The Fallen Idol (re-release)
The Fallen Idol (re-release) Image
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Michèle Morgan, Ralph Richardson
  • Summary: Adapted from Graham Greene's story "The Basement Room" this 1948 film is told from the perspective of a child.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    Of all the movies that try to take us into the mind and viewpoint of a child, Carol Reed's 1948 The Fallen Idol, adapted by Graham Greene from his short story, is one of the most ingenious.
  2. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    100
    Cinema does not get much better than this.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: David Parkinson
    80
    It might be lesser known, but certainly not deservingly so. This is a cracking piece of Brit cinema.
  4. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    50
    Graham Greene's screenplay is centered on the pivotal moment when a child first discovers sin, but the boy's perspective is neglected in favor of facile suspense structures and a thuddingly conventional whodunit finale.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. DQSlotkins
    10
    Another classic thiller from Carol Reed, director of The Third Man and Odd Man Out. I've been loving and waiting for this one to be released on DVD. Amazing film!… Expand
  2. JimW.
    9
    Excellent performance by Richardson, tight script & editing. Release print here in Atlanta has soundtrack problems that sometimes made it difficult to understand dialogue.… Expand
  3. RogerB.
    6
    Dull, slow moving movie. Can't believe, even a young kid would be as nieve and dumb as this kid. No one in the movie was exciting. Baines was a dullered. His girl friend was unbelievable. She was too young and pretty to be taken with the dullered Baines. The plot turned out more slapstick then suspenseful; but without the laughter.… Expand

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