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The Wrong Box

Play trailer Poster for The Wrong Box 1966 1h 45m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
The Finsbury brothers, Masterman (John Mills) and Joseph (Ralph Richardson), are the last surviving members of a tontine that will pay a huge sum to whomever lives longest. Hoping to bankroll his feckless grandson Michael (Michael Caine), Masterman asks Joseph to visit with the intention of killing him. Meanwhile, Joseph has two scheming nephews (Dudley Moore, Peter Cook) who also want the money. When they think Joseph has died en route to seeing his brother, they attempt to cover it up.

Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine Some of the gags crumble on impact, others are stretched out like taffy, but there is enough fun left over to leave most moviegoers happily wallowing in greed, sex, homicide, body snatching and other nefarious diversions. Apr 21, 2010 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Mills amusingly hams his way through two or three sequences as one of the dying brothers. Richardson, bland, imperturable old bore, is superb. He and Wilfrid Lawson, portraying a decrepit butler, virtually carry away the acting honors. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times Some sections and bits are funnier than others. Some are labored and dull. It is that sort of story, that sort of comedy. But it adds up to a lively lark. Rated: 3/4 May 9, 2005 Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope It is a farce with a lot of class and style, carried off with some brilliant acting. It also has what most films with idiot plots lack, restraint, subtlety and sly wit. Rated: B Nov 5, 2011 Full Review TV Guide All of the smaller roles are deliciously cast, with several of the best comic actors England had to offer in that decade, a heyday of British humor. Rated: 3/4 Apr 21, 2010 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Mildly amusing silly black comedy set in Victorian England. Rated: B- Jun 3, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RG C Wonderful acting by a wonderful array of top actors and lesser known ones. I am an admirer of John Mills, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook and some of the others. We've lost them all! However from the entire cast I judge Wilfred Lawson's butler character a truly superb and memorable performance (he died months later in the same year, aged 66). Also much praise is deserved by Bryan Forbes, director for getting fine performances out of the actors. The music is also lovely and amusing, especially in the starry eyed love scenes featuring Nanette Newman and Michael Caine . I hope to watch THE WRONG BOX several more times. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/09/25 Full Review keith b I loved it,quirky eccentric different British humour. Just look at the depth of cast ,Bryan Forbes director John Barry score. Not that talent around anymore! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review nick s It's a brand of humour that might tickle the boomers but it's lost on me. Timing wasn't really there and neither was the snappy/offbeat delivery. Perhaps more suited to stage. At least they looked like they were enjoying themselves. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/09/24 Full Review Audience Member Fond memories of when film comedy was funny and family friendly without being dumb. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Very clever typical Brit comedy of that era. Completely entertaining and easy to watch multiple times. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Increasingly tiresome comedy vehicle centred around the fight to win the proceeds from a will. A good, eclectic cast of comedians and respected thesps, some occasionally witty lines/sequences, plush production design, but unfortunately it's just not very funny. I defy anyone to unravel the plot, but it's nice to see the likes of Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Peter Sellers, Ralph Richardson, John Mills, Wilfrid Lawson, Tony Hancock et al sharing screen time at least. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Wrong Box

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Cast & Crew

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Bryan Forbes

Director

John Mills

Masterman Finsbury

Ralph Richardson

Joseph Finsbury

Michael Caine

Michael Finsbury

Nanette Newman

Julia Finsbury

Peter Cook

Morris Finsbury

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The Wrong Box

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Movie Info

Synopsis The Finsbury brothers, Masterman (John Mills) and Joseph (Ralph Richardson), are the last surviving members of a tontine that will pay a huge sum to whomever lives longest. Hoping to bankroll his feckless grandson Michael (Michael Caine), Masterman asks Joseph to visit with the intention of killing him. Meanwhile, Joseph has two scheming nephews (Dudley Moore, Peter Cook) who also want the money. When they think Joseph has died en route to seeing his brother, they attempt to cover it up.
Director
Bryan Forbes
Producer
Bryan Forbes, Larry Gelbart, Burt Shevelove
Production Co
Columbia
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Stereo