X
- 1956
- Not Rated
- Continental Distributing
- 1 h 31 m
- 1956
- Not Rated
- Continental Distributing
- 1 h 31 m
Summary Five diverse oddball criminal types planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.
Directed By: Alexander Mackendrick
Written By: William Rose, Jimmy O'Connor
- 1956
- Not Rated
- Continental Distributing
- 1 h 31 m
- 1956
- Not Rated
- Continental Distributing
- 1 h 31 m
The Ladykillers
91
7.7
Where to Watch
Summary Five diverse oddball criminal types planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.
Directed By: Alexander Mackendrick
Written By: William Rose, Jimmy O'Connor
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
91
100% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
91
100% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
It's a film with jazz in its bones and rhythm to its beats.
The last of the comedies produced by the Ealing Studios, and one of the finest, with a supremely dark tone which makes a climactic series of murders as hilarious as they are grotesque.
Near flawless.
This sinister black comedy of murder accelerates until it becomes a grotesque fantasy of murder. The actors seem to be having a boisterous good time getting themselves knocked off.
Perhaps it is slightly labored. Perhaps it does have the air of an initially brilliant inspiration that has not worked out as easily as it seemed it should. Still and all, Mr. Rose's nimble writing and Alexander Mackendrick's directing skill have managed to assure The Ladykillers of a distinct and fetching comic quality.
A finely wrought image of terminal stasis, national, political (Charles Barr suggests the gang as the first post-war Labour government), and/or creative (the house as Ealing, Johnson as Balcon?). Whatever, Mackendrick immediately upped for America and the equally dark ironies of Sweet Smell of Success.
This is an amusing piece of hokum, being a parody of American gangsterdom interwoven with whimsy and exaggeration that makes it more of a macabre farce. Alec Guinness sinks his personality almost to the level of anonymity.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 User Ratings
7.7
100% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 User Ratings
7.7
100% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company
The Rank Organisation,
Ealing Studios,
Michael Balcon Productions
Release Date Feb 20, 1956
Duration 1 h 31 m
Rating Not Rated
Tagline Meet "The Unholy Five"...The Most Befuddled Set of Assorted Thugs That Ever Fouled Up a Million Dollar Bank Robbery!!
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
FOCAL International Awards
• 1 Nomination
