The Man Upstairs

I didn't know of this movie until I saw it availvable on download. What a gem. Tense drama, taut acting by big names of the time, and irnoically enough, despite being made in 1958, resonant of the 21st Century.

Accusations made before proof? Paparazzi? Sounds like Social Media to me. Nuff Said. The Nuff is deliberate, I hate misspelling of words. Imagine my hireing someone to work for me, and the contract says 1000 per hour. Then the mistake is seen, and should read 10.00 per hour??????????

Nuff said.

I don't think its any coincidence that this film came out the year after 12 Angry Men.

Dicky Attenborough is the accused and the 12-man jury is made up of his fellow tenants.

Good film but would have made a better TV episode - tighter and more focused.

This tense drama - about a disturbed man locked in his apartment room wanted by the police and seemingly in an untenable situation - is quite unusual in its structure.

Apart from the studio and title of the film, there are no opening credits. There is no background music and the film takes place in 'real time'. These are challenging restrictions for a film but director Don Chaffey does a largely splendid job.

The secret to the film's success is that it doesn't excessively focus on the central character (played by Richard Attenborough in his typically intense, brooding style) but places him in the context of the law, support organisations and ordinary citizens (represented by other tenants of the building).

The film deftly creates a range of characterisations who either want to help or apprehend 'the man upstairs' or just have him out of their way for their own personal reasons. It highlights how a character in the plight that Attenborough's is in is reliant on sensible, selfless and practical measures by those around him to not potentially ruin his life.

While not a classic, 'The Man Upstairs' is a fine film, worth seeking out.

Once again,I won't tell the topic of this solid UK drama, Long Horn has done it very well on the summary line. I will just point out that Richard Attenborough gives here a powerful, outstanding performance as a lost soul, not a lunatic, but a character for whom the audience can't not feel some empathy...

But no user seem have noticed that picture is very similar to Marcel Carne's LE JOUR SE LEVE, starring Jean Gabin as the lead. And it is absolutely obvious; a blind man, only by hearing the dialogues, could tell the same thing.

That's all, folks. I have nothing to add.

Oh, yes, I think Don Chaffey's films are hard to purchase, but when you can make it, it's worth. I know this guy directed some AVENGERS TV series episodes.

I used to play Edward Evans (Fire Brigade Officer) at table tennis.