The Final Test

The Final Test is probably unique in that it revolves around the final match in the career of an old cricketer. Jack Warner (of Dixon of Dock Green/The Blue Lamp fame) plays the cricketer who has had the misfortune to have fathered a poet.

His son wriggles out of watching his fathers final match in order to visit his own hero a poet played by the wonderful Robert Morley.

It is a charming light comedy which deals with the father/son relationship. Morley steals the show, as expected and the ending is suitable happy.

The real tragedy is that this is practically the only film to feature cricket when dozens have been made about baseball. Cricket contains all the metaphor and allegories that exist about life and the universe. In fact it is itself a branch of philosophy which can teach humankind the true path to enlightenment. It is not just an interesting way to hit a ball with a stick!

This film should have been the thin end of a very large and wonderful wedge. John Boormans "Hope and Glory" contains an excellent cricket scene. If anyone can suggest any other films with a cricketing theme I would be pleased to hear from you.

Up until the last few years, I've only ever seen Jack Warner in 'Dixon of Dock Green' and a few of his higher-profile films such as 'The Blue Lamp' etc. However, since the advent of the excellent TPTV channel, several of his films have been given a good airing. 'Jigsaw' and 'Emergency Call' spring to mind as showcases for his fine acting abilities. The Final Innings is a wonderful film full of good, solid British character actors working wonders with a fairly thin story. The short scene of Sam's final innings and his exit from the pitch to rousing cheers from the crowd and even the opposing side is heart-warming indeed. I don't know much about Cricket, but then the film is barely about cricket at all, more about making allowances, moving on and finding the next chapter in life, which in Sam's case is with the pretty Cora. See this film if you get a chance, especially if you like old-fashioned, homely drama about real people.

Certainly not one of Ratigans best screenplays.Not really helped by the casting of the 60 year old Jack Warner as a test cricketer in his forties.There are some really odd things about this film.Warner inviting to dinner one of the match umpires,the day before he bats.Later going into a pub at 1030pm,albeit just to romance Brenda Bruce who is about 25 years younger than him.They seem more like grandfather and granddaughter than lovers.Then there is a batsman who is out sauntering about the dressing room in a tie and suit.All very archaic.Good to see many of the heroes of the 1953 ashes winning team,Dennis Compton,Len Hutton and Jim Laker.How we could have done with them in Australia.

It's Jack Warner's last appearance as a cricket player in the Test Match with the Australians. Unhappily, his son, Ray Jackson, doesn't want to be present; he wants to be a poet, you see, and he has been invited to meet with his idol, poet Robert Morley, who's leaving the next day for America, so Jackson has to go.

It's directed by Anthony Asquith from a script by Terence Rattigan; originally it was broadcast by the BBC with an entirely different cast. Although Warner and Morley are wonderful, with Morley playing another of his very English eccentrics, it's a little too neatly drawn a script to be among Rattigan's best; in fact, at times it seems derivative of movies like PRIDE OF THE YANKEES. It even has an American character in an effort to let the transatlantic audience have some cultural understanding of this game.

I don't know how successful it was in the theaters, but there's little doubt that when Morley or Warner are on screen, they're lots of fun.

This is a magnificent film and all the better for this being such a surprise. There's a quiet dread when you watch any film that claims to be about sport, especially when so many of its stars are credited to appear. Wooden and contrived come to mind. This throws all such stereotypes out of the window and is a wonderful and thoughtful classic.

There is humour and a great deal of emotion, there is also a splendid performance from Jack Warner who really surprised me with his sensitive portrayal of a proud cricketer and father. Robert Morley hams it up as usual and there is the delight of a Richard Wattis cameo to add icing to this wonderful cake.

All in all, this is a joy to watch; intelligent and witty thanks to Terrance Rattigan's sharp script. I love cricket, but those that know nothing of it will still get a great deal of pleasure from this cracking film.