I saw this film as a kid. It haunted me. I stayed with my mom in her 90s til she passed at 98 and glad I did. All her friends had died before her and her siblings. I lost some years in income but have no regrets, as difficult as my own future can seem. No one should be left feeble and alone, nor shut up in some horrible nursing USA nursing home hell. We oftentimes warehouse our elderly like cattle so we can have our "lifestyle" uninterrupted.. Thanks for posting this gem of a film.
Sly... in reply. What an honourable child you are! What you wrote is so terribly touching: it speaks volumes of what is in your heart, spirit & Soul ! May God bestow upon you blessings of every Grace in this life & the next life: ❤ " Well done, Good & Faithful Servant " ❤ It was a spiritual moment to have come across yr letter and to have had the gift to have read it ! Pure Joy.
No explosions, no nudity, no swearing. What a beautifully crafted seven course feast for the eyes, brain and soul....wonderful....what isn't said is as loud as thunder.
Isn’t it the truth? They’ve ruined our country, USA, and others with the low class, slutty movies and shows they have on these days. It’s disgusting. No morality. 😢
My mother just passed away in August of this year. She reminds me of her. My mom was 81. I hate the thought of someone hurting this woman. She is just lonely. She looks so sad. My mom got that same look. She also had dementia when she died. Our elderly need us. I had my mom and she had me. Love one another.
My mother died over a year ago at age 84. She had dementia and other health issues. This was a rather sad film to watch because it reminded of my elderly mom and the hardship of failed health and dis eased mind she endured in the winter of her life.
So sorry fir your loss! I lost my 89 year old mother in June 2020. This will be my first Christmas without her. May your memories help you smile! God's Peace!
Today as I was cleaning out my house where I've lived for the past 33 years (I'm 77) I stopped to think about all my possessions. Do I own them or do they own me? Some are worthless, others are worth a few dollars. Many are dear, a few cause me pain or shame, some make me laugh or feel chagrin. . My sons, daughters in law and my grandchildren have been helping me clean out the clutter, since I don't want to die, leaving them to face the task of sorting through things without knowing the significance of some of them. My husband is in an assisted living home since I can't take of him--I can barely hobble around and take care of myself. Society uses the term "disabled," but back in the day we just called it crippled. In my case time just caught up with and overtook me, laying waste to bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, strength and vitality, leaving me tired and hurting. Almost all my friends and family around my age have shuffled off this mortal coil or moved. I am alone, but strangely, not really lonely, except for the odd occasion when I I travel down memory lane and get stuck. I derive comfort, though, and solace from my memories which my belongings call to mind. They wrap around my shivering shoulders like a cozy, soft warm blanket. They are the keys to the locked vaults which hold troves of precious memories, remembrances, of people, places, things, experiences, laughter tears, passion, grief, joy, fears and faith. Imagine just touching or looking at a piece of debris from my past I can feel, smell, hear, taste and see someone or something that meant, means, so very much. That's why it's hard for us to let go of "things." They are a mnemonic for everything that made me what I am. I appear to be a shriveled up, shaky, shuffling, wrinkled old crone, but inside, my darlings, I am young and bursting with the passion of life. I don't want to go back and do it all over again--I just want to feel it again once in a while. I can, and I do, thanks to my keys to my yesterdays, because you see my dear ones, I have about run out of my allotment of tomorrows. I look forward to spending eternity in the presence of my Heavenly Father, but I am grateful for the life he gave me on my journey.
@sagrammy...77?! Nonsense - you aren’t even full-grown yet: where I come from that’s about the age young folk leave home to strike out on their own and start courting...oh, you septuagenarians - why, you don’t even remember the War...wish I had your youth!
How lovely! You took me far away for a while, reading that. I want to read your life in a book. What a wonderful life you must have had. God bless you always, darling. ❤🙏💐
Very disturbing and heartbreaking! This is a reminder to always check on your elderly neighbors and make it a point to learn who your neighbors are the way we used to years ago. If anybody ever told me, that I, as a senior citizen would be living alone surviving on SSD and Assistance, I would’ve never believed it, but here I am. You never know how your life is going to turn out.
Jesus Christ is Sufficient ❤️ John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. seek Him Christ Jesus, Matthew 11 28 Come To Me ALL Who Labor And Are Heavy Laden And I will give you Rest. The Holy Spirit is known as the Comforter 🙏🏻🕊️✝️❤️
It's superb. Up there with all the great stars. Look at the way Dame Edith at first genuinely does seem to be a 'lady', but when her husband comes back and she begins to remember certain things about her past (ie, that she lived in a palace, but only as a servant) her voice and mannerisms change. That's real talent and requires a close understanding of the British class system as well.
What an amazing film, I'm surprised that I never seen or heard of it before, spectacular performance by Dame Edith. I was born in 1961, and this is how I remember old folk living in the 60's, that said, I grew up in a small Irish town, we looked after our old, and when I was a child there was a number of old people I called with to see if they needed any messages, as we called it then, its not that I was a good Samaritan, everyone called with the old folk to see if they needed anything. We had an old lady on her own living beside us, and she hammered the wall at least 10 times a day, it wasn't to complain about noise though, she would be looking one of us in to do something. We ran all her errands, my Mum would get her dressed in the morning, and ready for bed at bedtime, we done everything for her, at no cost.
I live in the US. BUT I MUST SAY. Brittish filmmakers, n actors, n actresses are the very best of all. There's absolutely no comparison. Thank you for another masterpiece.
Thank you, i grew up in exactly this kind of neighbourhood, a lot of the north of England was like this….it was poor and all the houses needed modernising, but they were all demolished…a world gone..
I have to say I so totally agree with you. I have tried watching American B movies and they just do not compare, whether the acting, the sets or the camera work. Greetings to you from the Old Country - on the eastern side of The Pond.
I was born in 1952 in London - 7 Years after the 2nd world war. We had to live on rations until 1958/59. As a child I was not aware, Gruel/porridge and cocoa for breakfast, nothing until the evening and rabbit stew, with a pathetic amount of vegetables. I first saw roast beef in 1963 at the age of 11 years old and ate it furiously. I first saw a joint of pork at the age of 14 and chicken was a luxury. I started work at 15 years of age in 1967. I have no gripe about all this, I just want to say, how bad was it for the generation before me. In England we pay for history all the time. Anyway enjoy our lovely films and the innocence of the past. Gregory.
I was born in 1956 and it wasn't too bad growing up here in Glasgow. I do remember thinking we were rich when a TV got delivered!😄. I also remember that bananas were relatively new to we Brits?
Interesting. People want meat so badly but now that same desire for meat is the reason for so many resources going to raise and slaughter animals and sanitize animal products on one side and to build great hospitals to treat heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, etc. on the other side, much of which is preventable by not eating meat. I was born in 1961 and am 61 now and vegan for the past 6 years. Was a caregiver to my parents and grandmother for 17 years. I know what eating animal products does to the body.
Probably the most powerful performance I have ever watched . I was born in December 1961 into unbelievable poverty and I remember the hardships from about four or five years of age onwards . Everybody knew rogues and the poorer the area the more you looked up at them . National Assistance wasn't an automatic right , well it was but I can tell you they would use any excuse to stop it just in case you might have managed to save a sixpence . An unbelievable effort to survive in those days . Fair sends a shiver down my spine .
It is returning to those days now. After becoming unwell I had to leave my job as a nurse. The DWP have been appalling and it is no wonder so many suicides occur due to them.
@@lr6633 There is no sense of justice and loyalty to the British people from any Government organization . Often actions and decisions fly in the face of even common sense . That's why I left 20 years ago . Try to stay strong and pursue your entitlements Above all don't let those you deal with ever see a sign of weakness . Heaven only knows you would think they were giving out their very own money in the form of benefits .
@@lr6633 our systems in society let us down, somehow or other the refresh button needs to be pressed! A big splodge of love, trust and caring is required, then we'd all feel better!
This film was actually a landmark film which caused changes in the benefits system and high lighted the need for more improved services for the elderly.Edith Evans you deserved an oscar for this role.RIP.Incidental music is also meloncolicly haunting.
I couldn't go farther than 20 minutes in, I was too afraid that I had/have seen this movie before, if it is.. then please lets all be better to each and all of us. if this is that movie.. its heart, heartbreaking..
@@bold810 Despite everything the character does seem to enjoy her life and basic routines when she's not getting hoodwinked, that's what I got from it.
What a touching movie. The reality is that there are so many elderly living on their own, lonely, struggling. I really felt for this woman. Great movie
Brutal and realistic as I am growing older myself.The world is unkind especially these days.Not too much compassion out there.Missed this movie when I was growing up.Glad to see it now.
Reminds me so much of my Grandmother, before she passed away one month shy of ninety years. Her house, about three times the amount of living space as the movie depicts, was actually collapsing under the weight of all of her reference books and materials. There were only narrow pathways through which she could walk from room to room, flanked on either side by stacks of reading material -- religious reference books, National Geographic magazines, medical books, etc. She was, indeed, such the avid reader.
You’re Grandmother sounds like she was a very clever and intelligent lady. She obviously had a great love of books and a passion to learn everything she could. She sounds like a wonderful old lady.It couldn’t have been easy clearing out her house when she passed away.!. I so hope you didn’t throw the books away and hope you passed some of them on. Knowledge and great books should be passed on.Surely the National Geographic magazines would be collectors items?.She obviously liked to study, as well as reading having all those reference books .May your Grandmother rest in blissful peace. X
This is the most amazing heart breaking performance i think i have ever seen ... Edith Evans stunned me with levels of sympathy for a character i didn't know i could have ... I agree with most of the comments here ... this level of performance is rare if at all today ... thank you John Garner for sharing this amazing movie
Whether it's GB in 1967 or America in 2021, it's so sad to see the poverty, loneliness, disenfranchisement and destitution of sectors of humanity. An amazing performance that challenges my conscience and raises my awareness.
I have always found it sad how elders are treated -- at least since the mid 1960s. Now that I am one of them I see from the other end a disrespect and lack of appreciation among younger people for who we were and what we did during our prime. I always found older folks very interestnig to talk with and listen to. Well, at least I am fortunate to have experienced better days. Very powerful film. Added: After watching two of your restored films I shall hit "subscribe."
I grew up in area of Leicester just like this. The poverty in 1962 was shocking. The house was a slum with an outside toilet no heating, but we had a fire downstairs but we hardly had any coal. I spent my childhood collecting coal along the rail tracks that had fallen off. My dad was a violent drunk and spent what we did have - he was unemployed. The streets were just like the ones in this brilliant film. There were no electric wheelchairs and the elderly & disabled needed their shopping doing. It was a way of making a few pennies doing it for them - and other chores they couldn't manage. We lived next door to a poor Irish family who sent their kids to school with NO shores as their mother spent everything on drink! Even their food cupboards had been padlocked! At a very young age I learnt how to look after my beaten mother by doing whatever I could to heat the fire and get money for food. These times were desperate & horrible. My childhood was terrible. It's haunted me my whole life. This brilliant film brought it all back. Superb and thank the Lord for national assistants.
@@Bebedollie Thank you. This was only a brief outline I wrote here. In reality these times were so so poor. My escape to my home life was going to church and being a choir boy - even though back then I would steal what I could for my mother & brothers to keep warm. All the money I received from helping the house bound elderly was spent on food. I also was interviewed by social workers & teachers about the constant bruising and marks on my body that my dad had done, of course I had to lie. By the age of 12 I was beaten so badly I walked to a police station and they got a restraining order whereupon my father couldn't beat me anymore - but this just made matters worse. I found the church and christianity kept me sane. God bless to you also and anyone else that lived like I did back then.
@joycehamilton698 Thank you. Yes, I joined the RAF at 16 and escaped! However, I met many lads in there who'd had worse childhoods than me. Most had joined to escape their parents - it was sad, really. So the basic, sometimes brutal training, was easier than being at home. In those days, assaulting recruits was common place, I don't think that happens now. God bless.
A real gem, only the British could turn out film of this genre, from the opening scene, oh why are there no longer Actors of this calibre? , a stellar cast, Dame Edith Evans, Eric Portman, Nanette Newman, Ronald Fraser, to name a few, Thank you
Wow. How can you not be so saddened by this. Loneliness and human avarice, it’s everywhere. What a lovely and melancholy depiction of the human condition. “Maggie” was my late sisters name. And the cats and dogs depicted as strays really added to the sense of desperation....what a fine, fine actress. I was less than a year old when this film was released. This is what I get for wandering down the black hole of TH-cam....🙁
What a performance, what a talent, I could barely bring myself to continue watching, someone else has commented that your heart breaks for this sad old lady. I can’t think of a better comment.
I'm glad it ends with the little old lady smiling as she feels at home. It isn't much but she now appreciates her little daily routine and having her 'home' to herself. It's surprising how quickly one can adapt oneself to depravation.
Sometimes Social Services would dole out pennies and then other times give the best of care in the medical and psych hospitals.....and I am assuming that they fixed up her apartment so thoughtfully....
A tragic and haunting movie. It's truly sad that so many elderly people end their lives like this, senile and alone, so terribly alone in the world. I almost want to cry for old Mrs. Ross.
@@tedoneilclark4710 There is definitely some degree of dementia involved. My mother had several of the same symptoms before she really crashed mentally. Fortunately, she wasn't alone like poor Mrs. Ross. Living only ten minutes away I always visited with her every day, twice a day, and when things really got bad I moved in to take care of her, with the help of a home hospice service. She got lucky in that the end came comparatively quick and before everything she was would have melted away. Even diminished as she had gotten my mum was still herself at the end and just slipped away in her sleep.
So powerful. Even though we now have a pause button, I couldn't stop watching for the whole time. May parents split up in the early 60's. My mum received £5 a month maintenance which often was late. We didn't qualify for National Assistance. My mum and my 2 brothers and I lived in a 22ft ex touring caravan and we didn't qualify for council housing. I passed my 11 + and my uniform was £13. We didn't qualify for help with that and my grandfather eventually paid for it, but unfortunately, by the time I got it there only small sizes left. The benefits system today is mad. Edith Evans deserved her Damehood and more.
Facebook is a wonderful networking tool Robert O'Connor which is what I use it for. Animal rescue,Animal Rights etc Facebook is a tool. and dependent how you use it :) But yes love these old films and You Tube personally I would not have a TV if you paid me lol
Miss Laura, like you my wife and I are now in the elder's club of society. Plese do not be sad, we (in my case 70s) lived during an era never to be repeated. It amazes me that by fortune of timing I've been able to have adult conversation with people born in three different centuries. Just an example of the little things that make me feel special. I truly pray you are at peace with God. I know for us it helps to cope with the horrors of this era. Warmest regards. Be a blessing.
l watch this movie and continue to watch not only for the acting, but as a reminder of getting old and the meaning of being alone. Sad how her son could care less about her. It seems that's what's happening with this generation its all about them, not realizing that they to will also get old. You know the saying "what go's around, comes around".
Yes it certainly does! Hurts my heart. I am now the eldest in this side of my family. We lost my sweet Mom on Easter Sunday 2021. She was in hospice with colon cancer. My Mom was stubborn and very religious. She had blown all the docs away by how many times she got up and walked after back surgery of which she had MANY. We were not able to be near her that last year because of covid which she never got even tho her roomie did. We lost my sweet Dad 30yrs ago to diabetes and both of the only grandparents we had around the same time. Even all the aunts and uncles are gone and my younger bro and my youngest bros wife. Even all our elderly dogs. All since 2018. I remind my grandkids there are only 2 ways. You either get old or you die young. I've been way more blessed than I knew when I was younger. I got sick and had to stop working sooner than I planned. But it allowed me much more time with my grandkids at a fairly young age. Something I didn't often have...and sometimes didn't TAKE with their Mom. Worked many many hours to take care of the 2 of us, but lost sight of the most important things quite often. That pain of knowing that you can't go back is always there, but I'm trying to do better with whatever time I have left. Seeing this lovely elderly woman being treated so poorly by most of the people around her is very sad. And also makes me angry, but then I have to remember that I'm not perfect either and made many many mistakes. I have to ask for forgiveness and try harder. Hoping my grandkids will learn some good things from me at least. I'm very glad this sad movie accomplished some of that as well. God bless you all. I hope these wonderful actors are resting in peace🙏🪽 thank you John.
This film is horrific. I was born in 1950 and this was my childhood. The interiors, the bomb damage, the dark poverty. The war ended in 1945 and this was made in 1966 - 20 years after the war had ended and look at England. I am still at work, where 25 year olds have leases on cars worth £45,000. They want flats with fitted kitchens, 55'' in plasma TVs, the latest mobile phones - as of right. Macmillan said we have never had it so good back in the late 1950s. He was wrong. Life now has never been better, but young people now, don't realise what their great grand parents and grand parents, went through. I had loads of relatives like her, living in flats like hers. My grandmother had her elder spinster sister living with her, as a live in dogsbody. we as children helped with the washing in a copper built into the kitchen and the used the mangle before hanging it out on the line. They had outside loos and no bathrooms. They went to the local swimming baths for a bath once a week. Sometimes I wonder how we survived. Memories are a nightmare and I am haunted by them at night.
I can remember visiting elderly great aunts in the dilapidated coastal towns on the south east coast who were living like this in the late 70's. But they told us repeatedly about living in London through the blitz. The spoiled, materialistic youngsters of today are our responsibility. Who brought them up to be like that? So many people have forgotten so quickly how poor this country was right into the 90's, why don't families bring their children up to understand just the history of their own families? And an appreciation for all the material wealth available to them. And the discernment to know what is really worth having. I'm 52 now and still often think fondly of those great aunts and the little things they taught me that I have passed on to my children.
Yes horrific - so why tolerate a Monarchy? DYK that a film The Battleship Potemkin was banned in England because of fear of inciting a revolution? How appalling if the Lords and Ladies could not go fox-hunting due to equality in wealth?
I thought the scammers and grifters belonged to the 2020s, it seems they were always with us. What an excellent film with excellent performances by each and everyone in this movie.
I saw this film when it was first released. It moved me to tears then and still moves me to tears. What a superb performance from Edith Evans well supported by fine acting from the rest of the cast. British film making at its best.
A compelling film. I was looking for something different--classic genre horror, actually, but found this and it's well worth the watch. It's a brutal study of loneliness and the callousness of society. Great performance from Edith Evans.
What a wonderful film, it touches on so many levels, old age, marriage, the welfare state, people's responsibility to each other and, of course, it's a picture of England as it was. Brian Forbes was one of England's very best film directors, and The L-Shaped Room has always been one of my favourite films.
You couldn’t make a film like this anymore Patrick, not because there isn’t the talent, but it’s simply a world that no longer exists, I left school in 1967 , and my northern world was exactly like that, now completely demolished, people always say that we didn’t lock our doors back then, of which was true, because nobody had anything worth stealing, in a way it’s sad, but only because our memories, even the bad ones are so precious..and the older I get the more I realise how precious the past is..
@@nigellee9824very well put. I was born and raised in London, but hardly recognise the areas I was brought up in. Doors were unlocked because nothing to steal, but your neighbours looked after each other and if you needed the last two slices of bread, it was gladly given and favour returned when required. There were bad people around, but strangely as kids, we knew where we shouldn’t go. My grandchildren have more than we could have ever wished for but they are poorer as they have no freedoms and are monitored 24/7. No going out during the summer holidays and coming back at 4pm for them.
This realy turned the waterworks on. I wished that it would end with someone who cuddles and comforts her. To anyone who is lucky enough to have still some elderly persons among theyr loved ones: show them that you care. 🤗
My word. Remarkable storytelling. In the beginning, I felt nothing about this character. By the end, I was in her worn out shoes. That's good storytelling.
I'm so glad that Evan's was recognized with an Oscar nomination. I would think a film like this would be lost with all the widescreen, Technicolor spectacles. The statue went to Katharine Hepburn for an unremarkable performance in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
Dame Edith Evans was incredible and compelling when she was on camera. This says something abt film acting, because everyone else sucked and everyone else was boring. I watched this film because I know many voters felt Evans should have won the Oscar the year this came out. She was a truly great actress.
I thought I had watched all the good black and whites but this was a real nice surprise..thank you for uploading it. Edith Evans was amazing and to see Nanette Newman and others I remember from my childhood made it extra special.
For me the greatest films all come from the 1960s,both in the uk and us alike.This in particular has incredible performances that at times it feels like documentary rather than a film.
wonderful movie, i really enjoyed it! I could watch movies like this just for the brick work architecture,the moving script really plays well with the buildings. I would rate this as a great British classic thanks so much!
What a realistic view, window into her life..Made me cry..as I am now in my 70, and I wonder, will that be me? I have been preyed upon, yet once in a while, once in a while, one meets a kind person, who makes up for all the betrayal, and all the stealing.
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you!
A true masterpiece which reminded me of an incident I experienced in 1967 whilst waiting in a queue at the post office, I was 21 years old. An elderly lady, also queuing, emitted a dreadful smell, obviously urine, which others also queuing recoiled from. I experienced a strange sensation, even today I’m unsure whether it was distaste or compassion. Possibly a mixture of both. I hesitated to watch this film, thinking it would be boring, I am glad I did watch it. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to see life other than from my usual perspective. There but for the grace of God go I.
A beautifully crafted movie. Dame Edith Evans performance was brilliant. A remarkable insight into the life of old age and poverty in Britain. I admire the social service system in Britain.
This was the saddest British movie I think I've ever seen. I really love British movies though. This poor woman. God bless and protect those in her situation.
It's difficult to find, but there's another British film from 1967 that's both moving and horrifying. It's rarely shown on TCM. The title is "Our Mother's House," and it stars Dirke Bogard and Yootha Joyce.
Look in the mirror. Accept yourself. Love yourself. Everyone else is just shadows passing by wrapped up in their own delusions of what it means to be loved. Enjoy the lack of noise in your life, and love the simplicity. If you really want to feel important and valued, volunteer to those who are just as lonely as you are, and make THEM feel important. There, you will meet what it is you need. When you give of yourself, when you be the kind of person you wish cared about you, you will find what you need.
I kept waiting for a pleasant ending. We are important in God's eyes. This woman was miserable all the way through. She could have kept the husband if she dressed like a lady and some makeup. She looked like a slob. The acting was great, but who wants to be happy living alone in a little dump. ??
I'm also reminding myself for being grateful. Up until I was 55 I was always independent, enjoyed life with gusto, never lazy, in pursuit of knowledge, experience, kindness & love in a variety of ways! Now I'm disabled & live alone after 60 years of life. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels in mud, not going anywhere but wanting to be surrounded by loved ones & satisfying my thirst for knowledge. I cry too often when I should be grateful. I don't believe people are meant to be alone, no matter how much money you have. Once people know you have $, some will do everything to take advantage of you! I know, it's happened to me several times. You can't buy friends but when you're disabled it makes it nearly impossible to have the motivation to be inspired to change my life! I need help, I'm stuck between a rock & a hard place! I justify my seclusion by holding on to what money I do have for care-taking in the future. I do have a few good days which I use to go out for necessities, but there I am, spending money! And on top of that is the money I spend on bills or to keep my house clean & my yard taken care of. I feel a horrible loneliness, it hurts more than my physical pain does. It takes me 3 hours to even get myself ready to go out! I no longer complain or cry around people (my parents having passed away last year), because no one wants to be around a cry baby or be in the presence with a victim of their circumstances. Everyone thinks I should be a grateful human being, they always remind me that my life could be worse! I don't ask for much ~ a little kindness & some companionship (it goes a long way!) But nowadays you can't trust anyone & this causes me to have horrible fear! What is a 60 year old woman like me supposed to do? I can relate to many deep seated feelings this film is touching on.
I can't even begin to thank you enough for posting this wonderful movie, I haven't cried so much and I don't know how long. This small little British film from the 60s, probably best movie I've seen in 20 years thank you again
First time I am seeing this movie. The acting of that old lady (Dame Edith) is so brilliant I had to ask myself: is this art imitating life ? Or life imitating art ? In the end the water dripping from the faucet was like a familiar friend to her, giving her an almost comforting feeling of "home". A grim reminder of the loneliness of the end years. In this day and age a movie like this will not make money at the box office. For the simple reason that humanity has lost its soul.
very well and true with the sadness as well , your comment was well addressed , said it all , God Bless you and your family, in these dark and scary times !
I cannot believe I'm only now discovering this film. A masterpiece. As for Dame Edith, there aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe her performance. Achingly, desolately beautiful.
Her performance was beyond superb! One of the greatest jokes in Oscar history that she did not win Best Actress, especially since she won everything else worth winning leading up to the Oscars. Everyone thought she was the winner going in, and what makes it really bad, Kate didn't even care about the win. She only won because Spencer Tracey had died, and it was her first film since that great performance in A Long Days Journey Into Night, something she DID deserve to win for. I have always wondered what might have happened, had the voters known about The Lion In Winter, which would be that very next year, and an amazing performance and Kate won again, tying with Barbara Steisand for Funny Girl.
James Harris I have to agree with you. KH, much as I adore her, did win the sympathy vote that year. Dame Edith definitely gave the superior performance.
Hippie Dachshunds - And unfortunately, there had been other years like that, where you never get the chance again. In the case of The Whisperers, it was Dame Edith's first, and only stating role, so given her age, there was not going to be any more lead roles coming her way.
James Harris Only too true. The Academy doesn't always get it right...in fact I'm quite often amazed at their choices. For example, 31 years later, I am still shaking my head over The Color Purple not winning a single Oscar...
Hippie Dachshunds - Yeah, that's one that gets me as well. Also The Turning Point, nominated for 11, winning zip! Or the True Grit remake, which was WAY better than the John Wayne one, 10 noms, zip!
This elderly woman is a lovely, lonely & gentle soul in need of kindness, understanding & friendship. There are so many around us like her if we have but eyes to see:-)
We are all given the task of forgiving our parents and striving to honor and care for them in old age even if they've hurt us or if we find them unlovely. It may be difficult but it will give us dignity and peace.
bella angel I was abused by my mother throughout my childhood and now I'm responsible for her care. Fortunately, God has granted me the compassion to show her the love and patience she never afforded me. You are correct. It does give me peace.
Bella Angel -- People project onto this character instead of seeing who she is. She WANTS to be alone, every interaction with others is unpleasant for her. First thing she says is "Leave me alone!" and at the end, when she is again left alone she is finally smiling.
I was seven years old when this film was made and I can't believe how archaic it looks.. I watched all these old black and white movies on my lunch time, from school but I don't remember this one. I was hoping the old lady was secretly rich or was just faking being drugged and would get revenge on the thieves, but that didn't happen. In the end she was just happy to be able to go home and and be rid of her looser husband. Sometimes that's enough 🙂 Amazing performance by Edith Evans. I'll definitely be checking out more films with her.
I hadn't seen this film in years. It really shows what the time was like for some people. People are nostalgic about the 60's and how great they were but this shows a harsh reality that the 'Summer of love' was just for a few. The way that the family robbed her and dumped her in the street shows that things haven't changed that much socially. The welfare state helped a lot of people and gave them pensions and unemployment benefit but the way things are now with people having to go to Food banks(mostly run by churches) because they can't get unemployment benefit or housing makes it appear we are going backwards. At least there were jobs around then and British industry was doing great exporting cars and steel, even coal amongst other things, not to forget the wonderful British Film industry. We have no British industry anymore. Nowadays we can't even have a spare bedroom in our own homes without having to pay tax for it.
SC++ Your all caps shouting and name calling are hardly arguments, and in fact, make you sound like the mental midget you apparently seem to be. Britains failed experiment with Socialism has brought it to its current state of affairs. Grow up and lose the epithets, get an education, and someone might pay attention to your thoughts. But I personally doubt it. ==
@@a.t.c.3862 It has been worse for many worldwide. Here in the US I hold the current leftist administration responsible. But what I see in Europe is probably worse. Too bad the EU hasn’t really taken their grip off the British. I blame that government also. We have new elections in November. Hopefully we can rid ourselves of the leftists who seem hellbent on destroying our country.
@@simonegan3698 Well, the Republicans took back the House. That’s big. The Dems controlled the House, the Senate and the executive branch for two years and did nothing productive with that control. We now have an open southern border with millions of illegal aliens and fentanyl pouring across. We are no longer energy independent since Biden’s executive orders on day one. Record inflation that is crushing average citizens. And the democrats have already starting blaming the republicans for the border crisis🤔 setting up what we’re going to hear for the next two years.
i don't know if it's more artistic, but it was a cost measure. Perhaps in those days if the choic was color or B&W, they decided it had to better than best.
As wonderful as color is, it can be a distraction from a story of depth, personal struggle or conflict. Memories are rarely in vivid color which can make a B+W movie more personal, like a memory. Paper Moon, Raging Bull and The Last Picture Show are great examples of modern era B+W films. To turn down a movie just because it is in B+W is foolish.
David Lynch made the correct decision to film THE ELEPHANT MAN in black and white and it works superbly... More recently the excellent film NEBRASKA was shot in monochrome.... That film with a superb central role by Bruce Dern just looks amazing without the colour.
Thank you so much. They wouldn't dare make a film like this today. Weird that TH-cam would recommend this, now, as I'm feeling like I'm going mental from spending so much time alone. Totally relate to this woman. Thankfully there was at least one person who really did care about her; the scenes involving people with evil intentions were very well done. Very realistic. A new favourite. Oh and I must mention, I love the many cats !
They've made films on this subject recently, unless you mean other implied themes. Sorry to hear you're lonely! We all feel like that at times. In the perhaps unlikely event you live in London, I'd happily meet for a drink or a walk.
I was born in Australia, 1952, so I really can't relate to rations, but my hubby, who was born in Wales in 1944, had a very poor upbringing, he is a very kind and strong man.
They say people who are afraid to spend long periods alone usually never find out who they are. If we live our lives for the approval we become their slaves. I am 72 and relish my alone time. When I am around others I appreciate them all the more.
I saw this film as a kid. It haunted me. I stayed with my mom in her 90s til she passed at 98 and glad I did. All her friends had died before her and her siblings. I lost some years in income but have no regrets, as difficult as my own future can seem. No one should be left feeble and alone, nor shut up in some horrible nursing USA nursing home hell. We oftentimes warehouse our elderly like cattle so we can have our "lifestyle" uninterrupted.. Thanks for posting this gem of a film.
BLESS YOU FOR EVERRRRRR❤❤❤❤❤
A circle-they us we them. God bless you.
@@John-sk2jl honour thy mother and father. How sad that we don't obey a basic commandment❤️
Sly... in reply. What an honourable child you are!
What you wrote is so terribly touching: it speaks
volumes of what is in your heart, spirit & Soul !
May God bestow upon you blessings of every
Grace in this life & the next life:
❤ " Well done, Good & Faithful Servant " ❤
It was a spiritual moment to have come across yr
letter and to have had the gift to have read it !
Pure Joy.
I strongly agree.. I also took care of my Mom and my Dad ..until their Passing…No Nursing Home for them…and God Blessed us all and I thank him! 🙏🏼
Dame Edith Evans should have won the Oscar for this heartbreaking and riveting performance!!!!
right she was an incredible actress
Yes. She was nominated, but it went to Katharine Hepburn for ."Guess Whose Coming to Dinner," for a very ordinary performance.
AGREE. Makes Will Smith look like a complete barbarian and so not deserving of ANY accolade.
@@sedekiman824 I agree completely
This film would have been considered foreign by Hollywood Edith Evans, a remarkable actor
No explosions, no nudity, no swearing. What a beautifully crafted seven course feast for the eyes, brain and soul....wonderful....what isn't said is as loud as thunder.
Perfect
Isn’t it the truth? They’ve ruined our country, USA, and others with the low class, slutty movies and shows they have on these days. It’s disgusting. No morality. 😢
All the actors are dead now. Dead! Lol.
@@SofaKingShitThis film is from 1967. That's hardly surprising. Nanette Newman may still be alive. She was probably only in her mid twenties here.
@@Miniver765 she's still alive. 89.
My mother just passed away in August of this year. She reminds me of her. My mom was 81. I hate the thought of someone hurting this woman. She is just lonely. She looks so sad. My mom got that same look. She also had dementia when she died. Our elderly need us. I had my mom and she had me. Love one another.
My mother died over a year ago at age 84. She had dementia and other health issues. This was a rather sad film to watch because it reminded of my elderly mom and the hardship of failed health and dis eased mind she endured in the winter of her life.
🙏💔🌠😔
😔💔🎭
So sorry fir your loss! I lost my 89 year old mother in June 2020. This will be my first Christmas without her. May your memories help you smile! God's Peace!
Very sorry of your loss.I miss my mom,she fell asleep in death in 1986.Encouraging videos on the resurrection hope at jw.org
Today as I was cleaning out my house where I've lived for the past 33 years (I'm 77) I stopped to think about all my possessions. Do I own them or do they own me? Some are worthless, others are worth a few dollars. Many are dear, a few cause me pain or shame, some make me laugh or feel chagrin. . My sons, daughters in law and my grandchildren have been helping me clean out the clutter, since I don't want to die, leaving them to face the task of sorting through things without knowing the significance of some of them. My husband is in an assisted living home since I can't take of him--I can barely hobble around and take care of myself. Society uses the term "disabled," but back in the day we just called it crippled. In my case time just caught up with and overtook me, laying waste to bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, strength and vitality, leaving me tired and hurting. Almost all my friends and family around my age have shuffled off this mortal coil or moved. I am alone, but strangely, not really lonely, except for the odd occasion when I I travel down memory lane and get stuck. I derive comfort, though, and solace from my memories which my belongings call to mind. They wrap around my shivering shoulders like a cozy, soft warm blanket. They are the keys to the locked vaults which hold troves of precious memories, remembrances, of people, places, things, experiences, laughter tears, passion, grief, joy, fears and faith. Imagine just touching or looking at a piece of debris from my past I can feel, smell, hear, taste and see someone or something that meant, means, so very much. That's why it's hard for us to let go of "things." They are a mnemonic for everything that made me what I am. I appear to be a shriveled up, shaky, shuffling, wrinkled old crone, but inside, my darlings, I am young and bursting with the passion of life. I don't want to go back and do it all over again--I just want to feel it again once in a while. I can, and I do, thanks to my keys to my yesterdays, because you see my dear ones, I have about run out of my allotment of tomorrows. I look forward to spending eternity in the presence of my Heavenly Father, but I am grateful for the life he gave me on my journey.
God Bless you my dear. ❤🎉❤
What insight captured so beautifully. I’m getting shriveled, too, and relate with your sentiments.
You expressed what many feel
@sagrammy...77?! Nonsense - you aren’t even full-grown yet: where I come from that’s about the age young folk leave home to strike out on their own and start courting...oh, you septuagenarians - why, you don’t even remember the War...wish I had your youth!
How lovely! You took me far away for a while, reading that. I want to read your life in a book. What a wonderful life you must have had. God bless you always, darling. ❤🙏💐
Very disturbing and heartbreaking!
This is a reminder to always check on your elderly neighbors and make it a point to learn who your neighbors are the way we used to years ago.
If anybody ever told me, that I, as a senior citizen would be living alone surviving on SSD and Assistance, I would’ve never believed it, but here I am.
You never know how your life is going to turn out.
I hear you 😢, so busy with life and kids and work and then it’s all over😢 you are alone
Jesus Christ is Sufficient ❤️
John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
seek Him Christ Jesus, Matthew 11 28 Come To Me ALL Who Labor And Are Heavy Laden And I will give you Rest. The Holy Spirit is known as the Comforter 🙏🏻🕊️✝️❤️
SO agree. Heart breaking brilliant film
GOD BLESS you❤ very wise wise words.
@@angelaabernathy9709i feel alone. Kids grown up and suddenly it's only you 😢
What a magnificent performance from Edith Evans. What a masterpiece.
Britian values its older actors and actresses. They don't need cosmetic surgery because they are beautiful the way they are.
It's superb. Up there with all the great stars. Look at the way Dame Edith at first genuinely does seem to be a 'lady', but when her husband comes back and she begins to remember certain things about her past (ie, that she lived in a palace, but only as a servant) her voice and mannerisms change. That's real talent and requires a close understanding of the British class system as well.
What an amazing film, I'm surprised that I never seen or heard of it before, spectacular performance by Dame Edith. I was born in 1961, and this is how I remember old folk living in the 60's, that said, I grew up in a small Irish town, we looked after our old, and when I was a child there was a number of old people I called with to see if they needed any messages, as we called it then, its not that I was a good Samaritan, everyone called with the old folk to see if they needed anything.
We had an old lady on her own living beside us, and she hammered the wall at least 10 times a day, it wasn't to complain about noise though, she would be looking one of us in to do something. We ran all her errands, my Mum would get her dressed in the morning, and ready for bed at bedtime, we done everything for her, at no cost.
Amazing comment x
🙏
I live in the US. BUT I MUST SAY. Brittish filmmakers, n actors, n actresses are the very best of all. There's absolutely no comparison. Thank you for another masterpiece.
I am SO happy to see that another American is hooked as bad as we are! We got hooked coupla years ago on 'Still Game'. 🤣😂🤣❤
Same ! Love British movies, shows
Totally agree
Thank you, i grew up in exactly this kind of neighbourhood, a lot of the north of England was like this….it was poor and all the houses needed modernising, but they were all demolished…a world gone..
I have to say I so totally agree with you. I have tried watching American B movies and they just do not compare, whether the acting, the sets or the camera work. Greetings to you from the Old Country - on the eastern side of The Pond.
I was born in 1952 in London - 7 Years after the 2nd world war. We had to live on rations until 1958/59. As a child I was not aware, Gruel/porridge and cocoa for breakfast, nothing until the evening and rabbit stew, with a pathetic amount of vegetables. I first saw roast beef in 1963 at the age of 11 years old and ate it furiously. I first saw a joint of pork at the age of 14 and chicken was a luxury. I started work at 15 years of age in 1967. I have no gripe about all this, I just want to say, how bad was it for the generation before me. In England we pay for history all the time. Anyway enjoy our lovely films and the innocence of the past.
Gregory.
greg sexton Thank you for such a descriptive and interesting comment.
I was born in 1956 and it wasn't too bad growing up here in Glasgow. I do remember thinking we were rich when a TV got delivered!😄. I also remember that bananas were relatively new to we Brits?
Interesting. People want meat so badly but now that same desire for meat is the reason for so many resources going to raise and slaughter animals and sanitize animal products on one side and to build great hospitals to treat heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, etc. on the other side, much of which is preventable by not eating meat. I was born in 1961 and am 61 now and vegan for the past 6 years. Was a caregiver to my parents and grandmother for 17 years. I know what eating animal products does to the body.
Probably the most powerful performance I have ever watched . I was born in December 1961 into unbelievable poverty and I remember the hardships from about four or five years of age onwards . Everybody knew rogues and the poorer the area the more you looked up at them .
National Assistance wasn't an automatic right , well it was but I can tell you they would use any excuse to stop it just in case you might have managed to save a sixpence . An unbelievable effort to survive in those days . Fair sends a shiver down my spine .
It sent a shiver down mine too, I had to watch it in sections and have breaks it was so disturbing.
It is returning to those days now. After becoming unwell I had to leave my job as a nurse. The DWP have been appalling and it is no wonder so many suicides occur due to them.
@@lr6633 There is no sense of justice and loyalty to the British people from any Government organization . Often actions and decisions fly in the face of even common sense . That's why I left 20 years ago .
Try to stay strong and pursue your entitlements Above all don't let those you deal with ever see a sign of weakness . Heaven only knows you would think they were giving out their very own money in the form of benefits .
@@johnniethepom2905 Thank you I will x
@@lr6633 our systems in society let us down, somehow or other the refresh button needs to be pressed! A big splodge of love, trust and caring is required, then we'd all feel better!
This film was actually a landmark film which caused changes in the benefits system and high lighted the need for more improved services for the elderly.Edith Evans you deserved an oscar for this role.RIP.Incidental music is also meloncolicly haunting.
Wonderful!
I couldn't go farther than 20 minutes in, I was too afraid that I had/have seen this movie before, if it is.. then please lets all be better to each and all of us. if this is that movie.. its heart, heartbreaking..
@@bold810 Despite everything the character does seem to enjoy her life and basic routines when she's not getting hoodwinked, that's what I got from it.
"meloncolicly "?
Music by the great John Barry
What a touching movie. The reality is that there are so many elderly living on their own, lonely, struggling. I really felt for this woman. Great movie
Hello 👋 shaheen...
"you said I'd have a sausage " brilliant line , brilliant acting , brilliant film
Brutal and realistic as I am growing older myself.The world is unkind especially these days.Not too much compassion out there.Missed this movie when I was growing up.Glad to see it now.
I'm so sorry, god bless you dear and merry Christmas❤
what in the world happen to the money she put in the kitchen table drawer ???
@@caroltusomi8465 My guess- whoever cleaned her apartment found it and took it. 🥲 What a sad, sad movie.
eu vi nesse filme ai , os velhos tratam mal os proprios velhos
Same here I totally agree.
Reminds me so much of my Grandmother, before she passed away one month shy of ninety years. Her house, about three times the amount of living space as the movie depicts, was actually collapsing under the weight of all of her reference books and materials. There were only narrow pathways through which she could walk from room to room, flanked on either side by stacks of reading material -- religious reference books, National Geographic magazines, medical books, etc. She was, indeed, such the avid reader.
Did u give her company.
?
You’re Grandmother sounds like she was a very clever and intelligent lady. She obviously had a great love of books and a passion to learn everything she could. She sounds like a wonderful old lady.It couldn’t have been easy clearing out her house when she passed away.!. I so hope you didn’t throw the books away and hope you passed some of them on. Knowledge and great books should be passed on.Surely the National Geographic magazines would be collectors items?.She obviously liked to study, as well as reading having all those reference books .May your Grandmother rest in blissful peace. X
This is the most amazing heart breaking performance i think i have ever seen ... Edith Evans stunned me with levels of sympathy for a character i didn't know i could have ... I agree with most of the comments here ... this level of performance is rare if at all today ... thank you John Garner for sharing this amazing movie
Loneliness is the worst part for being old, if you still have old parents try to be loving and caring because one day you'll be in the same path.😣😣😣
This film breaks my heart like few others. One of the great film performances of all time.
Whether it's GB in 1967 or America in 2021, it's so sad to see the poverty, loneliness, disenfranchisement and destitution of sectors of humanity. An amazing performance that challenges my conscience and raises my awareness.
Not much has changed
I have always found it sad how elders are treated -- at least since the mid 1960s. Now that I am one of them I see from the other end a disrespect and lack of appreciation among younger people for who we were and what we did during our prime. I always found older folks very interestnig to talk with and listen to. Well, at least I am fortunate to have experienced better days. Very powerful film. Added: After watching two of your restored films I shall hit "subscribe."
I love listening to the elderly and helping them .This movie made me sad for her .But it's not over yet .😊
I'm thankful my parents taught me to respect my elders
I grew up in area of Leicester just like this. The poverty in 1962 was shocking. The house was a slum with an outside toilet no heating, but we had a fire downstairs but we hardly had any coal. I spent my childhood collecting coal along the rail tracks that had fallen off. My dad was a violent drunk and spent what we did have - he was unemployed. The streets were just like the ones in this brilliant film. There were no electric wheelchairs and the elderly & disabled needed their shopping doing. It was a way of making a few pennies doing it for them - and other chores they couldn't manage. We lived next door to a poor Irish family who sent their kids to school with NO shores as their mother spent everything on drink! Even their food cupboards had been padlocked! At a very young age I learnt how to look after my beaten mother by doing whatever I could to heat the fire and get money for food. These times were desperate & horrible. My childhood was terrible. It's haunted me my whole life. This brilliant film brought it all back. Superb and thank the Lord for national assistants.
Godbless u ❤
@@Bebedollie Thank you. This was only a brief outline I wrote here. In reality these times were so so poor. My escape to my home life was going to church and being a choir boy - even though back then I would steal what I could for my mother & brothers to keep warm. All the money I received from helping the house bound elderly was spent on food.
I also was interviewed by social workers & teachers about the constant bruising and marks on my body that my dad had done, of course I had to lie. By the age of 12 I was beaten so badly I walked to a police station and they got a restraining order whereupon my father couldn't beat me anymore - but this just made matters worse. I found the church and christianity kept me sane. God bless to you also and anyone else that lived like I did back then.
I’m so very sorry , God bless you. ❤
Hope you are living a much better life now!!🙏🙏🙏
@joycehamilton698 Thank you. Yes, I joined the RAF at 16 and escaped! However, I met many lads in there who'd had worse childhoods than me. Most had joined to escape their parents - it was sad, really. So the basic, sometimes brutal training, was easier than being at home. In those days, assaulting recruits was common place, I don't think that happens now. God bless.
It's not a horror Film but it is a masterpiece of Social Realism. Edith Evans was tremendous in this.
A real gem, only the British could turn out film of this genre, from the opening scene, oh why are there no longer Actors of this calibre? , a stellar cast, Dame Edith Evans, Eric Portman, Nanette Newman, Ronald Fraser, to name a few, Thank you
You are so right!
Don't forget Leonard Rossiter, a truly amazing actor. He could make you laugh and cry 💜
i am upset that this is my first time ever hearing of this movie...what a labor of love for those that brought us this film
Eleanor Rigby on film - the monochromatic landscape and life captured in painful accuracy.
Sad, but beautifully acted
Your heart breaks for the poor old lady. WHAT A PERFORMANCE!
Wow. How can you not be so saddened by this. Loneliness and human avarice, it’s everywhere. What a lovely and melancholy depiction of the human condition. “Maggie” was my late sisters name. And the cats and dogs depicted as strays really added to the sense of desperation....what a fine, fine actress. I was less than a year old when this film was released. This is what I get for wandering down the black hole of TH-cam....🙁
What a performance, what a talent, I could barely bring myself to continue watching, someone else has commented that your heart breaks for this sad old lady. I can’t think of a better comment.
What I like about these old films is that they don't glamourise criminals. There's no honour among thieves.
Sometimes when you watch a movie, you can tell it has been made with painstaking love and commitment by all concerned. This is one such movie.
Yes, acting was superb.
I'm glad it ends with the little old lady smiling as she feels at home. It isn't much but she now appreciates her little daily routine and having her 'home' to herself. It's surprising how quickly one can adapt oneself to depravation.
True in most cases, abused, trashy messy home..hoarders,
@@paintilludrop Hard on the old girl?
Sometimes Social Services would dole out pennies and then other times give the best of care in the medical and psych hospitals.....and I am assuming that they fixed up her apartment so thoughtfully....
Ugh thanks for giving away the ending lol! I often will pause something I'm watching to read comments.
@@jean2479yes. Who are these people who love to spoil everything in the comments?! 😆
This is a great film they don't make films like this anymore
A tragic and haunting movie. It's truly sad that so many elderly people end their lives like this, senile and alone, so terribly alone in the world. I almost want to cry for old Mrs. Ross.
I wouldn't say that she was senile, actually very up with it especially for those days and considering her age ect.
@@tedoneilclark4710 There is definitely some degree of dementia involved. My mother had several of the same symptoms before she really crashed mentally. Fortunately, she wasn't alone like poor Mrs. Ross. Living only ten minutes away I always visited with her every day, twice a day, and when things really got bad I moved in to take care of her, with the help of a home hospice service. She got lucky in that the end came comparatively quick and before everything she was would have melted away. Even diminished as she had gotten my mum was still herself at the end and just slipped away in her sleep.
@@LordZontarno senility
@@terry4137 The woman's on her way to it, though. Senility just doesn't happen all at once. It creeps up on its victims and the family.
Senile means old!
So powerful. Even though we now have a pause button, I couldn't stop watching for the whole time. May parents split up in the early 60's. My mum received £5 a month maintenance which often was late. We didn't qualify for National Assistance. My mum and my 2 brothers and I lived in a 22ft ex touring caravan and we didn't qualify for council housing. I passed my 11 + and my uniform was £13. We didn't qualify for help with that and my grandfather eventually paid for it, but unfortunately, by the time I got it there only small sizes left. The benefits system today is mad. Edith Evans deserved her Damehood and more.
I would rather be here on you tube watching great movies then on Facebook
Facebook is a wonderful networking tool Robert O'Connor which is what I use it for. Animal rescue,Animal Rights etc Facebook is a tool. and dependent how you use it :) But yes love these old films and You Tube personally I would not have a TV if you paid me lol
leona Roys roys ....Together they spy on us big time anyway....but there's a lot less opinions & such to deal with here, huh?😉
they can spy on me all they want. i have nothing to hide....
It's a typo for goodness sake,what are you some kind a grammar Nazi??!
Might the mistake just be a typo? It happens, you know....:-)
I watched this while young, and loved it, but as I get older, it hits home.....
I know how it feels. I'm trying to save up enough money while I still have a job.
To provide for me in my twilight years.
Miss Laura, like you my wife and I are now in the elder's club of society. Plese do not be sad, we (in my case 70s) lived during an era never to be repeated. It amazes me that by fortune of timing I've been able to have adult conversation with people born in three different centuries. Just an example of the little things that make me feel special. I truly pray you are at peace with God. I know for us it helps to cope with the horrors of this era. Warmest regards. Be a blessing.
l watch this movie and continue to watch not only for the acting, but as a reminder of getting old and the meaning of being alone. Sad how her son could care less about her. It seems that's what's happening with this generation its all about them, not realizing that they to will also get old. You know the saying "what go's around, comes around".
Yes it certainly does! Hurts my heart. I am now the eldest in this side of my family. We lost my sweet Mom on Easter Sunday 2021. She was in hospice with colon cancer. My Mom was stubborn and very religious. She had blown all the docs away by how many times she got up and walked after back surgery of which she had MANY. We were not able to be near her that last year because of covid which she never got even tho her roomie did. We lost my sweet Dad 30yrs ago to diabetes and both of the only grandparents we had around the same time. Even all the aunts and uncles are gone and my younger bro and my youngest bros wife. Even all our elderly dogs. All since 2018. I remind my grandkids there are only 2 ways. You either get old or you die young. I've been way more blessed than I knew when I was younger. I got sick and had to stop working sooner than I planned. But it allowed me much more time with my grandkids at a fairly young age. Something I didn't often have...and sometimes didn't TAKE with their Mom. Worked many many hours to take care of the 2 of us, but lost sight of the most important things quite often. That pain of knowing that you can't go back is always there, but I'm trying to do better with whatever time I have left. Seeing this lovely elderly woman being treated so poorly by most of the people around her is very sad. And also makes me angry, but then I have to remember that I'm not perfect either and made many many mistakes. I have to ask for forgiveness and try harder. Hoping my grandkids will learn some good things from me at least. I'm very glad this sad movie accomplished some of that as well. God bless you all. I hope these wonderful actors are resting in peace🙏🪽 thank you John.
This film is horrific. I was born in 1950 and this was my childhood. The interiors, the bomb damage, the dark poverty. The war ended in 1945 and this was made in 1966 - 20 years after the war had ended and look at England. I am still at work, where 25 year olds have leases on cars worth £45,000. They want flats with fitted kitchens, 55'' in plasma TVs, the latest mobile phones - as of right. Macmillan said we have never had it so good back in the late 1950s. He was wrong. Life now has never been better, but young people now, don't realise what their great grand parents and grand parents, went through. I had loads of relatives like her, living in flats like hers. My grandmother had her elder spinster sister living with her, as a live in dogsbody. we as children helped with the washing in a copper built into the kitchen and the used the mangle before hanging it out on the line. They had outside loos and no bathrooms. They went to the local swimming baths for a bath once a week. Sometimes I wonder how we survived. Memories are a nightmare and I am haunted by them at night.
I can remember visiting elderly great aunts in the dilapidated coastal towns on the south east coast who were living like this in the late 70's. But they told us repeatedly about living in London through the blitz. The spoiled, materialistic youngsters of today are our responsibility. Who brought them up to be like that? So many people have forgotten so quickly how poor this country was right into the 90's, why don't families bring their children up to understand just the history of their own families? And an appreciation for all the material wealth available to them. And the discernment to know what is really worth having. I'm 52 now and still often think fondly of those great aunts and the little things they taught me that I have passed on to my children.
Yes horrific - so why tolerate a Monarchy? DYK that a film The Battleship Potemkin was banned in England because of fear of inciting a revolution? How appalling if the Lords and Ladies could not go fox-hunting due to equality in wealth?
Wonderful film. I'd rather watch these than mainstream current crap
I offten watch old classic films on you tube, as tv is all repeats and new stuff not worth watching,
So true , plus all new films are all to do with violence, murder and every other word has to be swearing,
I thought the scammers and grifters belonged to the 2020s, it seems they were always with us. What an excellent film with excellent performances by each and everyone in this movie.
This is what socialism does. It's been around forever. Warehoused people.
@@kathyflorcruz552 🤡
Two thumbs up. Compelling character-driven movie about an old lady and her altered reality..
I saw this film when it was first released. It moved me to tears then and still moves me to tears. What a superb performance from Edith Evans well supported by fine acting from the rest of the cast. British film making at its best.
A compelling film. I was looking for something different--classic genre horror, actually, but found this and it's well worth the watch. It's a brutal study of loneliness and the callousness of society. Great performance from Edith Evans.
What a wonderful film, it touches on so many levels, old age, marriage, the welfare state, people's responsibility to each other and, of course, it's a picture of England as it was. Brian Forbes was one of England's very best film directors, and The L-Shaped Room has always been one of my favourite films.
nobody's making films of this quality anymore
You couldn’t make a film like this anymore Patrick, not because there isn’t the talent, but it’s simply a world that no longer exists, I left school in 1967 , and my northern world was exactly like that, now completely demolished, people always say that we didn’t lock our doors back then, of which was true, because nobody had anything worth stealing, in a way it’s sad, but only because our memories, even the bad ones are so precious..and the older I get the more I realise how precious the past is..
Very good movie!!
@@nigellee9824very well put. I was born and raised in London, but hardly recognise the areas I was brought up in. Doors were unlocked because nothing to steal, but your neighbours looked after each other and if you needed the last two slices of bread, it was gladly given and favour returned when required. There were bad people around, but strangely as kids, we knew where we shouldn’t go. My grandchildren have more than we could have ever wished for but they are poorer as they have no freedoms and are monitored 24/7. No going out during the summer holidays and coming back at 4pm for them.
@@bridiesmith5110 you are living in cloud cuckoo land.
@@PetroicaRodinogaster264 if only I was.
The acting in this was superb. Even the smaller roles. Very memorable.
I'm so glad I found this movie.What a gem! I've watched over and over. :)
This realy turned the waterworks on. I wished that it would end with someone who cuddles and comforts her. To anyone who is lucky enough to have still some elderly persons among theyr loved ones: show them that you care. 🤗
It was a nice touch having the bureaucrat be her guardian angel since they are usually portrayed as the 'baddies'.
One of finest English language performances ever captured on film. Great that future generations will be able to experience it.
Me being almost 74, l identify. Am surrounded by lonely old abandoned pensioners.. .marvellous film.
My word. Remarkable storytelling. In the beginning, I felt nothing about this character. By the end, I was in her worn out shoes. That's good storytelling.
I'm so glad that Evan's was recognized with an Oscar nomination. I would think a film like this would be lost with all the widescreen, Technicolor spectacles. The statue went to Katharine Hepburn for an unremarkable performance in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
I just love this movie, can watch it over and over
I need to appreciate and cherish my mom more!! Soul-touching!!!
Jesus-is-mine - I wish I could. She no longer talks to me. I left her religion, the Jehovah's Wintesses.
Religion has a lot to answer for!
Dame Edith Evans was incredible and compelling when she was on camera. This says something abt film acting, because everyone else sucked and everyone else was boring. I watched this film because I know many voters felt Evans should have won the Oscar the year this came out. She was a truly great actress.
What a sad depresing movie. The reality of old age for the lonely and the heartless people that take advantage of them. It made my blood boil.
I thought I had watched all the good black and whites but this was a real nice surprise..thank you for uploading it. Edith Evans was amazing and to see Nanette Newman and others I remember from my childhood made it extra special.
Reminds me of the poverty of the sixties as a child growing up. Grandparents having little, but what they had they appreciated.
What a touching film, with amazing acting.
try tiger bay
A marvelous portrait of growing old in a not so charming world. Dame Evans is magnificent.
Dame Edith.
Growing old in a rather cold and cruel world. And there was a time when it was far worse and it seems we're slipping backward toward those evil days.
Such a true, and sad movie.
Beautiful.
Our elderly are a treasure chest of wisdom and knowledge. That is why they are called GOLDEN YEARS !!
My auntie at 90 said, " golden years my ass, nothin golden about getting old"
A brilliant,touching movie. Edith Evans performance is so natural.She lived the role. Just wonderful.
For me the greatest films all come from the 1960s,both in the uk and us alike.This in particular has incredible performances that at times it feels like documentary rather than a film.
Superbly acted, dismally sad, hauntingly depressing, and emotionally exhausting - I couldn't look away!
+LUCINDA BAKER I can add nothing except what a powerful performance by Dame Edith Evans!
+Patrick O'Neill - It certainly was a beautiful and powerful performance Patrick!
+LUCINDA BAKER You think this is as you say hauntingly and depressing and emotionally exhausting should take a walk outside sometime.
roderick sloan - Believe me...I've been outside enough times to know what it's like out in the world!
LUCINDA BAKER Happy for you lucinda was only mucking about you keep happy.
What an utterly Powerful film, My God, its so moving
Such a sad, well-acted and haunting film. Hard to forget -- it's stuck with me since I saw it on BBC something like 50 years ago.
wonderful movie, i really enjoyed it!
I could watch movies like this just for the brick work architecture,the moving script really plays well with the buildings.
I would rate this as a great British classic thanks so much!
Fantastic actress. Great film. No police sirens, shootings or explosions. Thanks Brian Forbes. Good to see Eric Portman.
Never before in the history of human politics has so much been owed by so few to so many.
One of the most well acted movies ever...by all the actors.
What a realistic view, window into her life..Made me cry..as I am now in my 70, and I wonder, will that be me? I have been preyed upon, yet once in a while, once in a while, one meets a kind person, who makes up for all the betrayal, and all the stealing.
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Like treasure hunting with these British films. Most times you score big time. Thank you.
Beautifully made... I'm an American whom finds English movies fascinating 😢
A true masterpiece which reminded me of an incident I experienced in 1967 whilst waiting in a queue at the post office, I was 21 years old. An elderly lady, also queuing, emitted a dreadful smell, obviously urine, which others also queuing recoiled from. I experienced a strange sensation, even today I’m unsure whether it was distaste or compassion. Possibly a mixture of both. I hesitated to watch this film, thinking it would be boring, I am glad I did watch it. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to see life other than from my usual perspective. There but for the grace of God go I.
A beautifully crafted movie. Dame Edith Evans performance was brilliant. A remarkable insight into the life of old age and poverty in Britain. I admire the social service system in Britain.
You admire them for snooping through the rooms in people's homes to verify they're flat broke?
This was the saddest British movie I think I've ever seen. I really love British movies though. This poor woman. God bless and protect those in her situation.
It's difficult to find, but there's another British film from 1967 that's both moving and horrifying. It's rarely shown on TCM. The title is "Our Mother's House," and it stars Dirke Bogard and Yootha Joyce.
I would say this is me as an old man, but who am I kidding? This is me RIGHT NOW! Lonely, wanting to feel important in someone's eyes. Anyone's eyes.
aww im sorry and i know how you feel
tudor chick
Look in the mirror. Accept yourself. Love yourself. Everyone else is just shadows passing by wrapped up in their own delusions of what it means to be loved. Enjoy the lack of noise in your life, and love the simplicity. If you really want to feel important and valued, volunteer to those who are just as lonely as you are, and make THEM feel important. There, you will meet what it is you need. When you give of yourself, when you be the kind of person you wish cared about you, you will find what you need.
I kept waiting for a pleasant ending. We are important in God's eyes. This woman was miserable all the way through. She could have kept the husband if she dressed like a lady and some makeup. She looked like a slob. The acting was great, but who wants to be happy living alone in a little dump. ??
I'm also reminding myself for being grateful. Up until I was 55 I was always independent, enjoyed life with gusto, never lazy, in pursuit of knowledge, experience, kindness & love in a variety of ways! Now I'm disabled & live alone after 60 years of life. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels in mud, not going anywhere but wanting to be surrounded by loved ones & satisfying my thirst for knowledge. I cry too often when I should be grateful. I don't believe people are meant to be alone, no matter how much money you have. Once people know you have $, some will do everything to take advantage of you! I know, it's happened to me several times. You can't buy friends but when you're disabled it makes it nearly impossible to have the motivation to be inspired to change my life! I need help, I'm stuck between a rock & a hard place! I justify my seclusion by holding on to what money I do have for care-taking in the future. I do have a few good days which I use to go out for necessities, but there I am, spending money! And on top of that is the money I spend on bills or to keep my house clean & my yard taken care of. I feel a horrible loneliness, it hurts more than my physical pain does. It takes me 3 hours to even get myself ready to go out! I no longer complain or cry around people (my parents having passed away last year), because no one wants to be around a cry baby or be in the presence with a victim of their circumstances. Everyone thinks I should be a grateful human being, they always remind me that my life could be worse! I don't ask for much ~ a little kindness & some companionship (it goes a long way!) But nowadays you can't trust anyone & this causes me to have horrible fear! What is a 60 year old woman like me supposed to do? I can relate to many deep seated feelings this film is touching on.
I can't even begin to thank you enough for posting this wonderful movie, I haven't cried so much and I don't know how long. This small little British film from the 60s, probably best movie I've seen in 20 years thank you again
What a very sinister smile exchanged between father and daughter.
This dear sweet elderly lady truly touched my heart♥
Margarita Di Kanti o
First time I ever saw this movie. It broke my heart. ❤ What wonderful actors. This is a truly moving film.
Bryan Forbes was a gifted all-round film maker and writer.
I’ve watched this film over and over. It reminds me of when I was growing up in the 60s. Lovely film. Thankyou for sharing
Watching is like looking back in my life. I watched this in the early 70’s. Brilliant acting by Edith Evans
With my mouth words, I hereby decree, that this old movie is as fine as can be.
First time I am seeing this movie. The acting of that old lady (Dame Edith) is so brilliant I had to ask myself: is this art imitating life ? Or life imitating art ? In the end the water dripping from the faucet was like a familiar friend to her, giving her an almost comforting feeling of "home". A grim reminder of the loneliness of the end years. In this day and age a movie like this will not make money at the box office. For the simple reason that humanity has lost its soul.
Extremely well summed up. I believe, u may have studied journalism? 🤔🎭 🌬👨🎓✌🌠
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 3 nominations. - imdb
very well and true with the sadness as well , your comment was well addressed , said it all , God Bless you and your family, in these dark and scary times !
@@anthonycarolla8634 PPPP/ⁿP
Couldn't agree more.
I remember women like her character back then , hard life's , uncomplaining and taken advantage off. A marvelous performance from Edith Evans.
I cannot believe I'm only now discovering this film. A masterpiece. As for Dame Edith, there aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe her performance. Achingly, desolately beautiful.
Her performance was beyond superb! One of the greatest jokes in Oscar history that she did not win Best Actress, especially since she won everything else worth winning leading up to the Oscars. Everyone thought she was the winner going in, and what makes it really bad, Kate didn't even care about the win. She only won because Spencer Tracey had died, and it was her first film since that great performance in A Long Days Journey Into Night, something she DID deserve to win for. I have always wondered what might have happened, had the voters known about The Lion In Winter, which would be that very next year, and an amazing performance and Kate won again, tying with Barbara Steisand for Funny Girl.
James Harris I have to agree with you. KH, much as I adore her, did win the sympathy vote that year. Dame Edith definitely gave the superior performance.
Hippie Dachshunds - And unfortunately, there had been other years like that, where you never get the chance again. In the case of The Whisperers, it was Dame Edith's first, and only stating role, so given her age, there was not going to be any more lead roles coming her way.
James Harris Only too true.
The Academy doesn't always get it right...in fact I'm quite often amazed at their choices. For example, 31 years later, I am still shaking my head over The Color Purple not winning a single Oscar...
Hippie Dachshunds - Yeah, that's one that gets me as well. Also The Turning Point, nominated for 11, winning zip! Or the True Grit remake, which was WAY better than the John Wayne one, 10 noms, zip!
Dame Edith Evans was a great actress!
Beautiful, brilliant, a classic. British cinema from this era never disappoints. Thanks for sharing! 😚 😙 😘
It's another woman's story....representing many of us even when the details are different.
Perfectly done.
Janis Wilder .there are men with the same story, ditched, screwed by there wives. it is 50 50.
I have seen this movie two times and still love it. It always amazes me how cruel some people will be..for a few bucks. Awesome acting!
Wow. What a great performance by Dame Edith. Brilliant production. 7 Stars
This elderly woman is a lovely, lonely & gentle soul in need of kindness, understanding & friendship. There are so many around us like her if we have but eyes to see:-)
What's to say she didn't alienate her family earlier in life somehow. Brilliant acting though.
We are all given the task of forgiving our parents and striving to honor and care for them in old age even if they've hurt us or if we find them unlovely. It may be difficult but it will give us dignity and peace.
bella angel
I was abused by my mother throughout my childhood and now I'm responsible for her care. Fortunately, God has granted me the compassion to show her the love and patience she never afforded me. You are correct. It does give me peace.
Bless you.
Bella Angel -- People project onto this character instead of seeing who she is. She WANTS to be alone, every interaction with others is unpleasant for her. First thing she says is "Leave me alone!" and at the end, when she is again left alone she is finally smiling.
I was seven years old when this film was made and I can't believe how archaic it looks.. I watched all these old black and white movies on my lunch time, from school but I don't remember this one. I was hoping the old lady was secretly rich or was just faking being drugged and would get revenge on the thieves, but that didn't happen. In the end she was just happy to be able to go home and and be rid of her looser husband. Sometimes that's enough 🙂 Amazing performance by Edith Evans. I'll definitely be checking out more films with her.
I hadn't seen this film in years. It really shows what the time was like for some people. People are nostalgic about the 60's and how great they were but this shows a harsh reality that the 'Summer of love' was just for a few. The way that the family robbed her and dumped her in the street shows that things haven't changed that much socially. The welfare state helped a lot of people and gave them pensions and unemployment benefit but the way things are now with people having to go to Food banks(mostly run by churches) because they can't get unemployment benefit or housing makes it appear we are going backwards. At least there were jobs around then and British industry was doing great exporting cars and steel, even coal amongst other things, not to forget the wonderful British Film industry. We have no British industry anymore. Nowadays we can't even have a spare bedroom in our own homes without having to pay tax for it.
Paul Evans Well hopefully, soon, you'll have your country back from EU. Most lives and livelihoods should improve.
SC++ Your all caps shouting and name calling are hardly arguments, and in fact, make you sound like the mental midget you apparently seem to be. Britains failed experiment with Socialism has brought it to its current state of affairs. Grow up and lose the epithets, get an education, and someone might pay attention to your thoughts. But I personally doubt it.
==
@@SnappedGinger It's 2022 now and things have got worse.
@@a.t.c.3862 It has been worse for many worldwide. Here in the US I hold the current leftist administration responsible. But what I see in Europe is probably worse. Too bad the EU hasn’t really taken their grip off the British. I blame that government also. We have new elections in November. Hopefully we can rid ourselves of the leftists who seem hellbent on destroying our country.
@@simonegan3698 Well, the Republicans took back the House. That’s big. The Dems controlled the House, the Senate and the executive branch for two years and did nothing productive with that control. We now have an open southern border with millions of illegal aliens and fentanyl pouring across. We are no longer energy independent since Biden’s executive orders on day one. Record inflation that is crushing average citizens. And the democrats have already starting blaming the republicans for the border crisis🤔 setting up what we’re going to hear for the next two years.
What a great movie! Wonderful characters! There is something intense about black and white movies. They seem higher quality. Thanks for uploading!
I agree. B/W is more artistic and striking, especially films from the 1960's.
i don't know if it's more artistic, but it was a cost measure. Perhaps in those days if the choic was color or B&W, they decided it had to better than best.
As wonderful as color is, it can be a distraction from a story of depth, personal struggle or conflict. Memories are rarely in vivid color which can make a B+W movie more personal, like a memory.
Paper Moon, Raging Bull and The Last Picture Show are great examples of modern era B+W films. To turn down a movie just because it is in B+W is foolish.
David Copperfield I very much agree film noir was so much more than modern films . Really grand film !
David Lynch made the correct decision to film THE ELEPHANT MAN in black and white and it works superbly... More recently the excellent film NEBRASKA was shot in monochrome.... That film with a superb central role by Bruce Dern just looks amazing without the colour.
Thank you so much. They wouldn't dare make a film like this today. Weird that TH-cam would recommend this, now, as I'm feeling like I'm going mental from spending so much time alone. Totally relate to this woman. Thankfully there was at least one person who really did care about her; the scenes involving people with evil intentions were very well done. Very realistic. A new favourite. Oh and I must mention, I love the many cats !
They've made films on this subject recently, unless you mean other implied themes. Sorry to hear you're lonely! We all feel like that at times. In the perhaps unlikely event you live in London, I'd happily meet for a drink or a walk.
I was born in Australia, 1952, so I really can't relate to rations, but my hubby, who was born in Wales in 1944, had a very poor upbringing, he is a very kind and strong man.
@@jimnewcombe7584Do you ever get to Phoenix, USA, Jim?
@@gregingram4996 I'm afraid I don't, generally speaking, although I'd like to visit America sometime soon.
They say people who are afraid to spend long periods alone usually never find out who they are. If we live our lives for the approval we become their slaves. I am 72 and relish my alone time. When I am around others I appreciate them all the more.