O Lucky Man!
- Director: Lindsay Anderson
- Writer: David Sherwin
- Producer: Lindsay Anderson; Basil Keys
CGiii Comment
The pay-off is almost genius...
That is...if you can bear the trek (and the music) all the way to the end.
It is a difficult journey...but worth it.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Follows the literal and associated life journey of middle class Brit Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell), representing the "everyman", as he tries to make his mark in his so far young life. He is able to make great strides in his traditional view of success by being what those in authority want him to be. As such, he achieves in a few weeks what it usually take years for others, namely having his own sales territory, the northeast and ultimately Scotland, for Imperial Coffee. He is also able to garner a plethora of fringe benefits from this job, including women throwing themselves at his feet. But he will ultimately face a struggle in class and authority warfare, which culminates with his encounter with the Burgess family, wealthy industrialist Sir James Burgess (Sir Ralph Richardson) and his daughter Patricia (Dame Helen Mirren), who Mick wants to marry, the former who is contemplating investing in the shady dealings in Zingara. Mick will also find that the class struggle not only applies in his case in an upward direction, but also in a downward direction with the working class and the truly down and out. Through it all, Alan Price and his small combo act as a Greek chorus of sorts providing commentary of Mick's travails through song.
Cast & Characters
Malcolm McDowell as Michael Arnold Travis / Plantation thief;
Ralph Richardson as Sir James Burgess / Monty;
Rachel Roberts as Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. Richards;
Arthur Lowe as Mr. Duff / Charlie Johnson / Dr. Munda;
Helen Mirren as Patricia;
Graham Crowden as Stewart / Prof. Millar / Meths Drinker;
Peter Jeffrey as Factory chairman / Prison governor;
Dandy Nichols as Tea Lady / Neighbour;
Mona Washbourne as Neighbour / Usher / Sister Hallett;
Philip Stone as Jenkins / Interrogator / Salvation Army major;
Mary MacLeod as Mrs. Ball / Salvationist / Vicar'w Wife;
Michael Bangerter as William / Interrogator / Assistant / Released prisoner;
Wallas Eaton as John Stone / Col. Steiger / Prison warder / Meths drinker / Film executive;
Warren Clarke as Master of Ceremonies / Warner / Male nurse;
Bill Owen as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding