Kind Hearts and Coronets

Things I value about this movie:

(a) it seems to me to be perfectly-formed. The plot is ridiculously complicated, and the first act (up to the first murder)is necessary to set all the wheels in motion - AND to set up black-comic the tone. Betya that these aspects - tone and construction - are what let any remake down.

(b) Alec Guinness's set-piece is exactly that - a superb piece of flashy stuff; and power to his elbow. But I would think that any of the great modern comics could do it again, in a suitable vehicle (Tony Randall had a try in "7 Faces of Dr. Lao", but he was miscast.) It's the surreal anti-realist lunacy of 8 frothing Guinnesses in such a dry movie that appeals - it's far more fun than the film would have been if all the D'Ascoynes had been played by different actors. I guess it's a classic conjuror's diversion - the suspension of disbelief required for this aspect carries over to the plot, and perhaps helps us get over our distaste for siding with a mass murderer. (I've never seen "Monsieur Verdoux", but it would make an interesting comparison).

(c) brilliant dialogue

(d) Joan Greenwood. An English Lulu.

(e) "Heart of darkness" does not begin to describe the moral universe of this movie. The only director working now who might understand it is Martin Scorcese, and he has no sense of humour.

STEVE DANBY