Year: 1948
Director: Carol Reed
Country: UK
Language: English
Despite working with very similar cinematographers, such as Robert Krasker or Oswald Morris, Carol Reed's filmography has been quite diverse throughout his career. In one decade he makes an innovative film noir in The Third Man (1949), the next he makes a wartime romance The Key (1958) and the decade following that he wins Best Picture with Oliver! (1968). I find myself quite amused when I watch his pictures, as I am entertained by something quite different everytime.
In this, a butler (Ralph Richardson) working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion when his wife (Sonia Dresdel) accidentally falls to her death, the only witness being an impressionable young boy (Bobby Henry).
The Fallen Idol reminds me of a Simpsons' episode where Mayor Quimby's cousin is accused of murdering a chef over the pronounciation of "chowder" (Chow-dere? It's chow-da!) and the only witness is Bart Simpson. Reed's picture is a perfect example of entertainment that is accessible to both children and adults. Though the majority of the scenes' are viewed through the young boy's, Phillipe, eyes and framed through his energy there are many adult scenes that would capture the minds of an older audience.
The film's ultimate moral, that a lie leads to more lies which leads to trouble, is perfectly suitable for audiences of all ages. Graham Greene's screenplay gives a fairly obvious statement ("don't lie") that doesn't come off as preachy or lecturous. Like Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, The Fallen Idol feels, and looks, like a gothic fairlytale that has the possibility to not have a "happily ever after".
Though it isn't as great as The Third Man (1949), I was impressed and entertained by The Fallen Idol. Considering it's a 1940's picture, its quite unusual to see an adulterer be the main protagonist of this story. Would make a rather interesting double feature with Brief Encounter (1945).
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