Quiet Weekend

A real old fashioned gem.

Obviously low budget but well compensated with good crisp direction and characterisation.

Nothing nasty - even the upper class snob was almost likeable.

A slice of English middle class probably gone forever.

Another effortlessly charming ensemble British comedy about a deliciously erudite group of middle-class city slickers whose blissfully bucolic sojourn in their politely ramshackle country abode very soon impolitely turns into a splendidly silly series of splendiferous larks, pratfalls, misadventures, and wonderfully barbed badinage! 'Quiet Weekend' is thankfully never twee, wholesomely funny, undeniably edifying fare, being divinely nostalgic fun, no less crisply satisfying than a freshly cut cucumber sandwich, frequently frothier than a barrel of ginger beer, feisty familial intrigues, burgeoning love affairs, petty jealousies, rain-drenched picnics, and pulse-pounding bouts of midnight Salmon poaching, 'Quiet Weekend' is a far from sedate affair, an enormously good-natured, decidedly classy comedy that is bound to revivify one's flagging spirits like the bracing mustard-infused baths so blithely prescribed by the likeable Royd family's preternaturally capable matriarch Mildred Royd (Marjorie Fielding).

"Quiet Weekend" is a wonderful, warm and funny film set in the English countryside in 1946. This British comedy has none of the prominent actors who would be known outside of the UK at the time - especially across the pond in the Americas. Most of the cast had short film careers, so few were likely to be known even in the UK then. In a way, that makes this film all the more notable, because to a person the roles played here are very good.

The comedy here isn't from clever or funny dialog, although the script has an occasional barb or witticism. Mostly, it's just in the relationships of this family and friends. One particular caper involves the lord of the house, Arthur Royd, the local justice of the peace, friend Adrian Barrasford, the Royd's caretaker, Sam Pecker, and a niece, Miranda Bute. They set out at night to poach a salmon from a neighbor's stream. That's quite funny by itself. A community playhouse evening is also worth a couple of laughs. And, a local jailhouse with a court scene is very good and funny.

This is a delightful and feel-good film that those who like old movies should enjoy. Here are a couple favorite lines.

Rowena Hyde, after kissing with Denys Royd, "That was very pleasant." Denys, "Pleasant? It was wonderful!"

Adrian Barrasford, the local justice of the peace, says to Arthur Royd after their caper the night before, "No, I warn you. I shall fine us very heavily."

For anyone born in the UK before about 1935 (as I was) this movie will bring back memories of austerity, such as very few cars and very little food and primitive plumbing. We all had to make do with what we had; the top rate of income tax was around 95%. Nevertheless the middle classes had those delicious cut-glass English accents; "thanks" was pronounced "thenks". The lower classes such as the old poacher, spoke their lines in broad accents and were usually considered to be comic characters.

That has all changed now. This movie is good entertainment but also of value to the social historians. It is the way the British coped with the rigors of victory after WW II, i.e. paying off the huge loans owed to the USA while trying to become a socialist society.

The charm in this film lies in its simplicity. Based on a stage play, it shows a middle class family staying at their weekend cottage, leading the easy type of life that has sadly long since disappeared. The highlights of this film are the dreadful concert and the poaching expedition.