The Servant

Released Mar 16, 1964

1 hr. 57 min.

Drama

List

90%

51 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Posh Tony (James Fox) hires the seemingly proper and very attentive Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) as his manservant. Soon Tony's lady friend, Susan (Wendy Craig) disapproves of the ever-unflappable Barrett, which causes a strain in the couple's relationship. When Barrett's "sister" Vera (Sarah Miles) arrives to stay, the situation descends into depravity, with the servant vying to become the new master of the house.

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Critics Consensus

Thanks in no small part to stellar work from director Joseph Losey and screenwriter Harold Pinter, The Servant strikes at class divisions with artful precision.

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Davide l

Reminiscent of Gaslight's early and valiant attempt at describing and highlighting particular oddities arising in the constrained human dynamics of living in boxes and depending on money for a living.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

Full Review

Shioka O

Classy drama about UK class corruption. Beautifully filmed and meticulously directed. Great acting by British actors, particularly by Bogarde, showing he can do anything. It's slow and I half slept until the middle, but gripping after that twist revealing Barrett's desire.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this movie does not seem like it was made in the 60's.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Darkly, subversively, insubordinate, this is a film that challenges the orthodox as a servant preys on the mental fragilities of his employer in order to usurp him. No doubt regarded as sinisterly challenging in its day, it still has a lot to say.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

martin a

I found this film rather creepy, but very well acted

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

william d

Well, that was different. I like different.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Joseph Losey

Director

Dirk Bogarde

Hugo Barrett

James Fox

Tony

Sarah Miles

Vera

Wendy Craig

Susan

Catherine Lacy

Lady Mounset

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The drama is masterfully done and exquisitely played...

Rated: 4/5

Sep 10, 2021

Full Review

TIME Staff

TIME Magazine

The film on its most meaningful level is acid splashed into the wound of class distinction. But it is best enjoyed simply as a slick, spooky, frequently spellbinding study of corruption.

Apr 8, 2020

Full Review

John Russell Taylor

Sight & Sound

Even at his worst Losey is never dull, and here he is pretty consistently at his best.

Apr 8, 2020

Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

Observer (UK)

The thing that is most exhilarating about the film is that it has been written by someone who is obviously excited by the cinema and made by someone who obviously respects words.

Mar 7, 2024

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

a twisted, dark, and wildly unpredictable psychodrama

Rated: 3/4

Oct 6, 2023

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A rather intriguing psychological drama about power relations and the vertical line of social classes. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Jun 15, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Posh Tony (James Fox) hires the seemingly proper and very attentive Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) as his manservant. Soon Tony's lady friend, Susan (Wendy Craig) disapproves of the ever-unflappable Barrett, which causes a strain in the couple's relationship. When Barrett's "sister" Vera (Sarah Miles) arrives to stay, the situation descends into depravity, with the servant vying to become the new master of the house.

Director: Joseph Losey
Screenwriter: Harold Pinter
Distributor: Landau Releasing Organization (LRO)
Production Co: Elstree, Springbok Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 16, 1964, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 11, 2022
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.7K