The Entertainer [DVD]

I watched this film to see how Olivier could handle such a "different" role, and because I am personally familiar with its location, Blackpool, in northern England. I also had the feeling that he was really proposing to Joan Plowright who he later married, and who has never remarried since Oliver's death. It is not a film of general interest or particular excitement. It had personal significance to me.

"The Entertainer" concerns itself with a sub-mediocre music hall entertainer, Archie Rice(Laurence Olivier), who in order to stay in the spotlight will do anything despite the ruination of the lives of those closest to him. Olivier plays this character perfectly where the temptation to ham it up in the role of a sleazy entertainer he gives just the correct amount of understatement. Also notable in the role of Rice's social worker daughter is Joan Plowright, who would become the future Mrs. Olivier. Albert Finney distinguishes himself in the one-scene part of Rice's doomed paratrooper son. Why I do not rate this film higher is that it is so unremittingly bleak and I just did not find the story that compelling to warrant this tone. This film in my mind is a dated artifact from the British new-wave of the late fifties and early sixties when this type of realism was in vogue. The film certainly captures the seediness of the world it is trying to capture. To me it stands as a curio from mid-fifties Britain than as a film that will stand the test of time.

For me, Laurence Olivier was the single best actor of the 20th Century. His range, on stage and in film, is unequaled. Even in crap movies, he’d bring something that was particular, unusual, unexpected. ‘The Entertainer’ is anything but crap. Olivier created the role of ‘Archie Rice’ on stage. The film capture the rawness, the grubbiness, the sort of sweaty humanity of the play. The cast as a whole is quite remarkable. Not a clunker among them. ‘Archie Rice’ is a great role. Olivier makes him breathe. You can practically smell him: his mediocrity, his moral decay, his fear, his neediness. Most of all, Olivier makes us feel ‘Archie’s’ humanity. ‘The Entertainer’ is not a comfortable film — but, then, life too often is not comfortable. The play/film looks at love and mortality, nobility and betrayal. You might, as I did, find it painful — but it’s a useful pain, the kind that makes you look into yourself. A lesser actor, a lesser cast would not have produced something this meaningful.

Sound quality is sub standard. Movie is so good, it's hard for me to catch the words of the wonderful dialogue.

Superbly realized at every level, a film that seems nearly forgotten despite its pedigree. Based on the play by John Osborne (and written expressly for Laurence Olivier), with Roger Livesey, Brenda De Banzie, first-time film appearances by Albert Finney, Joan Plowright and Alan Bates, Shirley-Ann Field, and of course Olivier who has called this his greatest film performance. These are people living on the edge of despair. Their life in the tawdry end of the theater--in a boardwalk setting, presenting worn-out routines to audiences already hooked on television--seems to be near its end. Everyone around Archie Rice (Olivier) sees the writing on the wall, but the tireless music-hall star prefers to pretend optimism and continues to scheme for a future that will never materialize. Because the film is so brilliantly directed by Tony Richardson it never sinks into depression mode. Olivier's endless energy and his supporting cast keep it interesting at all times. A major film whose reputation deserves revival.

Within the first 15 minutes, you will understand all the characters and where the story is going. With that said, I can now rave about both story and Actors.The simple plot of a die-hard Vaudville-style Performer and the effect he has on his extended family (both up and down the family chain). Falling upon hard times is nothing new to Archie (Sir Laurence). All the sub-plots (and there are many) all center around Archie and he isn't dealing too well with any of them. You can literally watch this bastian of sleaze disintergrate as the people around him suddenly start gaining some importance and self-esteem, perhaps too little and too late.Joan Plowright (then Ms. Oliver) made her debut as Archie's daughter. Albert Finney is in the fantstic cast too. Off screen, this group were playing "switch-partners," which eventually caused a divorce (Oliver & Plowright) and a marriage (Finney & Plowright).Oh what tangled webs we weave...

This dvd copy was so bad I stopped watching it after 5 minutes. It wasn't the excellent actors or film itself which disappointed, it was the lousy sound and cinematography. The sound was so muddy and indistinct I couldn't understand half of what the actors were saying; the cinematography was so blurred I had to squint to make out what was on the screen. Like I said, I stopped watching after 5 minutes and tossed the dvd into the Goodwill bin. I'm ordering a different version of 'The Entertainer' (MGM - Vintage Classics); hopefully that one will be better. It couldn't possibly be worse than this one.

One of the best! This movie is the best proof about Laurence Olivier’s talent as an actor. At the same year (1960) he also played in Spartacus( the classic film with Kirk Douglas and directed by the great Stanley Kubrick.) You see the vast range of his acting in the two films. That’s why he will never die as an artist unless the earth is swallowed by a BlackHole

This tells the story of Archie Rice (Olivier) a star on the music hall circuit, television is becoming more popular so "old fashioned" entertainment is dying out. His daughter Jean (Joan Plowright) returns home because of a personal crisis. Archies second wife Phoebe is aware of her husbands many affairs. One of his sons (Albert Finney) is fighting in the Suez. whereas his other son Frank (Alan Bates) helps with the show. Despite his unflagging optimism a serious of tragic events unfold.

A solid print of a great film that isn’t quite up to the stage version but is still most impressive. The evocation of a period seaside resort is spot on and the acting, if a little OTT at times with some characters, is superb with the leads, Olivier, Bates and Plowright. Extras are very relevant too. So, all in all, this is a first rate purchase. Highly recommended.

what a great film! from start to finish the power of the story within never fails to deliver.An excellent cast and a story of a man seemingly hellbent on self destruction as he battles with the demons of self delusion and the end of the vaudevillian actor. On stage as Archie Rice, Laurence Olivier delivers sadness and cynicim with one breath. He is determined to elude the Inland Revenue,engage in affairs with teenage wannabees, and even persuade his old father to appear on stage with him.His marriage is on the rocks and his daughter seems resigned to father's illusions. It travels a rocky path, and provides a fascinating insight into the world of early 1960's seaside theatre.It is one of Olivier's masterpieces and was one of his personal favourites. Watch it and enjoy the journey from illusion to ruin.

A superb study in loneliness and getting in over your head. Larry makes Archie reprehensible and sympathetic at the same time, quite a feat.Just take a look as well at the faces of people in the background. Early, very early, sixties Morecambe brought to life again and as fresh on blu-ray as if it was filmed yesterday.

Laurence Olivier singing and dancing! Despite the cover sleeve being on colour, this is a gritty black and white film set in the north of England, Morecambe to be exact, which shows many aspects of the town that, sadly, no longer exist. It is somewhat dated but for those who want to look back on what a northern seaside resort looked like with its throngs of holiday makers, piers, theatres and a great array of British film stars then this is the film to watch.