The Fallen Idol

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The Fallen Idol

Released Sep 30, 1948

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

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100%

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35 Reviews

88%

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1,000+ Ratings

The young son of a diplomat, Phillipe (Bobby Henrey), often finds himself alone. To entertain the boy, the household butler, Baines (Ralph Richardson), creates adventurous stories of his past. As a result, Phillipe idolizes the servant, seeing him as a hero. But when Baines' wife (Sonia Dresdel) falls to her death, the police believe Baines was behind it. Phillipe, who witnessed the event, will do anything to protect the butler -- but he only makes things worse by doing so.

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Fallen Idol finds innocence and inquisitiveness at odds with corruption, violence, desire, deceit - all the stuff that grown-ups trade in.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 10, 2016

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Alan Scherstuhl

Village Voice

The Fallen Idol stands as one of the great films about looking, about perspective, about the way we watch and interpret not just film plots but each other.

May 25, 2016

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

As a portrait of the sometime destructiveness of innocence and as a sharp fresco of post-war Britain, this movie is a little masterpiece, an idol that has never fallen.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 25, 2006

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Although Reed's auteurism has been debated and doubted, The Fallen Idol underscores several recurrent motifs in his career.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 14, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It's all quite moving and nerve-wracking - and believable.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 5, 2020

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PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

One of the movies' great treatises on the projection and (ultimate) limitations of a child's inner-world.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 24, 2018

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J.A. W

Most beautiful cinematography, perfect pacing and a brilliant adaptation of Greene's fascinating story. Set in the French embassy in London, it features a stellar performance from little Bobby Henery as the innocent young boy whose parents are both away, leaving him in the care of the English butler, (Ralph Richardson) and his cruel wife. Until recently I was only watching modern movies as I felt the old ones would be too full of outdated attitudes for my taste. I now realise that visual quality and great talent doesn't have a date stamp.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Lawrence F

What a terrific movie! The movie begins slowly then storms full speed ahead by the end. The pacing is deliberate and captivating. Initially it seemed like a comedy about a lonely child, but progressed into a suspenseful mode. The acting and dialogue were superb. Unusual story, screen play, and plot/character development. Highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

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Steve D

Ok bur not worth the hype.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

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Blobbo X

Not a Hitchcock, but what is? Nicely done, and very well-acted by the young boy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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charles d

Carol Reed directed, but you'da thought it was Hitchcock. Terrific photography, top-flight acting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Another excellent companion piece to Carol Reed's " The 3rd Man" And "Odd man out" This Noir contains an air of mystery, Secrets and lies along side innocent bystanders . A young boy gets caught in the middle of infidelity, confrontation and misunderstandings. Being taught one must never tell lies he wants to do right by his Idol ,the Butler. A man known for spinning stories and tall tales ,ropes himself into a murder accusation. As the Police investigation gets heated everyone's moral values for truth and justice are put to the test. I wouldn't want to spoil this ending, Therefore I highly recommend you watch it to discover the secrets for yourselves.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Carol Reed

Director

Ralph Richardson

Baines

Michèle Morgan

Julie

Bobby Henrey

Phillipe

Sonia Dresdel

Mrs. Baines

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Synopsis

The young son of a diplomat, Phillipe (Bobby Henrey), often finds himself alone. To entertain the boy, the household butler, Baines (Ralph Richardson), creates adventurous stories of his past. As a result, Phillipe idolizes the servant, seeing him as a hero. But when Baines' wife (Sonia Dresdel) falls to her death, the police believe Baines was behind it. Phillipe, who witnessed the event, will do anything to protect the butler -- but he only makes things worse by doing so.

Director: Carol Reed
Producer: Carol Reed
Screenwriter: Graham Greene, Lesley Storm, William Templeton
Distributor: Selznick International Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: London Film Production, British Lion Film Corporation
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 1948, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Feb 10, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.1K
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Mono