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IMDbPro

The Browning Version

  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
The Browning Version (1994)
The Browning Version: Report Your Misdoings
Play clip1:51
Watch The Browning Version: Report Your Misdoings
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43 Photos
Drama

On the verge of forced resignation, a strict old-fashioned teacher rethinks his life.On the verge of forced resignation, a strict old-fashioned teacher rethinks his life.On the verge of forced resignation, a strict old-fashioned teacher rethinks his life.

  • Director
    • Mike Figgis
  • Writers
    • Terence Rattigan
    • Ronald Harwood
  • Stars
    • Albert Finney
    • Greta Scacchi
    • Matthew Modine
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    3.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Figgis
    • Writers
      • Terence Rattigan
      • Ronald Harwood
    • Stars
      • Albert Finney
      • Greta Scacchi
      • Matthew Modine
    • 36User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Browning Version: Report Your Misdoings
    Clip 1:51
    The Browning Version: Report Your Misdoings

    Photos43

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    Top cast29

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    Albert Finney
    Albert Finney
    • Andrew Crocker-Harris
    Greta Scacchi
    Greta Scacchi
    • Laura Crocker-Harris
    Matthew Modine
    Matthew Modine
    • Frank Hunter
    Julian Sands
    Julian Sands
    • Tom Gilbert
    Michael Gambon
    Michael Gambon
    • Dr. Frobisher
    Ben Silverstone
    Ben Silverstone
    • Taplow
    Jim Sturgess
    Jim Sturgess
    • Bryant
    • (as James Sturgess)
    Joseph Beattie
    Joseph Beattie
    • Wilson
    Marc Bolton
    • Grantham
    Tom Havelock
    • Laughton
    Walter Micklethwait
    • Buller
    Jotham Annan
    • Prince Abakendi
    David Lever
    • David Fletcher
    Bruce Myers
    • Dr. Rafferty
    Maryam d'Abo
    Maryam d'Abo
    • Diana
    Heathcote Williams
    Heathcote Williams
    • Dr. Lake
    Oliver Milburn
    Oliver Milburn
    • Trubshaw
    Jeff Nuttall
    • Lord Baxter
    • Director
      • Mike Figgis
    • Writers
      • Terence Rattigan
      • Ronald Harwood
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews36

    7.23.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7TheLittleSongbird

    Beautiful in its gentle simplicity

    After watching the Terence Rattigan DVD collection (with most of the adaptations being from the 70s and 80s) when staying with family friends last year, Rattigan very quickly became one of my favourite playwrights and he still is. his dialogue is so intelligent, witty and meaty, his characterisation so dynamic, complex and real and the storytelling so beautifully constructed.

    'The Browning Version' is a defining example of Rattigan at his finest. As said in previous reviews for the adaptations part of the Terence Rattigan DVD collection, is also at his best when laying bare deep emotional and psychological strains in his principal characters within a skillful dramatic framework. 'The Browning Version' epitomises that as well as everything that makes me love Rattigan's work so much. This 1994 film is a very worthy adaptation and a lovely film in its own right.

    For me, the 1951 Anthony Asquith-directed film with Michael Redgrave is the definitive version and one of the best film versions of any of Rattigan's play, and there is also a preference for the 1985 TV version with Ian Holm and Judi Dench. As said though, quality-wise this version is more than worthwhile and satisfies as an adaptation too.

    Directed by Mike Figgis, an interesting if curious choice in his last film before achieving international recognition, 'The Browning Version' (1994) has a few deficits. The whole school bully stuff was not needed and yanks the viewer too much back to the present day, which is sad when the film mostly does very well with its recreation of the period for something modern in comparison to be this at odds.

    Matthew Modine is a little bland as Frank, he has the charm but not the callousness and cockiness and the character has been more interesting elsewhere. The film also has the one thing in the 1951 film that struck a false note intact, despite the speech being powerful how the film concludes so optimistically comes over still as contrived and didn't feel right with the rest of the film.

    However, so much is done right with 'The Browning Version' (1994). It's beautifully made, with handsome period detail, cosy and sumptuous interiors and the cinematography is a lovely looking complement. The music is more understated than intrusive, a good thing for a film with as gentle a tone as here, and is soothingly orchestrated. Figgis's direction is controlled without being starchy or too low-key to lack presence.

    Rattigan's writing is a very large star here. His superb writing, dynamic between the characters and consummate attention to very complex characterisation shine through wonderfully here and really keeps things afloat. There are changes here but rarely in a way that's distracting. The story is gently and intelligently done, as well as incredibly affecting. It too avoids becoming stage bound as is a potential problem with adaptations of plays. The scene with the gift brought tears to my eyes and a lump to the throat, it was always a moving scene in the source material and the same applies here, Albert Finney's reaction particularly stands out.

    Of the cast, Albert Finney dominates as a sometimes stern but often incredibly heartfelt Crocker Harris. Despite the character being widely disliked by the students it is very difficult to not feel sorry for him. Greta Scacchi provides a more sympathetic portrayal of his wife (called Laura here and not Millie), usually played cold and without a heart, redeeming qualities or weaknesses as how Rattigan intended. But this more sympathetic approach works because it's not often that Crocker Harris' wife's point of view is understood by the viewer but one does here despite not condoning what she does.

    Ben Silverstone's Taplow has a twinkling charm, with his chemistry with Finney's Crocker Harris providing a lot of the film's heart, while Michael Gambon is very good as ever and it was interesting seeing Julian Sands relatively early on in his career.

    In summation, simple and gentle but beautiful though with short-comings. 7/10 Bethany Cox
    tcmaloney

    a well-done "small" film.

    This is one of those movies that are easy to overlook because of their lack of special effects, bone-rattling audio, and sexual situations. Nevertheless, The Browning Version tells a poignant story of an aging teacher who is being shunted aside in favor of a younger replacement. Albert Finney is wonderful as Crocker-Harris, "the Hitler of the lower sixth," whose health is failing and whose enthusiasm for teaching is gone. Greta Scacchi is equally good as his unfaithful wife. Her nuanced performance is one way in which this version is superior to the much-admired Michael Redgrave issue of 1951. In the latter, Jean Kent plays an unrelenting bitch who cares not a whit for her husband's plight. One cannot, under any circumstances, imagine how the two characters ever got together. In the new rendition, however, one can see how the lovely Miss Scacchi might have fallen for the athletically built Finney. As a result, one can better appreciate the disillusionment and bitterness that inform her character as she contemplates what he has become.
    9murli786

    Superb!!

    Albert Finney and Greta Scacchi have given a fabulous performance. Indeed this is a rare gem in cinema. I give this 9 out of 10. The script is tight, the music score good and the performances are amazing.

    Its a simple story of a school teacher who is forced to retire. He finds no comfort in his retirement as he is denied his pension and there is absolutely no one in the school who is sad to see him go. Living with an unfaithful life, this school teacher lives a lonely life. Never to bow down to anyone and nor letting anyone sympathise with him, he portrays a classic and rare case of a strong human being.

    As i say this, it was sad to see him break down when a kid showers him a rare gift of love. If this movie does not touch your soul or move you, then you truly belong to the cold hearted. Keep a handkerchief ready.

    Please watch this movie. It is a masterpiece .
    aeromax-4

    A movie to savor

    This was an unexpected jewel of a movie. If you like movies such as "Remains of the Day," you will enjoy this one. Against the backdrop of a traditional boys school in the English countryside, a teacher who is being forced out examines his life. This movie is well-done across the board--the rich if spare script (perfect), the cinematography, a well-integrated score, all perfectly paced. This movie and the characters in it have layers. The acting by Albert Finney and Greta Sacchi is masterful (Michael Gabon is good, too). All that, and it has an honest ending. This movie had my rapt attention from the opening scene, and I am certain to watch it again.
    9armourjock

    Schoolday memories

    Albert Finney gives a classic portrayal of a teacher of the times. This movie shows so clearly the invisible gap which existed between teacher and pupil. It was extremely difficult if not impossible to come close to teachers in those days. The innocence of Taplow played brilliantly by Ben Silverstone and his genuine regard and respect for the aging Crocker=Harris, provides the viewer with an intimate encounter in which this teacher who is in a failed marriage, has not accomplished his ambitions to be head of the school, suddenly realises in the form of "Taplow", that he is genuinely loved for what he is, a good teacher who showed his love for the boys by, discipline and teaching. Little wonder that Crocker-Harris weeps when the truth dawns on him. Watch this movie and weep too. Absolutely first class.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally developed as a Ridley Scott directorial project.
    • Goofs
      In the scene where Crock's students are struggling with a passage of Aeschylus in the original Greek, the books on their desks that they are supposedly reading from are English translations visible from their Penguin covers.
    • Quotes

      Andrew: In the Cold War, everyone wanted to learn Russian. Then came Perestroika; Russian wasn't trendy any more.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Only You/Second Best/Pulp Fiction (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Praise My Soul The King of Heaven
      Arranged by Peter Newson-Smith

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    FAQ

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 12, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • Latin
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 峰途路轉
    • Filming locations
      • Milton Abbey School, Blandford, Dorset, England, UK(Exterior)
    • Production company
      • Percy Main
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $487,391
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $48,719
      • Oct 16, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $487,391
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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