangster comedy about a cuddlesome grandma whom the gang found a hard nut to crack.
Movie Review: Watch this, not the remake!
Summary: 5 Stars
Alec Guinness is terrific here as the simpering, creepy criminal who uses a string quartet as a front for a huge theft. The base of operation for him and his fellow "musicians" is a room that he is renting in Mrs. Wilberforce's house. She's a kind, grandmotherly old lady who, in her own quiet and clueless way, manages to wreck all their plans.
The Ladykillers is a fantastic dark comedy; you might be shocked at how dark it can get, particularly when the frustrated criminals contemplate killing the old woman, an act made difficult by her age and general kindliness. The ending will have you hooting in delight and surprise. Really a great movie for those who savor irony and subtle humor, and who wish to see Alec Guinness in one of his greatest comedic roles.
Movie Review: Last of the brilliant Ealing comedies
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best (and last) of the Ealing comedies, it stars Alec Guinness as Professor Marcus, leader of a gang of thieves who use an unsuspecting dotty old lady (Katie Johnson) as part of their scheme in a robbery. It's her house that they use to mastermind the robbery, and though she may be oblivious to the real world around her, Johnson is certainly mistress of her domain and unwittingly brings the criminals down. The "gang" poses as a string quintet and when by accident Johnson discovers the robbery money in a cello case, they decide to bump her off. Fat chance: they end up disposing of each other. The movie is hilarious and dark at the same time, and Johnson is just terrific as Mrs. Wilberforce. Definitely worth a watch.
Movie Review: The Original Is Still the Best!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have any interest in the Golden Age of British comedies, this is the film to purchase. The story is a deliciously wicked comedy involving greedy, dim-witted gangsters renting a room from an unsuspecting and lonely old woman. Alec Guinness is pure genius as the mastermind of a major heist, and Peter Sellers shows a real comedy spark for this early role, however, the old lady ultimately steals the show as far as laughs.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of Tom Hanks and the Coen brothers, but their remake of this little gem was so horrible, I couldn't even make it all the way through (what's the deal with Hanks' unconvincing accent?). Do yourself a favor and get a copy of the original. You won't be disappointed!