219. Kind Hearts And Coronets; movie review

KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS
Cert PG
104 mins

BBFC advice: Contains brief racist language

It is always lovely to be reminded of the charm of this Ealing comedy, although I can't laugh anymore because I have seen it so many times.
Anyway, I shall re-post my review from 2011 as my opinions have not changed..

It was Lord Alfred Tennyson in his poem Lady Clara Vere De Vere who said: "Kind hearts are more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood.''
And from that very line was not only Lewis Caroll's poem derived but also Robert Hamer's superb Ealing comedy.
I've seen Kind Hearts and Coronets half a dozen times and while it was a pleasure to refresh my memory of Dennis Price's upper crust dastardliness and Alec Guinness's incredible versatility.

On all previous occasions, I'd wondered from where the title Kind Hearts and Coronets came. Now I've shared it will you.
Hamer not only directed this dazzlingly great movie but he joined John Dighton in writing the screenplay.
Much of the credit for the ingenious script, however, should go to Roy Horniman as it is based on his now Israel Rank: The Autobiography Of A Criminal.
As most of you will already know, the storyline surrounds the life of Louis Mazzini (Price) whose mother is snubbed by her aristocratic family when she marries a commoner.
After she dies Mazzini pledges revenge on the D'Ascoynes, plotting to kill 10 of them, so he can succeed to the title of duke.
The movie actually starts in the condemned man's cell and from there Mazzini looks back over his life and his murderous plotting and his extravagant love life.
As said, Price is perfect as the scheming killer but the movie is as much about glorious Guinness.
He was 36 at the time it was made but plays a range of characters ranging from a naive 24-year-old to a doddery old vicar and even a suffragette.
Hamer's movie is lauded by today's critics and its re-release by Optimum has been greeted with 5-star reviews.
Call me churlish but I think it lets itself down very badly with its painted backdrops. They really cheapen a top drawer film.
Of course, it is entirely possible that I'm marking it down because I've seen it so many times and it would great to know what Kind Hearts And Coronets virgins make of it.
If you do watch it, look out for Arthur Lowe in the very last scene.

Reasons to watch: An Ealing classic
Reasons to avoid: Doesn't really pass the test of time

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Alec Guinness refused to perform the stunt in a balloon, so the scene in the finished film is not him but a Belgian stuntman balloonist wearing Agatha's D'Ascoyne's dress and wig. Guinness had the last laugh, however, when a high wind pulled the balloon off course. The Belgian balloonist was found 50 miles away, having had to pitch into a river. 

The final word. Alec Guinness "I read [the screenplay] on a beach in France, collapsed with laughter on the first page, and didn't even bother to get to the end of the script. I went straight back to the hotel and sent a telegram saying, 'Why four parts? Why not eight!?' "

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