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The Browning Version [1994]


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"You have obtained exactly what you deserved"
Review date: 2008-10-15 Rating: 8 out of 10

"You have obtained exactly what you deserved; no less, and certainly no more." Thus intones as his catchphrase the sadistic and soon-to-retire Mr Crocker-Harris (played wonderfully by Albert Finney), Head of Languages, at an English country boarding-school, in this adaptation, Milton Abbey in Dorset.

This is the man who finds it worthy of him to denigrate his pupils before their classmates, and whose idea of an end of term treat is to read an extract from Aeschylus's `Agamemnon'. (The title of the film, and of the play by Terence Rattigan from which it is adapted by Ronald Harwood, alludes to the translation of this ancient Greek classic by the nineteenth-century poet Robert Browning.) Crocker-Harris is so full of sarcasm and sadism that he is known throughout the school (except to himself) as `the Hitler of the lower fifth'. Finney plays the part perceptively, organising precisely the items on his school desk, walking with a gait that is slow but steadfast, always maintaining punctuality - or almost always.

But one cannot also help having some sympathy for the man. His wife (Greta Scacchi) does not understand his stoic philosophy of life and is cheating on him with another teacher (Matthew Modine). (When finally parting, Crocker-Harris stoicism is so extreme that he is more concerned that his beloved wife will miss her train.) He also carries a heart condition but refuses to play on it to gain his desires. And moreover the school's headmaster wants Crocker-Harris out, but begrudges having to provide him with a pension for all the years he has served the school. Unlike his fellow teachers, Crocker-Harris refuses to be phased by false status: in a school where academic prowess is not lauded as much as sporting achievement, he realises the value of books and true learning. To his replacement (played by Julian Sands) he states that, "A single success can atone for all the failures in the world" of teaching.

I will not spoil the plot by describing how and why Albert Finney's character finds himself eventually the centre of the school's adulation, but the transformation is perhaps a little too forced to be credible in this version. But when Crocker-Harris admits that by his actions he has "degraded the noblest calling a man can follow, the care and moulding of the young", the lesson is clear for all to learn.

Also starring Michael Gambon, Matthew Modine, and a very young Ben Silverstone (it was his first feature), this film could have benefited from a less pompous and a more considered denouement, but overall it is finely-acted and well-directed and can be recommended without demur.



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Reviews


Terrence Rattigan at his best
Review date: 2008-09-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

Terrence Rattigan at his best

It was only a few years ago that I was lucky enough to see the original version of this story in the 1951 film. It is interesting in that it was written by Terrence Rattigan. He was one of the playwrights that Jon Osborne was attempting to bash and overshadow when he became the original angry young man and produced Look Back in anger.

I suppose that Osborne disliked Rattigan because he was very successful and he could produce a well crafted story about the ruling classes and their manners and mores. This is a great story which has universal appeal. I don't agree with the critics who pick up on the details i.e. do they teach Latin and Greek anymore in public schools.

The story is really about someone on this occasion a school master who was a brilliant scholar and starts out with great enthusiasm to impart knowledge to the world but ends up ground down by the system. He marries a good looking women who cheats on him. He starts out being a figure of fun then a figure of fear as Hitler of the fifth form.

He has to retire early because of ill health and the play covers his latter days.The modern version is a bit too colourful whereas the original was in black and white. I somehow feel this is s black and white story. the dusty old teacher the old venerable public school with its traditions.

It is modernising with a new master coming to take over the language department and the dropping of Latin and Greek for the more useful languages of German French and Spanish. the ethos of these schools is that you were not there to actually learn anything useful but to be dedicated to the act of learning for its own sake. Crocker Harris was out of his time. The thing that he was feted for as s young man is now longer required. The sports master who is an ace at the annual boys/ master cricket match is going on to the become a professional cricketer but is totally inarticulate at his leaving speech.

They have sexed up the language by getting to the boys to swear and Mrs Crocker Harris to use the f word. it does nothing for the story. Greta Scacchi is obviously a bit more sexy than the original version but the original version was more shocking because everyone was so stiff upper lip and buttoned down. You have no trouble imagining Greta Scacchi shagging people.

Also in the original version the master she was having n affair with was a bit of a rogue where in this one Mathew Modine is just young and American. You have difficulty wondering why he would bother having it off with a fellow masters wife. There was obviously no change of them ever going off together s they were mismatched. she was dying for it and he wasn't particularly. Ii is interesting to see how he becomes horrified by her behaviour towards her husband. He is happy to knock around with his wife but he draws the line at humiliating him in public which is what she tries to do. He has some old fashioned standards.

You would have to be very hard hearted not to be moved when Taplow gives Crocker Harris a copy of the Browning Version of Aeschylus and he realises that he has succeeded with one person he has changed one persons life and made a difference.

The ending was good but the speech was a bit self pitying and ended abruptly and it was will she, wont she come back.

An outstanding film but it was the strength of the story and the acting by Albert Finney. I still think that the original with it being a black and white period piece about it is a stronger film.

It is an eternal story with the old guard being replaced by the new and happens everywhere and not particularly in old crusty public schools. It is happening all the time as we get older and get replaced at work by new work practices and people.

Highly recommended





Superb movie!
Review date: 2007-10-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

Of course, Finney needs no intro- especially with his BAFTA. As remakes go, this one is exceptionally good (compared to the 1951 original with Michael Redgrave). Acclaimed director Mike Figgis took an old fashioned setting & brilliantly updated it so that the story occurs in the present. The scenes were beautifully shot too. The key scene where the boy, Taplow gave Andrew Crocker-Harris (Finney) the gift of the book was actually a great improvement compared to the original. Thought provoking, truly first class acting & totally enjoyable. Well done Mike Figgis- another excellent example of skillful direction. Praise to Albert Finney too- few films these days carry such a dignified performance.

Finally
Review date: 2006-12-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have been waiting for this film to come out on DVD for what seems like ages, (its been available in US format for some time). Why ? It is a quiet understated film - Albert Finney plays the part of an old style schoolteacher who is put upon by his wife and school head. He wants to be successful with the boys but is teaching a 'boring' subject and in a 'boring manner'. Towards the end the touching gift he receives, (can't say from whom as it will spoil it), on the verge of his retirement makes him assess his life, his relationships and his 'raison d'etre'. A failure is how he assesses himself but he did touch the lifes of many of his pupils and in that he was successful. What you see in this film is a master craftsman at work, very understated but the wealth of emotions is contained in a face that was designed, (the teacher he plays), to never show emotion. A truly brilliant understated film from a great 'character' actor.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Greta Scacchi
Matthew Modine
Albert Finney
Michael Gambon
Julian Sands

Creators:
Albert Finney (Primary Contributor)
Matthew Modine (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437921130
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-03-05
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1994
Language: English (Original Language)

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