Kind Hearts and Coronets

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Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 5 days ago From the days when Britain had a film industry of its own. Latterly, many a famous movie has been made in the UK, with British technicians, but the stars, the glamour, and the profits, all sail home to the USA. I wonder if Americans are really alert to just how many of their favourite films were shot in the UK, and/or featured British production expertise? Did you know, for instance, that Full Metal Jacket was made on location in England, certainly not the USA or Vietnam? Anyways, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a brilliant black comedy, with an excellent performance by Dennis Price (as the malevolent schemer) and a succession of brilliant performances by Alec Guinness (playing all his victims). Will he achieve his diabolical ends? Check it out. A masterclass in acting and the macabre. See more Rafi M @RT61647557 Sep 11, 2026 Alec Guinness [Obi Wan Kenobi!] playing eight different people in a movie he narrates? And he kills them off one by one?!? For this ingenious trope alone, this is a must-see film. The wicked, dark humor, elegant, sophisticated, wry English, the side-glances and subterfuge, lush outfits and scenery, and deft ending are side dishes that distinguish this masterpiece of classic film-making. [See the English, un-sanitized version] See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Jul 10, 2026 Best be taken as a darkly humorous socialite satire that effectively elicited few laughs thanks to Price’s elegant performance whilst Guiness’ roles validate this more as a talented showcase over a thinly disconnected plot that disengages in a form of lengthy, worthwhile joke. (B) See more Kim P @RT98672688 Mar 23, 2026 Narrated by Guinness' character throughout, the story and motivations are easy to follow. But for those easily offended, two characters throw around the N word pretty carelessly, 3 or 4 times. If it's any consolation, it's used in the more vulgar version of the Eenie, meenie, miney, moe rhyme and isn't directed with malice towards an actual character. Just a warning about an uncomfortable few moments near the conclusion of an otherwise very well done film. See more Matthew D @OceanSage Mar 3, 2026 Dennis Price’s devious serial killer is so clever and entertaining, while Alec Guinness portraying all eight of the rich family members is hilarious. Joan Greenwood’s seductive femme fatale is a sultry scream! Director Robert Hamer’s British crime-comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) is an excellent English classic of cinema. Hamer’s playful proper direction is very amusing. Writers John Dighton and Robert Hamer’s adaptation of Roy Horniman’s use of refined English manners that mines so much humor here. Dennis Price is delightful as the suave and clever British serial killer Louis Mazzini. Alec Guinness is hysterical as all eight rich members of the D'Ascoyne family. Valerie Hobson is lovely as the nice aristocrat lady Edith D'Ascoyne. Joan Greenwood steals the film as the gorgeous, hilarious, and conniving Sibella Hallward. She really feels brilliant and always has the upper hand on Louis. In all, Kind Hearts and Coronets is an easy watch for a surprisingly upbeat black comedy. See more Navid S. @navidshah94 Nov 7, 2025 Brilliantly written and wonderfully acted, but not really the comedy I expected. It felt more like a dark and tragic satire than something meant to be funny. The story of Louis calmly murdering his way up the family tree is fascinating, and the ending was perfect in its irony. A sharp, elegant film about ambition, hypocrisy, and the cruelty behind manners. See more Read all reviews

Kind Hearts and Coronets

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