Kind Hearts and Coronets
United Kingdom
1949
106 Min
Black and White
English
Synopsis
Director Robert Hamer’s fiendishly funny Kind Hearts and Coronets stands as one of Ealing Studios’ greatest triumphs, and one of the most wickedly black comedies ever made. Dennis Price is sublime as an embittered young commoner determined to avenge his mother’s unjust disinheritance by ascending to her family’s dukedom. Unfortunately, eight relatives, all played by the incomparable Alec Guinness, must be eliminated before he can do so. —The Criterion Collection
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richmondhill
7Feb10
... a dish served cold. One of the surest, most delicately realised black comedies with rapier cruelty and wit dressed-up in a most polite veneer. Dennis Price's finest hour and a half.
Howard Fritzson
16Jun09
I wanted to celebrate Joan Greenwood but Doctor Lemonglow has already done so, eloquently.
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The Forgotten: A Little Stranger
By David Cairns on February 12, 2009
NOW YOU SEE IT
I love the fact that Britain's two women directors in the 1950s were called Toye and Box. I also love the fact that Britain had two women behind the camera while American could only manage
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Untitled
By Doctor Lemonglow on February 26, 2009
Joan Greenwood’s screen presence conjures up lust such that the entire history of work by Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor, Brigitte Bardot, or Nicole Kidman is reduced to something like a single, tawdry… read review
Untitled
By McKittrick on December 28, 2008
The Ealing films, especially the comedies, are part of British film heritage -.from a time when we had a British Film industry! But British film, as an exciting and diverse force to be reckoned with… read review
Untitled
By Iliveinfear on December 22, 2008
Murder has never been this much fun. This along with Divorce, Italian Style and Dr. Strangelove are the greatest black comedies ever made. What makes this film special is not just Alec Guinness’s remarkable… read review
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The problem with older films
33 posts by 14 people
11 months ago
DVD
Buy the DVD from The Criterion Collection.
