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The Horse's Mouth

Play trailer Poster for The Horse's Mouth Released Nov 11, 1958 1h 35m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Gulley Jimson (Alec Guinness) is a boorish aging artist recently released from prison. A swindler in search of his next art project, he hunkers down in the penthouse of would-be patrons the Beeders (Robert Coote, Veronica Turleigh) while they go on an extended vacation; he paints a mural on their wall, pawns their valuables and, along with the sculptor Abel (Richard Gough), inadvertently smashes a large hole in their floor. Jimson's next project is an even larger wall in an abandoned church.

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The Horse's Mouth

Critics Reviews

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Jonas Mekas Village Voice Being an actor of distinction, Guinness again creates a unique and very personal character -- a caricature of an artist and a genius that is at once comical, pitiable, and tragic. Jul 27, 2021 Full Review Kenneth Cavander Sight & Sound Perhaps the result would almost have been happier with less worthy intentions. Mar 18, 2020 Full Review Moira Walsh The Catholic World In the first place the hero’s adventures have an inspired slapstick quality such as screen comedy seldom achieves nowadays. Secondly... on occasion, [it is] quite moving as a study of the temperament of the artistic genius. Nov 28, 2023 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine The style is at times too farcical under Ronald Neame's direction but much of it is gorgeously funny. Oct 21, 2019 Full Review Isabel Quigly The Spectator A vigorous, inconclusive film -- for what could it possibly conclude? I feel pretty thankful for its inconclusions. Feb 15, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It smacks more of an Ealing low-brow whimsical comedy than anything more artistic. Rated: C+ Apr 7, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member It's not easy to make a comedy about the creative process and this film makes a valiant effort. It has its moments of hilarity, and the cast, led by Guinness (who wrote the screenplay) is top of the line. But if it strives for artistic integrity, the silliness sometimes gets in the way. However, it is fun to watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member More North Americans should see this classic film. This comedic romp is very British and seems to be well known in the United Kingdom, but did not make the transition to the shores of North America. The years have been no obstacle to this film, and it shows perfectly well today. Certainly, more Americans should be exposed to this classic movie, and unfortunately, there is only one way of doing it in today's world. Only Turner Classic Movies might play this movie (note: they did -- as a viewer request), but getting it into any type of rotation may prove difficult. The Bridge of the River Kwai is in a tight repetitive rotation and is shown every 2-3 weeks without fail. It's too bad this hilarious British movie can't be seen and appreciated by more North Americans. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review scott s Guinness is absolutely wonderful playing Gully Jimson. What I enjoyed about this film is how a scruffy, dirty painter has such a high art form. It makes you think about how much undiscovered talent is in our world because we focus to much on appearances than art. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review s r Guinness is brilliant. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A nice, light comedy, but an even nicer performance from Alec Guinness who really gets to grips with his volatile and angry artist, so much so we do see a flawed genius in his character. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Guinness plays a rude obnoxious artist who plans to paint a controversial mural. A 1950s banksy if you will Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Horse's Mouth

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Cast & Crew

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Ronald Neame

Director

Alec Guinness

Gulley Jimson

Kay Walsh

Dee Coker

Renee Houston

Sara Monday

Mike Morgan

Nosey

Robert Coote

Sir William Beeder

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The Horse's Mouth

The Horse's Mouth (1958) The Horse's Mouth (1958) The Horse's Mouth (1958) The Horse's Mouth (1958) The Horse's Mouth (1958) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Gulley Jimson (Alec Guinness) is a boorish aging artist recently released from prison. A swindler in search of his next art project, he hunkers down in the penthouse of would-be patrons the Beeders (Robert Coote, Veronica Turleigh) while they go on an extended vacation; he paints a mural on their wall, pawns their valuables and, along with the sculptor Abel (Richard Gough), inadvertently smashes a large hole in their floor. Jimson's next project is an even larger wall in an abandoned church.
Director
Ronald Neame
Producer
John Bryan
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Knightsbridge Films
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Runtime
1h 35m
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