The Fallen Idol (re-release)

Name: The Fallen Idol (re-release)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: February 10, 2006
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 88
Cast: Michèle Morgan, Ralph Richardson

2006

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 12 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	Your Score
7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Selznick Releasing Organization | Release Date: February 10, 2006

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.

Director: Carol Reed

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Runtime: 95 min

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Awards & Rankings

7	#7 Best Movie of 2006

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Critic Reviews

100

Washington Post - Ann Hornaday

This is an example of a writer and director working in perfect harness, with Reed smoothly ratcheting up the story's suspense and Greene speculating on his cardinal theme of moral ambiguity. They don't make movies like The Fallen Idol anymore, all the more reason to see it now while you can. Read full review

100

L.A. Weekly - John Patterson

One of the great movies about childhood innocence accidentally violated by adults...Reed, an often inconsistent filmmaker, handles the brutal mechanics of the plot superbly, with the marbled interiors of the embassy contrasting sharply with his almost neo-realist outdoor shots of postwar London. Read full review

100

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - William Arnold

Cinema does not get much better than this. Read full review

Salon - Andrew O'Hehir

This is a fine example of British commercial filmmaking at its highest level of craftsmanship. Read full review

Village Voice - J. Hoberman

The Fallen Idol has been overshadowed by the noir comedy, giddy style, and Cold War thematics of Reed and Greene's subsequent sensation "The Third Man," but (in similarly dealing with the nature of betrayal) The Fallen Idol is actually a superior psychological drama. Read full review

Boston Globe - Ty Burr

Formally, the movie's a lasting pleasure: Reed's incisive direction; Greene's easy yet weighted dialogue; the farseeing deep-focus photography of Georges Perinal; Vincent Korda's luxuriant sets. Read full review

Chicago Reader - Dave Kehr

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

DQSlotkins

Apr 15, 2006

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!

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JimW.

Jun 19, 2006

Excellent performance by Richardson, tight script & editing. Release print here in Atlanta has soundtrack problems that sometimes made it difficult to understand dialogue.

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buddhalou

Jan 9, 2019

If ever there was an argument in favor of smacking a kid, I give you Philippe - the most annoying child on film.

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RogerB.

Jul 16, 2006

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 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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