The Servant
The Servant DVD cover
Directed by	Joseph Losey
Produced by	Joseph Losey Norman Priggen
Written by	Harold Pinter (screenplay) from Robin Maugham's novel
Starring	Dirk Bogarde Sarah Miles James Fox Wendy Craig
Music by	John Dankworth
Distributed by	Landau Releasing Organization (LRO)
Release date(s)	November, 1963 (premiere)
Running time	112 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

The Servant is a 1963 British film, directed by Joseph Losey and starring Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, Wendy Craig, and James Fox. This image was downloaded from Amazon. ... Joseph Losey (January 14, 1909 - June 22, 1984) was an American theater and film director. ... Joseph Losey (January 14, 1909 - June 22, 1984) was an American theater and film director. ... Harold Pinter, CH, CBE (born 10 October 1930) is a British playwright, screenwriter, poet, actor, director, author, and political activist, best known for his plays The Birthday Party (1957), The Caretaker (1959), The Homecoming (1964), and Betrayal (1978), and for his screenplay adaptations of novels by others, such as The... Robin Maugham, Robert Cecil Romer Maugham, 2nd Viscount Maugham of Hartfield, (17 May 1916- 13 March 1981) was a British novelist, playwright and travel writer. ... Dirk Bogarde Sir Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde (28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999), better known by his stage name Dirk Bogarde, was an actor and author. ... Sarah Miles (born 31 December 1941) is an English theater and film actress. ... James Fox (born 19 May 1939) is an English actor. ... Wendy Craig (born June 20, 1934) is a British actor. ... Sir John Dankworth CBE Born in London, England, in 1927, was brought up in a musical environment amongst a family of musicians. ... Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... Film is a term that encompasses motion pictures as individual projects, as well as the field in general. ... The film director, on the right, gives last minute direction to the cast and crew, whilst filming a costume drama on location in London. ... Joseph Losey (January 14, 1909 - June 22, 1984) was an American theater and film director. ... Dirk Bogarde Sir Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde (28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999), better known by his stage name Dirk Bogarde, was an actor and author. ... Sarah Miles (born 31 December 1941) is an English theater and film actress. ... Wendy Craig (born June 20, 1934) is a British actor. ... James Fox (born 19 May 1939) is an English actor. ...

Synopsis

The film, adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter from the novel of the same name by Robin Maugham, is a tightly woven psychological drama that focuses on the relationships between the four central characters. The intricacies of class, servitude, ennui and Pyrrhic victory are examined and exploded. Harold Pinter, CH, CBE (born 10 October 1930) is a British playwright, screenwriter, poet, actor, director, author, and political activist, best known for his plays The Birthday Party (1957), The Caretaker (1959), The Homecoming (1964), and Betrayal (1978), and for his screenplay adaptations of novels by others, such as The... Robin Maugham, Robert Cecil Romer Maugham, 2nd Viscount Maugham of Hartfield, (17 May 1916- 13 March 1981) was a British novelist, playwright and travel writer. ... Psychology is an academic and applied field involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. ... Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. ... Ennui (Pronunciation: ) is a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction. ...

Tony (James Fox), a wealthy young Londoner, hires Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) as his manservant. Initially, Barrett appears to take to his new job with ease and he and Tony form a quiet sort of bond while, nevertheless, maintaining their social roles. However, relationships begin to shift and change with the introduction of Tony's emotionally stilted girlfriend, Susan (Wendy Craig). She seems to loathe Barrett and all that he represents. Adding to the problems is Vera (Sarah Miles), Barrett's supposed sister, who Barrett introduces into the house as a maidservant. In fact, Vera is his lover.

Nothing being what it seems, the characters manoever around each other until roles reverse and Tony emerges as a very different person. In a scenario where all the major players appear bored with playing out their social roles, it could be regarded as a sinister version of Jeeves and Bertie Wooster. Jeeves, here portrayed by Stephen Fry in ITVs Jeeves and Wooster series, is P.G. Wodehouses most famous character. ... Bertie Wooster portrayed by Hugh Laurie in ITVs Jeeves and Wooster series Bertram Wilberforce Bertie Wooster is the wealthy, good-natured co-protagonist and narrator of P. G. Wodehouses Jeeves stories. ...

The evocative soundtrack by John Dankworth, along with the song "All Gone" sung by Cleo Laine, complements the mood of the film. Sir John Dankworth CBE Born in London, England, in 1927, was brought up in a musical environment amongst a family of musicians. ... Dame Cleo Laine, Lady Dankworth DBE, (born Clementina Dinah Campbell on October 28, 1927 in Middlesex, England) is a scat and jazz singer and an actor. ...