The Servant 12A

This film was proposed by our member Nicholas Ahlmark, who writes: 'November 2023 will mark the 60 year anniversary of the release of The Servant, written by Harold Pinter, directed by Jospeh Losey and starring Dirk Bogarde. I believe this is one of the best British films ever made and it’s important that we remember and celebrate it.'

Adapted by celebrated playwright Harold Pinter from a story by Robin Maugham, The Servant sees spoiled young aristocrat Tony (James Fox) carelessly recruit a servant, Barrett (Dirk Bogarde), whose deferential demeanour belies the resentment, ambition and even sadism that will see him incrementally seek to assume Tony’s position for himself. Explicitly class-conscious, The Servant plays out as a savage struggle for power, with property, sex, and social assurance both the weapons and the prizes. Sarah Miles as Barrett’s ‘sister’ and Wendy Craig as Tony’s girlfriend are convincing, but it’s foppish Fox and slippery Bogarde who dominate, their conflict depicted in director Joseph Losey’s precisely constructed compositions.

Pinter and American émigré Losey went on to collaborate on Accident (1967) and The Go-Between (1970).

Please note, the screening on Tuesday 10 October is our Free Members' Screening. The screening the following week, on Tuesday 17 October is a regular screening.

To propose your own screening, log into your member account to visit the Members’ Area.

Cast:
Dirk Bogarde, James Fox, Sarah Miles