I miss the 1970s. When production value and broadcasting allowed for quiet pause and contemplation. Today the world moves much too fast for comprehension. From the instant gratification of social media and its dumbing down comforts of it. Newcomers under 40s have no idea what they missed.
I get it. And thank you. It's quite nice to read a comment that's simply nostalgic without laying waste to new art, music, etc. Though I'm their age and beyond, I mean those who transmit the equivalent of, well Luddites. (Albeit ones who have no qualms using technology that enables them to complain at warp speed.) Here's to irony. And, because they suddenly popped into my head, here's to the scent of violets, the sound of old trains, hand fans and pinwheels just for the sparkling non-electric joy of it. Paz y luz ✨️
In those days TV was still in it's infancy and was highly influenced by theatre. These early TV shows do have a live theatrical quality to them. TV now is completely it's own medium. I do love the dramatic sense of these old shows but there's been some amazing TV made in the last years as well.
@@timelordvictorious Come now. You have to admit that the unraveling that is happening today, is not at all what was happening in the 70s. Everything has become black or white, with no gray area. Been going on for some 20 years now and the pandemic just accelerated it. Idiocracy comes to.mind. We no longer adhere to shared values and standards. In fact many have contempt for them now. We can’t trust our media to be truthful. They have divided us using race and religion. When Its not the problem. It is the government. We are at Crisis level I’m afraid. And to deny that is being disingenuous to say the least. I’ll take the 70s over this mess.
Harold Pinter has the gift of presenting the emptiness and pretence of human importance in speech and actions in so many varieties of forms. Indeed, it seems that our present civilization with a claim to high evolution, remains much in the control of childish men proud of wealth and professional status, merely a collection of people, rather than of unique personal individuation.
@Super Amanda Malcom McDowell was really good in Time After Time (1979) a movie I discovered about a year ago. Alan Bates is a good actor too, he was great in The Rose (1979).
What an absolutely amazing cast and great playwright/play, just wish the direction was a bit better. But wow, what a brilliant cast - Olivier, Mirren, Bates, McDowell, all together! Superb!
+tacman1974 I've always wanted to see a good stage production of this film. A very similar film/play is titled "The Shadowbox" and I've seen the great film with Joann Woodward and Christopher Plummer and several stage adaptations of it...and I suggest this film to you since you like this film here. ...And this film here is an excellent teleplay by these excellent actors here in this film who are also known for their great stage work.
The thing about Pinter is he used to write all his best lines on the bus. Either he overheard them or he made them up himself. I know this for a fact because I used to cut his hair. When he wasn’t looking...
In this dramatic classic masterpiece, the 4 actors make up a perfect square of acting genius,but it all goes back to Mr Pinter's theatrical writing in which the language captivates the listener more than the events acted out .Such a nice chance to see some of the greatest actors in British theatre ,TV and film.
Am l a dog to be chased with a stick? The actors do well, but what a terrible plot! bizarre how many commenters think otherwise. The Emperors new clothes.
This was actually shown on CBS. Can you even imagine that today? At the time Olivier said this was "the most beautiful" piece he'd ever been involved with. A TV production professor I knew used it in his classes; he'd introduce it by saying "I don't know how to define great acting, but here's some."
The most powerful (and uncomfortable) part of this play was how the power (and menace) of each character fluctuated throughout; incredible to think tension can be created and maintained this way
I came of age in these years so remember them fondly, minus the harsher events of those times. Like any other era, it was good and bad mixed, but I have to say the language still had some elegance when it came to most literature and theater and people, for the most part, behaved a trifle more civilized for lack of a better descriptor. Certainly not this Brave New World.
Pinter is for sophisticated, intelligent people. Others will not like him, not enough violence, action, or understand what he is doing. I hate to sound so prissy, but it is true.
@@brucerobbins3584 Wow, there's plenty of violence. It's all psychological, though. All the microaggressions of "polite" talk. Really love this play. Superb performances.
The homoerotic subtext, if it can be called that, is a bit over-the-top if not gratingly obvious - the cheese knives bit is a bit cheesy - though no doubt for 1960, when the work was written, it may not have been as readily transparent for mainstream audiences who saw it performed. Still, a surprisingly forward-thinking scenario that gives us a gay and straight couple interacting without plodding moral commentary. Pinter was well ahead of the curve as a social observer; his metaphors less so.
Last few lines: "we just talked about it... For two hours... Did nothing". That was this play! "You didn't do anything did you?". Right! I've spent an entire hour watching superb acting about... NOTHING.
10/2023:Most interesting. I've always thought that Helen is lovely. This is the youngest that I have seen her I think. I first saw Malcolm in Clockwork Orange, the nite before I entered the USAF back in 1972. One of my favourite movies of all time. Very Good Acting by all. Thank You for posting this excellent play. Something new for me to enjoy. Best Regards.
ALL of these Harold Pinter Plays have a maternal character who reminds me of Edith Bunker, from “Archie Bunker.” And ALL of the males misogynists who feel like latent and/or closet homosexuals. So far I’ve watched 3 the line “come here” and a strange and uncomfortable scene with one man “blowing” in another man’s mouth has been in EVERY ONE. Feels like Pinter grew up with overbearing Mother & if not openly gay was closeted gay man back in the day. Shots of Malcolm McDowell between man’s legs. It appears SO OBVIOUS NOW in 2024.
Slum Slug - first I'm going to use this. Second--I can't believe how many comments got this wrong--he didn't say snail. He said slug. SLUm SLUg. That's what makes it good. You slum slugs.
Alan Bates had a perfect nose, such a silly and shallow observation, but I don't think I've ever seen a finer snout! His Claudius (Gibson's Hamlet) and Michael Henchard (Potter's The Mayor of Casterbridge) are well worth a look, if viewers want to see more of this much-missed actor.
So many revealed, spoken and unspoken thoughts, vulnerabilities and emotions. What a marvellous cast to show us them all. Cruelty, control, provocation and domination are central motivations. The baton of power gets passed from character to character at different times. I thoroughly enjoyed it although feel Bates' character's concession in the final scene was totally incongruous.
He was looking to Helen Mirren's character to draw a line under the wretched episode, but she wasn't willing to bring closure: out of spite, duplicity, connivance, vulnerability, pride? - The vicious cycle continues. Irresolution seems an apt conclusion.
I've re-watched this many times since finding it a couple of years back. The wife of the clothing shop owner is the least realized in this but maybe she was meant to be. I think the absolute best part of this was when Olivier dives in off screen but his voice heard like a jump cut and saves Malcolm from probably getting killed because it really looked like Bates was going there but he was just giddy over the fact that he could easily toy with Malcolm. Olivier's monologue about Malcolm being from the wrong side of the tracks and therefore can't help but cause trouble and comparing him to a slug has a real vicious sting to it. The way Olivier went back and forth from hating and feeling sorry for Malcolm simultaneously was some really amazing acting. Just from his monologue in this scene, I get why Olivier gets so much love. Can never get enough of Malcolm's big shiny eyes!
The acting is good , but the fact is that Pinter and his script are complete bores...he takes far too long to get to nowhere in plot or in dialogue...utterly dull...it's a no from me
I'm usually acutely attentive to every word of Harold Pinter's and grateful that he makes no attempt to soothe me, to reassure me. We humans are so generous with the complex misunderstandings we have, i.e. lies we tell ourselves. I am grateful for all the works of Harold Pinter and his Collection.
there's a little Pinter in Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The language games, the torture. "I'll bet you're a wow at parties." "I wouldn't say I'm a wow."
Pinter was a bit like Jack the Ripper in that they both got away with murder. I think that Pinter was a bit off form in this play in that you could tell what was going on. Make it deliberately vague and people will find their own meaning and feel rewarded with smugness.
Interesting to read the critical comments here from folk who think this is equivalent to the emperor’s new clothes. The thing is, with social evolution, Art has to evolve too, push boundaries, shine a new light, challenge. Otherwise it stagnates. You can watch Whitehall farces until the cows come home, but essentially they are repetitive and superficial. Pinter wasn’t the only playwright where ‘nothing happens’ In fact, if you get involved, the reverse is the case. The best art always asks the spectator to work too! Just a point of view...
I’m an old man now. Was first introduced to Pinter’s work about 50 years ago. His plays never seem to become stale or dated. I suspect the reason for that is that over the years I’ve matured and bring more to the table so to speak. As you suggest, his plays invite the viewer (reader) to participate in some undefined way.
@@dafunkfiend. The Caretaker was awful! I did watch it all the way through but only because it’s a classic, so I thought I ought to see it at least once, from an educational point of view.
What the hell was all that about? People don't talk like that! Is it some parallel universe occupied by weirdos? If someone talked to me the way the Alan Bates character talks, he'd never get over my threshold. Who on earth would tolerate him? Who'd tolerate his refusal to answer questions? Who'd tolerate his olives BS? The behaviour of all the characters is completely disconnected from reality. The ending was as weird as the rest of it. A custard pie fight in the middle would have relieved the boredom.
Spoiler alert - don’t read below until you have watched the play. So what was ostensibly about people in the rag trade is really about ‘rough trade’ The Alan Bates character doesn’t like ‘olives’ his wife knows something is wrong, so fantasises about having an affair but the Malcolm character is disenchanted with his relationship and goes along with the fantasy. Of course the Alan Bates character is really attracted to McDowell (I’ve forgotten their character names) Helen Mirren ‘drew out’ the truth.
A couple of years later Mirren and McDowell worked together again in a rather naughty historical film, I don't believe I have to be more specific than that...
... this one was part of "Laurence Olivier Presents" television anthology series made by Granada Television which ran from 1976 to 1978.... and you can't find it mentioned at IMDB...
It’s a bit astounding that great drama like this used to be par for the course on British TV. We’ve fallen a long way. Strictly Baking, anyone?
I miss the 1970s. When production value and broadcasting allowed for quiet pause and contemplation. Today the world moves much too fast for comprehension. From the instant gratification of social media and its dumbing down comforts of it. Newcomers under 40s have no idea what they missed.
I get it. And thank you. It's quite nice to read a comment that's simply nostalgic without laying waste to new art, music, etc.
Though I'm their age and beyond, I mean those who transmit the equivalent of, well Luddites. (Albeit ones who have no qualms using technology that enables them to complain at warp speed.) Here's to irony.
And, because they suddenly popped into my head, here's to the scent of violets, the sound of old trains, hand fans and pinwheels just for the sparkling non-electric joy of it.
Paz y luz ✨️
In those days TV was still in it's infancy and was highly influenced by theatre. These early TV shows do have a live theatrical quality to them. TV now is completely it's own medium. I do love the dramatic sense of these old shows but there's been some amazing TV made in the last years as well.
I presume you not going to consider the bad things that happened in that decade
@@timelordvictorious Come now. You have to admit that the unraveling that is happening today, is not at all what was happening in the 70s. Everything has become black or white, with no gray area. Been going on for some 20 years now and the pandemic just accelerated it. Idiocracy comes to.mind. We no longer adhere to shared values and standards. In fact many have contempt for them now. We can’t trust our media to be truthful. They have divided us using race and religion. When Its not the problem. It is the government. We are at Crisis level I’m afraid. And to deny that is being disingenuous to say the least. I’ll take the 70s over this mess.
@@timelordvictorious Like Savile, Rolf Harris and Stuart Hall? It was old style pedo-ing, before it got such a bad name.
Omg Alan was so very good looking
I loved the bit about the slum and the snail. Olivier must have had to rehearse that a lot before he could deliver it without bursting out laughing!
Harold Pinter has the gift of presenting the emptiness and pretence of human importance in speech and actions in so many varieties of forms. Indeed, it seems that our present civilization with a claim to high evolution, remains much in the control of childish men proud of wealth and professional status, merely a collection of people, rather than of unique personal individuation.
Four great actors giving four terrific performances.
Malcolm McDowell again proves he’a one of the greatest actors of all time. He and Alan Bates both deserve reappraisals of their entire careers.
@Super Amanda Malcom McDowell was really good in Time After Time (1979) a movie I discovered about a year ago. Alan Bates is a good actor too, he was great in The Rose (1979).
@@CoopyKat " Rack jobbers rule! " 👍
That would have to include all the absolute stinkers he did in 'ollywood. I've no idea why.
@@CoopyKat I love Time after Time! Alan Bates is fantastic in GEORGEY GIRL and Ken Russell’s WOMEN IN LOVE too!
@@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252 his later career is like almost any other actor. Like John Gielgud, they keep working.
I've never seen Malcolm or Helen this young, Everyone is so good looking. TALENTED. Pinter has such a unique voice, flair.
Helen Mirren was NEARLY this young in Excalibur a few years after this. She was a hottie!
Still is
In her way.
She was in a BBC production of Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1968. It was broadcast in the US at that time. It’s on RUclips.
Helen Mirren was the sex 💣 bomb of the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was a great presence on the stage before moving into TV and film.
It's a shame Harold Pinter didn't write the screenplay for Eyes Wide Shut.
I could watch Malcolm McDowell in anything. Such a unique actor.
He always made me a bit uneasy…in the best way. It’s hard to explain. Love his acting.🧐🎥🤩✨✨✨
@@Johnconno He's a bit like Christopher Walken in that he's kind of the same in everything but is amazing to watch
I found McDonald so terribly distasteful…. Couldn’t watch anything with him in it.
In the end, we only believe what we want to believe. A superb and thought provoking production.
Some people!!! It's a tough world, no matter how much a person's head is in the sand they still know.
It's like Rashoman in London.
What an absolutely amazing cast and great playwright/play, just wish the direction was a bit better. But wow, what a brilliant cast - Olivier, Mirren, Bates, McDowell, all together! Superb!
Tormenting each other. And tormenting themselves.
Great play. Great cast. Can't get much better on this one!
Indeed!! Absolutely!!
+tacman1974
I've always wanted to see a good stage production of this film. A very similar film/play is titled "The Shadowbox" and I've seen the great film with Joann Woodward and Christopher Plummer and several stage adaptations of it...and I suggest this film to you since you like this film here. ...And this film here is an excellent teleplay by these excellent actors here in this film who are also known for their great stage work.
The thing about Pinter is he used to write all his best lines on the bus. Either he overheard them or he made them up himself. I know this for a fact because I used to cut his hair.
When he wasn’t looking...
That's funny 😂
In this dramatic classic masterpiece, the 4 actors make up a perfect square of acting genius,but it all goes back to Mr Pinter's theatrical writing in which the language captivates the listener more than the events acted out .Such a nice chance to see some of the greatest actors in British theatre ,TV and film.
I agree its a real treat!
Very well said indeed
love Pinter
Kept waiting for it to get interesting. Halfway through, I gave up.
Sunday afternoon and a Pinter play. The only thing better would be the same production Monday through Saturday. Thank you for this. RIP Alan Bates.
I'm watching this on a Sunday afternoon as well.
@@lavanderflo Zoom, I watched this yesterday - a Friday. Does it matter?
Absolutely!!
Am l a dog to be chased with a stick? The actors do well, but what a terrible plot! bizarre how many commenters think otherwise. The Emperors new clothes.
This was actually shown on CBS. Can you even imagine that today? At the time Olivier said this was "the most beautiful" piece he'd ever been involved with. A TV production professor I knew used it in his classes; he'd introduce it by saying "I don't know how to define great acting, but here's some."
right, exactly.
But Robyn Daniels says it's tosh, and that's a selfproclaimed Mensa genius. So we all must go home dismayed.
@@helenlauer9545 Who's Robyn Daniels?
I do hope there's a dripping ceiling with a bucket underneath it in this. I shall be very disappointed if there isn't.
The Caretaker - one of my favourites by Pinter.
The most powerful (and uncomfortable) part of this play was how the power (and menace) of each character fluctuated throughout; incredible to think tension can be created and maintained this way
Nothing like this today. Something of the brilliant stuff of the 1970s. Lucky those who experienced that time.
I came of age in these years so remember them fondly, minus the harsher events of those times. Like any other era, it was good and bad mixed, but I have to say the language still had some elegance when it came to most literature and theater and people, for the most part, behaved a trifle more civilized for lack of a better descriptor. Certainly not this Brave New World.
Pinter is for sophisticated, intelligent people. Others will not like him, not enough violence, action, or understand what he is doing. I hate to sound so prissy, but it is true.
@@brucerobbins3584 Wow, there's plenty of violence. It's all psychological, though. All the microaggressions of "polite" talk. Really love this play. Superb performances.
Bruce Robbins So it is!
cohenhaywood10 Twat. He is simply, incontrovertibly right.
if this be polite nicety, let slip the knives!
The homoerotic subtext, if it can be called that, is a bit over-the-top if not gratingly obvious - the cheese knives bit is a bit cheesy - though no doubt for 1960, when the work was written, it may not have been as readily transparent for mainstream audiences who saw it performed. Still, a surprisingly forward-thinking scenario that gives us a gay and straight couple interacting without plodding moral commentary. Pinter was well ahead of the curve as a social observer; his metaphors less so.
Last few lines: "we just talked about it... For two hours... Did nothing". That was this play! "You didn't do anything did you?". Right! I've spent an entire hour watching superb acting about... NOTHING.
Mr Richie Kaye Yeah. Beats the he’ll out of Seinfeld.
The play isn't about NOTHING. The last lines imply a lack of trust
Pinter…becket…Stoppard
Plus the progressed version of the angry young Englishmen.
Yup Nothing
@@timopheim5479 Lack of trust and honesty. A devastating play. How words deceive.
Read : The Emperor's New Clothes. . by H C Andersen.
It will explain everything.
Pinter never wrote it down as a 'creation'. He and Olivier met by chance in a Salzburg hotel lobby and talked about it for two hours.
A true masterpiece by the master.
Great programme! I had to laugh when, 'Whitney Houston' rang the boutique! xxxx
@twinkle3026: It’s actually Whitney-Newsome, but yes, it gave me a chortle too.
I thought I was hearing things I was about to google her career then I thought I would check the comments first and now I know the truth. 😂
Thanks for uploading this little masterpiece
10/2023:Most interesting. I've always thought that Helen is lovely. This is the youngest that I have seen her I think. I first saw Malcolm in Clockwork Orange, the nite before I entered the USAF back in 1972. One of my favourite movies of all time. Very Good Acting by all. Thank You for posting this excellent play. Something new for me to enjoy. Best Regards.
Yes a young Macolm. I thought Helen was sexy, great figure. But not as pretty as she was.
Helen mirren in herostratus 1967. ruclips.net/video/MQh1G8yrfqg/видео.htmlsi=se2FJn9ISfDCOKCy
Look for Helen mirren in the 1967 film herostratus.
ALL of these Harold Pinter Plays have a maternal character who reminds me of Edith Bunker, from “Archie Bunker.” And ALL of the males misogynists who feel like latent and/or closet homosexuals. So far I’ve watched 3 the line “come here” and a strange and uncomfortable scene with one man “blowing” in another man’s mouth has been in EVERY ONE. Feels like Pinter grew up with overbearing Mother & if not openly gay was closeted gay man back in the day. Shots of Malcolm McDowell between man’s legs. It appears SO OBVIOUS NOW in 2024.
Alan and Helen are in Gosford Park. Written by Julian Fellowes. Directed by Robert Altman. The whole cast is incredible.
Slum Slug - first I'm going to use this. Second--I can't believe how many comments got this wrong--he didn't say snail. He said slug. SLUm SLUg. That's what makes it good. You slum slugs.
Alan Bates had a perfect nose, such a silly and shallow observation, but I don't think I've ever seen a finer snout! His Claudius (Gibson's Hamlet) and Michael Henchard (Potter's The Mayor of Casterbridge) are well worth a look, if viewers want to see more of this much-missed actor.
I suppose he did , The Shout is good too
Frig me, Bates, McDowell, and Olivier ! What a cast !
and Mirren
So many revealed, spoken and unspoken thoughts, vulnerabilities and emotions. What a marvellous cast to show us them all.
Cruelty, control, provocation and domination are central motivations. The baton of power gets passed from character to character at different times. I thoroughly enjoyed it although feel Bates' character's concession in the final scene was totally incongruous.
He was looking to Helen Mirren's character to draw a line under the wretched episode, but she wasn't willing to bring closure: out of spite, duplicity, connivance, vulnerability, pride? - The vicious cycle continues. Irresolution seems an apt conclusion.
Conceding that let him off the hook 😅
I've re-watched this many times since finding it a couple of years back. The wife of the clothing shop owner is the least realized in this but maybe she was meant to be. I think the absolute best part of this was when Olivier dives in off screen but his voice heard like a jump cut and saves Malcolm from probably getting killed because it really looked like Bates was going there but he was just giddy over the fact that he could easily toy with Malcolm. Olivier's monologue about Malcolm being from the wrong side of the tracks and therefore can't help but cause trouble and comparing him to a slug has a real vicious sting to it. The way Olivier went back and forth from hating and feeling sorry for Malcolm simultaneously was some really amazing acting. Just from his monologue in this scene, I get why Olivier gets so much love. Can never get enough of Malcolm's big shiny eyes!
What a pleasure being in this must have been for the actors; all that delicious dialogue, and all those delicious...pauses! Thanks for posting.
The acting is good , but the fact is that Pinter and his script are complete bores...he takes far too long to get to nowhere in plot or in dialogue...utterly dull...it's a no from me
Agreed.
Whereas Tennessee Williams, or Arthur Miller, or John Braine, or Shelagh Delaney, ….. now THERE are REAL writers for you!
Thank you for uploading this excellent piece!
Never seen this before. Thanks to whoever uploaded it .
So enlightening to see MM becoming an all round versatile actor since his earlier parts in If and A Clockwork Orange.
A Clockwork Orange was horrifyingly violent and sadistic.
Wish Id never seen it.
And then unfortunately disappear down the Hollywood Hole.
@@LarryHertelagree
This play is just fucking perfect.
Brilliant! Hilarious in a passive aggressive oh so English way. The humour of the whole production!
It Could be described as a comedy with menace ....
If this is any indication, there are as many roundabouts in British conversation as there are in London.
HM has been stunning all her life in whatever guise
I'm usually acutely attentive to every word of Harold Pinter's and grateful that he makes no attempt to soothe me, to reassure me. We humans are so generous with the complex misunderstandings we have, i.e. lies we tell ourselves. I am grateful for all the works of Harold Pinter and his Collection.
This is so creepy I don’t even have words for it
The word is “Tripe”.
In my opinion.
The cat was the only character I liked
Many thanks for uploading this Pinter gem.
I ADORE watching Pinters plays….so damn entertaining…love the bit about the slim and the snail!
cannot imagine people speaking like that today
there's a little Pinter in Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The language games, the torture. "I'll bet you're a wow at parties." "I wouldn't say I'm a wow."
Absolutely marvellous! Thank you uploader.
Fantastic production. Michael Apted's direction is terrific.
The cat was great in this😅 the idea of Lawrence and malcome,mind bogling brilliant cast😊
The cat was too well behaved, probably d rugged.
Wow! So thats pinter. Good lord i have to find more of this. Like a high class episode of tales.of the unexpected
Great Performances indeed.
Does anyone know what piece of music bh Purcell it is your hear in the background when Bates wivits Mcdowell for te second time.?
Lines spun out and flashed like rapiers.
Thank You for having posted this rare gem.
Mirren the most beautiful woman in history. hahaha. tiny, though. quite the wee one. munchkinish diminutive. NEW BAND NAME: munchkinish diminutive.
thank you for sharing this, it's the best thing one could hope for
The old man really was a magician!!!
Pinter was a bit like Jack the Ripper in that they both got away with murder. I think that Pinter was a bit off form in this play in that you could tell what was going on. Make it deliberately vague and people will find their own meaning and feel rewarded with smugness.
Yeah I don’t like Pinter. Too surreal. If the plot makes sense, you’ve got dementia.
That's what I call a piece of art.
Interesting to read the critical comments here from folk who think this is equivalent to the emperor’s new clothes. The thing is, with social evolution, Art has to evolve too, push boundaries, shine a new light, challenge. Otherwise it stagnates. You can watch Whitehall farces until the cows come home, but essentially they are repetitive and superficial.
Pinter wasn’t the only playwright where ‘nothing happens’ In fact, if you get involved, the reverse is the case. The best art always asks the spectator to work too! Just a point of view...
Exactly, the problem is people hate having to do their own thinking.
I’m an old man now. Was first introduced to Pinter’s work about 50 years ago. His plays never seem to become stale or dated. I suspect the reason for that is that over the years I’ve matured and bring more to the table so to speak. As you suggest, his plays invite the viewer (reader) to participate in some undefined way.
Love Pinter: so funny. Very many thanks for this.
Olivier was often quoted as saying that this is the best play I have bèn in.
This is the only Pinter play that I've managed to watch all the way through! Probably because of the great actors rather than the actual material.
Really? What about the 'Caretaker'? If this appealed to you, I'm sure that would.
@@dafunkfiend Thanks, da - that is next on my list!
@@dr.elizabethmartin7118 I believe Pinter was a man of the Left. He's not as good as Tennessee Williams.
@@dafunkfiend. The Caretaker was awful! I did watch it all the way through but only because it’s a classic, so I thought I ought to see it at least once, from an educational point of view.
No one looks like what she/he looks in these days! Malcom McDowell looks like a homosexual. Helen is much more attractive now.
Many thanks for posting, I missed this at the time. Granada TV at its finest. A filmic quality on video.
very entertaining play. thought provoking and leaves the viewer to draw their own conclusions. .....very clever.
What’s the fuss all about? Pointless story with artificial dialogue. Like all Pinter stuck in its era and irrelevant.
Beautiful Malcolm. ❤❤❤
Great acting...the cat too 🐈
I found this cause I read old Times magazine from 1978
23:30. Oh gawd … 23 minutes in and it feels like 5 hours.
Is there much more of this?
What a great cast.
What a play. Every character is an idiot.
they're all great but Olivier steals it with what is arguably the weakest part
A change from his usual Ham .!
@@2msvalkyrie529 philistine
Well stated!
Heaven on a Sunday morning......thanks to Mr Pinter. Excellent cast as well. Mr. Bates looking quite handsome.
What the hell was all that about? People don't talk like that! Is it some parallel universe occupied by weirdos? If someone talked to me the way the Alan Bates character talks, he'd never get over my threshold. Who on earth would tolerate him? Who'd tolerate his refusal to answer questions? Who'd tolerate his olives BS? The behaviour of all the characters is completely disconnected from reality. The ending was as weird as the rest of it. A custard pie fight in the middle would have relieved the boredom.
that's fine, accept for when one realizes all the B.S. we daily tolerate. that's a bit of the point I'd say, but not among Pinter's best, not nearly
23 minutes in and boring........
Harold Pinter went on to write the screenplay for Sleuth. I can see why that appealed to him after writing this.
A better title for this could have been "Malcolm in the Middle"
TheSpiralnotebook 😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
27:15 classic camper... if the whole thing was not camp enough... love Pinter.
Spoiler alert - don’t read below until you have watched the play.
So what was ostensibly about people in the rag trade is really about ‘rough trade’
The Alan Bates character doesn’t like ‘olives’ his wife knows something is wrong, so fantasises about having an affair but the Malcolm character is disenchanted with his relationship and goes along with the fantasy.
Of course the Alan Bates character is really attracted to McDowell (I’ve forgotten their character names)
Helen Mirren ‘drew out’ the truth.
I think he was saying he doesn't like 'Olivier'; and who wouldn't for putting him through such a dull and disjointed story.
They're all attracted to McDowell. Lol!
A couple of years later Mirren and McDowell worked together again in a rather naughty historical film, I don't believe I have to be more specific than that...
and they had already been together in Lyndsay Anderson's "Oh, lucky man"🎭
Please do!
Little Boots.....
HELL NAH NOT THIS MOVIE IT TRAUMATIZED ME
Ancient Rome meets Penthouse.
What a load of old bollocks.
wow
... this one was part of "Laurence Olivier Presents" television anthology series made by Granada Television which ran from 1976 to 1978.... and you can't find it mentioned at IMDB...
dont understand the plot but i thiink there arse bandites
Someone that misspells think, they're and bandits didn't understand?
Slum slug, I like it
Whitney Newsome
I thought she said Whitney Houston 😂
Absolute brilliance...!
Pinter could make reading the Bible look menacing.
There are lots of menacing passages in the Bible. Winnie the Pooh would be more appropriate.
@@jackmallory7996 Yeah I was just going to say that. It already is!!
This was the most boring thing.
Now we have reality TV dreck........gawd help us
"Slum slug" lol my new favourite insult!
awesome play, thank you