The Winslow Boy

Plot synopsis:
It is Christmas 1911 and Arthur Winslow, a retired London banker, is making final preparations for a dinner to seal the engagement between his daughter Catherine, an outspoken supporter of the controversial cause of women's suffrage, and Captain John Watherstone. The family and guests are toasting the upcoming marriage when Arthur discovers that his youngest son Ronnie, a 13-year old cadet at the Royal Naval College at Osbourne, is unexpectedly home. Ronnie has been accused of the theft of a postal order. An internal enquiry, conducted without notice to his family and without benefit of representation, finds him guilty and Mr. Winslow is "requested to withdraw" his son from the college (the formula of the day for expulsion). Ronnie proclaims his innocence and his father believes himenough so that he demands an apology from the College. When the college refuses to reinstate Ronnie, Arthur decides to take the matter to court. With the help of his daughter and Desmond Curry, a solicitor and friend of the family, Mr. Winslow decides to hire the most highly sought after barrister in England at the time, Sir Robert Morton, known also to be a shrewd opposition Member of Parliament.The government is unwilling to allow the case to proceed. The Naval College is a representative of the Admiralty and the Crown, and as such British law presumes they are infallible and above question; their judgment can be legally questioned only with the permission of the Attorney General. However, after heated debates in the House of Commons, the government yields, and the case does come to court.Catherine had expected Sir Robert to decline the case, or at best to treat it as a political tool; instead, he is coolly matter-of-fact about having been persuaded of Ronnie's innocence by his responses to questioning (in fact, a form of cross-examination, to see how young Ronnie would hold up in court) in the presence of his family. Catherine, left-wing suffragette, is not so enthusiastic towards Morton who she considers too heartless for a case like this. Catherine is also disturbed by Sir Robert's establishment views: he is a conservative opponent of womens suffrage. "He always speaks out against what is right," she complains. However, she admires his legal skills. Morton on his part is obviously quite taken with her from the moment he glimpses her peering down at him from the ladies' gallery at the House of Commons.In the meantime, the case creates media hysteria and puts a heavy toll on the Winslow family their funds are rapidly depleted in order to cover legal expenses. Mr. Winslow's physical health deteriorates under the strain and the happiness of the Winslows' home is destroyed. Arthur's wife, Grace, begins to wonder if the real issue is justice or a father's stubborn and foolish pride. Forced to make economical sacrifices, Grace Winslow is unwilling to take the drastic measure of dismissing, Violet, who has been the familys maid for over twenty years. The eldest son, Dickie Winslow, has to leave Oxford due to the lack of money destroying his chance at a career in the Civil Service. Instead, he is compelled to find employment in his fathers bank. Catherine's marriage settlement is also gone. Her fiancé John Watherstone breaks off the engagement in the face of opposition from his father (an Army Colonel), forcing her to consider a sincere and well-intentioned offer of marriage from Desmond, whom she does not love. Sir Robert has also declined appointment as Lord Chief Justice, rather than drop the case. The least affected is Ronnie, who happily has been transferred to a new school.At trial, Sir Robert (working together with Desmond Curry and his firm) is able to discredit much of the supposed evidence. The Admiralty, certainly embarrassed and presumably no longer confident of Ronnie's guilt, abruptly withdraws all charges against him, proclaiming the boy entirely innocent.When their resounding victory arrives, not a single member of the Winslows family is present at court. It is Violet, the maid, who tells Mr. Winslow and Catherine what had happened at court. Shortly after, Sir Robert appears in the Winslowss home to share the good news. The film ends with a suggestion that romance may yet blossom between Sir Robert and Catherine, who acknowledges that she has misjudged him all along.

Tags: boring

Review:
It's so comfortable and relaxing to watch a Mamet film even when it's a story of intrigue and suspense.Without stress of anticipation or worrying how the film might turn out, I entered the theater already satisfied -- I am seeing a Mamet film (a relieve from the Hollywood blockbusters!)  I totally trusted the writer/director, serenely sat there knowing I will have a pleasant film experience, and immensely enjoyable it truly was!Every character is well acted by a perfect cast!
Rebecca Pidgeon (Catherine "Kate" Winslow the daughter who works for her cause in women suffrage) flawlessly matches Jeremy Northam (Sir Robert Morton the renowned lawyer who has his influence on the House of Commons).
Also Sarah Flind as the twenty-four years faithful family servant Violet, Colin Stinton as cousin Desmond and Aden Gillett as fiancé John (the two men who keenly pursue Kate) just about do the job for this faultlessly put together story on film.Mamet's screenplay once again superbly presented.
This is a politically conscious film: subjects include family unit value, honor and honesty, class structure, influence of a well-known lawyer, along with father and son relationship, father and daughter, husband and wife, and romantic notions being tossed about around Kate -- all integrally paced yet seemingly choreographed together so effortlessly.Mind you the case is not the only central interest, the tension (and subtle tender friendship) between Kate Winslow and Sir Robert Morton is fascinating to watch, as they grow to observe each other closely and exchange banters.
4) The last verbal exchange between Pidgeon and Northam, as Kate and Sir Robert bid goodbye -- miss not a single word of this as you will be satisfied (probably more music to a woman's ears when Northam speaks!)Music score by Alaric Jans complements the film effectively, so do the costume design by Consolata Boyle and photography by Benoit Delhomme.
This 1999 version is by the American director David Mamet, with his wife Rebecca Pidgeon in a lead role as the Boy's sister Catherine, along with Nigel Hawthorne and Gemma Jones as the parents.
The acting honours however truly belong to Jeremy Northam as their barrister, Sir Robert Morton, who finds himself strangely attracted to young Ms Winslow.
Northam make this almost unbelievable transformation seem not just likely but inevitable.`The Winslow Boy' is of course based on a real case, the Archer-Shee affair, though Rattigan modified the story substantially.
At times I wished the director had made it more of a movie but it's still a very good film, mainly because the key actors are so good.Mamet's wife, Rebecca Pidgeon, plays Catherine Winslow, the little boy's older sister.
Jeremy Northam plays Sir Robert Morton, the lawyer and member of the House of Commons who takes the Winslow case.
It must have been an important event in early twentieth century British history because they've made several films about it, including one made in 1948 with Robert Donat (Sir Robert Morton), Margaret Leighton (Catherine), and Cedric Hardwicke (the boy's father) that I'll have to see.
A series of absolutely perfect scenes...crisp, engaging dialogue...ordinary yet intriguing characters interwoven into a seamless web...flawless acting, even down to the boy...great costumes...the best ending lines I've heard in years!
After seeing this film and reviewing Catherine's and Sir Robert's dialogue at the end of the film numerous times, one can only hope that their path will cross again.During the era of violence and sex in films, it is refreshing and comforting to see a rated "General" film that can be viewed with one's whole family.After all, this is a period piece full of love, honour, justice and a families desire to right..
First I'd like to thank David Mamet for recognizing the remarkable similarity between Jeremy Northam and the late great Robert Donat and then putting it to impeccable use in The Winslow Boy. Donat has been missing for far too long          from the cable stations and video rental lists.
This is partly Mamet's writing and direction but also the talents of a good cast.Overall this is not typical Mamet fare and many of his fans may struggle with the sheer Englishness of it, but those not put off will find that the characters and dialogue are as strong as ever and the story is gripping even if the off-screen action sometimes appears to be more interesting that what we are allowed to see..
Traditional English logic and technical craftsmanship are most abundant in this sixth remake of "The Winslow Boy." All the stylistic artifices and underplayed emotions of the Brits are played out here, as a fine production company executes its work.The deft combination of Writer-Director-Actor-Producer David Mamet and Playright Supreme Sir Terrance Rattigan result in a compelling dramatic experience.Jeremy Northham's work as Sir Robert impressed me as owing no small measure to the thespian legacy of Christopher Plummer, Lawrence Harvey and Sir Dirk Bogard -- all of whom being under the umbrella of Lord Lawrence Olivier.Too, Nigel Hawthorne's Arthur tips its theatrical hat to Sir Ralph Richardson and John Guilgud.
And very subtle play by Northam and Rebecca Pidgeon, who are very meritorious throughout the film, adding to the greatness of an as brilliant as ever Sir Nigel Hawthorne.
Having watched this film three times, I must say that it is quite emphatically one of the best movies of the 1990's.Mamet knows how to rework a script and how to direct.
Instead of masterfully laying down the jargon of con-men ("House of Cards", "Glengarry Glen Ross"), he puts his imprimatur on turn-of-the-century "King's English" with enough Mamet style (phrases repeated, clever nuance) to make it his own.Rebecca Pidgeon is gorgeous and graceful; Jeremy Northam is brilliant as Sir Robert Morton, fluid and eloquent (though watch for the brilliant verbal stumble when Kate confronts him about turning down an appointment to the bench near the end of the movie).One needn't be a complete Anglophile to enjoy this film...but it doesn't hurt to have a love for Jolly Old England.
And like many, I found the jousting between Northam and Pidgeon the most interesting part of the film.Another review suggests Mike Figgis made a more fluid Rattigan adaptation with THE BROWNING VERSION, and Mamet is not a good filmmaker.
Her feminist agenda was a little too strong to swallow, like Kate Winslet's super-irritating role in "The Titanic." It's not a bad film, just not interesting enough and one of those movies that after an hour, you realize you don't care about any of the major characters.One thing I did appreciate: the dry humor.
I generally like the dialogue in David Mamet's films very much, and "The Winslow Boy" is no disappointment in that respect.
While the performances are all good, I found the boy's character to be less compelling than the rest of the cast; this problem is compounded by the fact that is is hardly on the screen at all during the second half of the film, which gives us even less opportunity to connect with him.But the biggest (dramatically speaking) problem I had with the film is that the major plot point--the courtroom scenes and the ultimate legal decision--is played totally off screen!
David Mamet's version of "The Winslow Boy" quite fails to understand Terence Rattigan's play, from which the film is derived.
The dramatic excitement of the original, based on powerful emotional reversals, is mostly lost in the remake.Within the limits of the Mamet stereotype, Nigel Hawthorne as the father and Jeremy Northam as the lawyer are interesting and pleasant to watch.
this is another directing attempt by David Mamet, and as usual he uses it as a vehicle to employ the mainly unemployable actors in his family.in most of his directorial projects he has produced films so stiff and wooden, and it amazes me that he sometimes finds excellent actors to appear in them.
it is what the English film industry does best.his direction has sedated actors, worthy of giving a lively performance, and inspired little more than a walk-through of the lines: sedately matching the abilities of his wife.it all ends up in a mediocre effort.
and Mamet at the helm, this story about doing the right thing; about the clockworks of an English family; about misdeed and trial; about stilted courtship; etc., and high marks from critics and viewers alike, "The Winslow Boy" can be easily recommended for everyone mature enough to understand the subject matter.
His dialogue is so intelligent, witty and meaty, his characterisation so dynamic, complex and real and the storytelling so beautifully constructed.'The Winslow Boy' is along with 'The Browning Version' and 'Separate Tables' one of Rattigan's best, containing all of the above and also showing his gift of giving his principal characters an emotional and psychological complexity in a real life situation (if not quite as much as 'The Browning Version').
1999 was a wonderful year for Jeremy Northam and his portrayal of Sir Robert Morton in this remake of the Winslow Boy was the pinnacle.
I won't spoil the end but stick around for Jeremy Northam's final words but more importantly the look in his eyes and the smile on his face.This film has no big action scenes, all the enjoyment is in the writing and the subtle acting of the cast especially Jeremy Northam..
And though his films may seem rather different--he's written the elegant "The Spanish Prisoner" as well as the action/adventure "The Edge"--all of them are about characters who play everything close to the vest; their dialogue always hides their true motivations and intentions.So it is really no surprise that Mamet chose to adapt Terence Rattigan's play "The Winslow Boy."  It too is about characters who shroud their feelings and beliefs.
And Mamet's writing presence is felt throughout, as he no doubt altered some of the dialogue to suit his patented rapid-fire exchanges.In a time when most of the movies out are special effects monstrosities that feel empty and lack any sense of humanity  (though I admit that I really liked "The Mummy"), it is refreshing to find a film that is so vibrantly alive.
Particular attention must be given to Jeremy Northam's Sir Robert Morton who works tirelessly to persue the case of the wronged Ronnie Winslow (nicely played by Guy Edwards).
Here, she portrays the Winslow boy's liberal-activist sister, Catherine, a young woman too serious by half and -- perhaps -- too loyal to her family in the same measure.This is a fine film.
His Sir Robert Morton character is cool, calm and controlled, yet vulnerable in his attraction to the feisty Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon, Mamet's real life wife).
I have just finished watching The Winslow Boy based upon the true story of an English family that is fighting to prove the innocence of their younger son accused of theft.
Jeremy Northam does a great job of playing Sir Robert Morton, the famous attorney who defends him, and I give the most credit to Rebecca Pidgeon who is so natural and incredibly beautiful in those English dress styles that she wears, that you can see right off why Jeremy Northams character takes the case.
(The many conversations between Suffragette Catherine Winslow and Lawyer Sir Robert Morton are not to be missed!)   Also, the delicate touches here and there add a great deal to the story, and the ending will bring a smile to your face.
When director David Mamet created the new 1999 screen adaptation of the Winslow Boy I wondered if he took the advice I gave him in a letter after he directed The Spanish Prisoner.
When Ronnie tells his father Arthur Winslow (Nigel Hawthorne) that he was innocent of any wrongdoing, Arthur begins a fight to restore his son's name.The film is not a courtroom drama; it is more of an examination of characters that choose to make great personal sacrifices for a beloved.
In pharaoh's dream the seven lean cows eat the seven fat cows, foreshadowing the coming meager years in their own household.The story mainly focuses on three characters, Arthur Winslow, his daughter Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon, who also had a leading role in the Spanish Prisoner and is the directors wife), and the family attorney Sir Robert Morton (played by the handsome Jeremy Northam).
He insists on his innocence and the family turns to his defense, at great emotional and financial cost.Based on a true story, The Winslow Boy is a fairly conventional drama about the tedious, disheartening search for justice experienced by far too many people.
Nigel Hawthorne is as reliable as ever in the role of the accused boy's father but in my book the best performances are by Gemma Jones as the mother and Jeremy Northam as the barrister.
Dave Mamet, he of  massively male play-cum-movies like Glenngarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo, is toying in the melon patch of Merchant-Ivory and playwright Terence Rattigan in this wonderful film.
The action has shifted to the two characters I believe are really the focus of the film: Superbarrister Sir Robert Morton and Arthur's headstrong daughter Catherine Winslow.
Feelings were carefully hidden behind words and true emotions were expressed in code.The highlight of the film has got to be the bantering between the key players: the head of the household (Nigel Hawthorne), the barrister engaged to defend the boy (Jeremy Northam) and the sister of the boy (Rebecca Pidgeon).
For once he allows looks and glances to speak volumes instead of the usual foul language that overfilled his previous films to the point of satire.Nigel Hawthorne is wonderful as always as the father of The Winslow Boy, who makes it his life's concern to clear his son's name of stealing and forgery after the lad is expelled from school.
Mamet's adaptation of "The Winslow Boy" is a marvelous mixture of classic Mamet "speak" (the use of repeated words and phases and, in some instances, repeated use of a character's name) and situations (Sir Robert Morton's fellow MP's urging him to accept defeat on his motion for a Petition of Right) with complete respect and preserving the integrity of Terence Rattigan's story of establishment Edwardian England at war with itself, lit with the pre-dawn of the First World War and the Modern Era.The setting of a middle class family confronted with the immensely difficult decision to not accept the "process", but buck the system and its inertia and do what they think right, not regardless of the cost, but, much more difficult, after careful consideration of the cost couldn't be more contemporary.
Unusually it does not feature con artists, a favourite area that Mamet likes to re-visit.The film where a family wants to clear the name of their almost 14 year old boy who has been dismissed from the naval academy for stealing a postal order is all about performances, there is very little visual trickery but good use is made of sets, lighting, music and direction.The actors are very much at the fore of the performance with Jeremy Northam as the Barrister delivering the goods as someone who believes in the boy's innocence but seems distant and uninvolved.In some cases he got the role of the barrister in the pre World War 2 era very much spot on.
She also suffers loss as her engagement is broken because of the fight to clear her brother's name.It is a brave undertaking to adapt a Terence Rattigan play for the big screen and Mamet has done very well in making the film watchable and highlighting the mores of the time..
A proud father goes to great lengths to defend his son's honor in this latest movie version of Terence Rattigan's play The Winslow Boy (itself based on the true story of George Archer-See), written and directed by David Mamet one of the most respected screenwriters working today.
What's unusual with The Winslow Boy is that it's a court movie which hardly spends any time actually in court, concentrating instead on how the case affects the lives of the Winslow family, and in particular the father Arthur (Nigel Hawthorne) and the daughter Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon).
The real story is around the edges, and asks the question: As the work and expense of the task takes it's toll, what price is expected of the others just to clear the boy's name?David Mamet has created a wonderful 'little' movie that definitely entertains, and loses nothing on the small screen.
Set in the early part of the 20th century the "Campy" nature of English manners and graces of that period is delightfully portrayed.....the actor playing "Sir Robert" is brilliant, and has the best lines.....but why oh why does not IMBd not have a memorable quote section for this film.....the movie is a veritable feast....."Let Right Be Done"......"We won have'nt We?"....and so on.....
Wonderful performances from all the cast, especially Jeremy Northam as lawyer Sir Robert Morton, who plays the part with intelligence, suave and hidden tenderness.
His father, Arthur Winsow, believes the boy's assertion of innocence and takes the Crown to court, threatening to bankrupt the family in the process.Father, played with wonderful sensitivity by Nigel Hawthorn, hires the nations best lawyer Sir Thomas Morton (Jeremy Northam) to defend the case.Arthur's daughter Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon), a suffragette, is considering marriage and has two suitors, the family's long time solicitor Desmond (Colin Stinton) and John Watherstone (Aden Gillett), a colourless career Military man.A conventional film would have treated The Winslow Boy as a courtroom drama, centered about the trial, with the customary climatic summation and sentence but here the peripheral dramas are the business of the film.
There's a lot to be said for the glance, the tilt of the head and a quiet word of advice when it comes to high emotion.It is rare these days in films for relationships to be built on intellect and principal rather than lust and action, for people to really care about each other's political beliefs for example, at least unless the movie in question is an English costume drama.A clever script, good acting and intelligent direction can sometimes however work the magic..
"The Winslow Boy" is  well acted with a wonderful ensemble starting with Nigel Hawthorne's Arthur to Rebecca Pidgeon as Kate to Jeremy Northam as Morton.