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Sparrows Can't Sing

Play trailer Poster for Sparrows Can't Sing 1963 1h 34m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
When a British merchant seaman (James Booth) returns home after two years, he finds his wife (Barbara Windsor) living with a married bus driver.

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Tom Milne Sight & Sound It all bounces along at a fair old pace, but the sum of its parts adds up to no more than the sum of its parts... But at least it does surest. Mar 17, 2020 Full Review Kate Muir Times (UK) A baby-voiced, buxom, battling Barbara Windsor stars in all her glory in this warm-yer-cockles Cockney drama that borders on panto at times. Rated: 4/5 Oct 5, 2015 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Booth is a striking personality, a punchy blend of toughness, potential evil and irresistible charm. Feb 23, 2012 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Even for people weary of Britain's kitchen-sink school of realism on the screen, this impudent Cockney comedy can be recommended as lively entertainment. Oct 7, 2019 Full Review Dwight MacDonald Esquire Magazine The pace is jaunty, nothing is underlined or lingered over, the touch is light. [Director Joan Littlewood] has thrown a dozen Dickensian oddballs into the pot, stirred vigorously, and served up the mixture piping hot. Jul 11, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
StephenPaul C LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 34 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Utterly charming kitchen sink comedy-drama, beautifully performed by stalwarts of Theatre Workshop, most of whom later became famous TV stars. Joan Littlewood should have directed more films. Ray (the excellent James Booth) returns from two years at sea to an East End that has changed out of recognition: tower blocks have replaced the demolished tenements and his missus (Barbara Windsor, never better) has moved in with a bus driver. Shot in pristine black-and-white in actual locations, it zips along and offers a poignant and unsentimental snapshot of a way of life that has all but vanished. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Priceless glimpse of London after the war. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member I don't think anyone would confuse this with a staggering work of genius but l found it fascinating and enjoyable. It was intended as an East End slice of life and it is that, in a cartoony sort of way. But it is a world which has completely disappeared which makes for the fascination. The enjoyment comes from the wonderful performances, especially the amazing Barbara Windsor. She has played lovable and slightly dim cockney sparrers all her life but with a sharper script to work with she shows what a great actress she is. Hard to believe nearly 60 years later she is doing the same thing. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sparrows Can't Sing

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Cast & Crew

Bank Holiday 83% 38% Bank Holiday Watchlist Ashby 52% 49% Ashby Watchlist TRAILER for Ashby Youth 72% 69% Youth Watchlist TRAILER for Youth One More Time 52% 25% One More Time Watchlist TRAILER for One More Time Dough 53% 57% Dough Watchlist TRAILER for Dough Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis When a British merchant seaman (James Booth) returns home after two years, he finds his wife (Barbara Windsor) living with a married bus driver.
Director
Joan Littlewood
Screenwriter
Joan Littlewood, Stephen Lewis
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 34m