Drama,Mystery,Thriller
United Kingdom
The Fallen Idol is a 1948 British drama film directed by Carol Reed and based on the short story "The Basement Room" by Graham Greene. The film stars Ralph Richardson as the ambassador and Bobby Henrey as Phillipe, his son. Micheรกl Mac Liammรณir plays Baines, the butler who becomes the central figure in the story.
The film takes place in the embassy where Phillipe lives with his parents and a staff of servants. Phillipe is a lonely boy who spends most of his time with Baines, who regales him with stories and treats him as an equal. Phillipe sees Baines as a hero, and when Baines tells him that he's planning to leave his job and move to France with his wife, Phillipe is devastated.
However, when Phillipe spies on Baines and sees him embracing a younger woman, he becomes intrigued. He follows Baines and the woman to a hotel, where he witnesses a violent confrontation between Baines and the woman's jealous husband. Phillipe becomes convinced that Baines has committed murder and is terrified that he'll be arrested and punished.
As the film unfolds, Phillipe is torn between his loyalty to Baines and his fear of authority. He tries to protect Baines by lying to the police, but his lies only make things worse. Meanwhile, the ambassador and the other adults in Phillipe's life are caught up in their own dramas and fail to understand the child's perspective.
The Fallen Idol is a tense and psychologically complex film that explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the consequences of lies. It's a masterful example of British cinema in the postwar era, and Reed's direction and the performances of the cast are superb. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, and it remains an influential and highly regarded classic of British cinema.
