Rent An Inspector Calls (1954)

Poetic Realism (spoiler). - An Inspector Calls review by Steve

First- and best- film version of JB Priestley's classic socialist play about the cruel exploitation and degradation of a working class girl (Jane Wenham). Admittedly the writer is better at the dramatic design than the dialogue, which is merely functional. But the structure of the plot is phenomenal.

In his signature performance, Alastair Sim plays a police inspector who visits the home of a factory owner, not so much to investigate, but to identify the guilt and hypocrisy of each member of this wealthy, entitled family in the suicide of the vulnerable young woman who crossed all their lives.

The newly scripted flashbacks work very well, but otherwise the film takes place in a single room, dealing mostly in speech, like the play. There's a well chosen cast with Wenham the clear standout. The only weakness is the screenplay blunts the political bite of the stage version.

Instead, it develops the supernatural theme, which is very spooky indeed. The climactic twist is a heartstopper. The play was prescient in the new Britain of 1945 and regained cachet in the 1980s as a riposte to the concept that there is no such thing as society. But it is a timeless- and spellbinding- moral tale.

Relevant Today - An Inspector Calls review by GH

Excellent performances. Alister Sim was outstanding. Set before the Great War it’s about grotesque inequalities - of wealth, of opportunity, of employment, of gender, of attitudes towards those less privileged. And nothing much has really changed. The fundamental inequalities still remain, much to our shame. 

Classic Mystery Story - An Inspector Calls review by GI

A classic mystery film based on the play by J.B. Priestley. The inimitable Alastair Sim plays the mysterious Inspector Poole who arrives at the upper class house of the Birling family during their dinner and begins to ask questions regarding a young girl who has just died. This is film rich in character, dark & guilty secrets and delves into issues, differences and attitudes of English class . It has a sharp twist and is superbly scripted; a film about moral and social responsibility and whilst it may appear a little dated today it's still a real gem and a film to seek out if you've never seen it.