It was the sixties-you have to embrace that-perfect example of the creative kinkiness that pervaded that era. The set production is beyond and captures what was cool back then- that house is so cool- the green Rolls coming into the house was a hoot-the actors are spot on -it is a pure joy to watch them frolic through this movie.
When choosing to adapt this film, why would you throw away many of the gifts (easy wins, five-yard tap-ins, call them what you will) that Waugh's novel offers the film-maker? The dialogue sparkles on the page, and the set pieces come thick and fast, but the film misses much of the good stuff out, particularly early on in the action, or simply botches it.
This is a film that deserves to be available on DVD or at least on VHS because it's a reasonable--not great, but reasonable--attempt at bringing Waugh's delicious novel to the screen. It shows its basis in the 60s clearly, and the acting talent walks through the production (although these are actors who by and large are incapable of doing a BAD job, they could certainly do better) without exerting themselves unduly.
I saw this when it came out in 1968 in London and decided it was time to see it again. Much of its humour has faded because things have changed so much, and much of it was also over-rated at the time, I can now see.
I'd missed this when it was given a U.S.
I love Evelyn Waugh's writing and have read a lot of biographies and critical works plus seen various films and TV adaptations. I only found out about this film recently and bought the DVD on Amazon.
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