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The Servant

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90% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
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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The Servant

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 09/10/2021
4/5
The drama is masterfully done and exquisitely played... Go to Full Review
TIME Staff TIME Magazine 04/08/2020
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. Go to Full Review
John Russell Taylor Sight & Sound 04/08/2020
Even at his worst Losey is never dull, and here he is pretty consistently at his best. Go to Full Review
Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film 08/09/2024
4.5/5
Its theme of roles’ reversal, intriguing character studies and subtle politics of power and control make it one of Britain’s most memorable cinematic creations. Go to Full Review
Penelope Gilliatt Observer (UK) 03/07/2024
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. Go to Full Review
James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk 10/06/2023
3/4
a twisted, dark, and wildly unpredictable psychodrama Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Garry A @heavyg Sep 12 It moves slowly but it's interesting. The man servant betrays his employer and in a weird twist it takes a homoerotic twist. It's a very subversive ending. See more Cheryl S Jun 10 Never had heard of this movie but after watching most of it I had to see the ending. This is not my kind of movie, thus the 3 stars. But it does get 5 stars on the portrayal of the sickness of mankind The acting and cinematography were good, I just don’t like dark and macabre type of human dynamics and self destructive tactics albeit they do depict reality in its most guttural degrading form, and in that context the movie was a success. The director did a superb job in portraying layers of abusive elements of the human psyche and showing how self serving we are at the expense of anybody. I related to the Servant because of a job I held for many years catering to the elites’s whims and I am thankful I didn’t reduce myself to such sinister behavior that consumes a soul, nor did I want to live in their world. It can be a condescending place to be but not enough for me to seek manipulation and soak my mindset in bitterness. See more Alec B 12/08/2024 The movie has been subjected to a lot of superficial readings that analyze the themes as a fairly straightforward criticism of English class dynamics. This is understandable but that misses a lot of other dynamics at play (the barely contained homoerotic undertones, the ways men and women try to control each other, an examination of the profound weirdness of the master/servant dynamic, etc.) and this is definitely a movie that should not be reduced to simplistic readings. See more Davide l 03/16/2023 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. See more Shioka O 01/12/2023 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. See more 12/04/2022 this movie does not seem like it was made in the 60's. See more Read all reviews
The Servant

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Movie Info

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, Joseph Losey
Producer
Joseph Losey, Norman Priggen
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
Runtime
1h 55m