With a grand total of eight reviews from press and public on imdb, it’s safe to say that John Osborne’s Inadmissible Evidence isn’t the talk of the town; film historians, however, could do worse than check out this 1968 film version of the play. Sure, it’s been forgotten, but Osborne is one of the great dramatists of the 20th century, the film has a monumental central performance by Nicol Williamson, and the desire to puncture and punish the bigoted, misogynist white male chimes neatly with today’s sensibilities about toxic men.
Bill Maitland (Williamson) is a lawyer, and a lousy one too. Clients stalk out of his office mid meetings, he can’t even be bothered taking notes. In court, his papers are a muddled mess and his colleagues despise him. His wife wants a divorce, his mistresses are frustrated, he abuses his position to make moves on any woman he encounters professionally, mainly secretaries, and Maitland’s waspish wit doesn’t get him anywhere; he’s someone you’d cross the road to avoid.
Osborne dedicates the full length of his adaptation of his own play to capturing Maitland’s awfulness; he’s not an empathetic character, but he is dramatic to watch, particularly seen from 2021, where his attitudes can be clearly seen as genuinely horrific. One sequence shows him wasting time in Soho as he prepares to returns to his workplace and seduce a secretary he’s asked to work late; Maitland tries to get himself riles up drinking pints and watching strippers, and the mood of the moment is lonely and desperate. The observation of the banal exchanges of a dinner party is similarly caustic and accurate, as are the painful professional interviews with potential divorcees; Osborne sees all, and jots it down without considering whether we’ll like it or not; it’s just the way things are, or as the playwright observes them
Inadmissible Evidence was a stage-play of some repute, and for once, the film improves on that, with some arty cutting and ingenious use of monologue juxtaposed over terse black and white visuals. Williamson is on top form here under Anthony Page’s direction, and the whole package is recommended to anyone interested in theatre, law, or the unspoken, unending process of atrophy in British establishment morals.
Have to say – never heard of it. But you made a case for me to watch it. 🙂
It’s findable with a google search, not ideal, but seemingly the only way to see this right now!
Sounds interesting, and you know my love for dislikable characters (the only ones I can relate to). An angry, but deep down sad man? Sign me up!
As soon as I realised how dislikable this character was, I thought of you.
Well it’s nice to know I’m that important in your life.
I rank all my commenters on a wall-chart of importance. You are very near the top.
Who’s top?
Fraggle, Cue Ball, Booky, you know the names, hard to crack that kind of dominance.
Aren’t they your only commenters?
9000+ so far this year, Bunty.
9000 comments. From 4 people.
When one’s calling is to blab on other peoples’ blogs, those kind of numbers occur.
Better get cracking Otsy, you’ve got some serious catching up to do 😉
It’s an acquired calling, but a very necessary one.
He’s had 9000, I’ve had 566. So only… ahem. I don’t have a calculator handy.
I’m not real familiar with Dragon Ball, but here’s the one meme I am familiar with. Not sure if the image will come through or just a link:
https://me.me/i/0-0-its-over-9000-over9000-dbff782325f045298b4d376182000e6a
Perfect. Love it! Nice one Booky!
Thanks. It’s always nice when my old anime/manga habit comes in handy 😀
Let’s not get bogged down in the details here…
Don’t worry. I’m nowhere near 9K either….
Sigh. Not sure if Alex counts as an actual person.
So you’re admitting 9000 from just 3! That’s even worse.
Big fan of Williamson so this will be worth a look. Stick in there with the old b/w and ignore your critics. Am sure in some eyes Citizen Kane and the like in some eyes constitute B/W chuff.
It’s frustrating that reviews with a b/w pic generally get less hits, but to be honest, any hits for this film would be a lot given the disrepair it’s in. I found it online on a googlesearch, but it really deserves a restoration. I’m really digging Williamson’s work in the late 60’s and early 70’s, quite a revelation.
Nope. What’s with all the old B&W chuff you and Alex are chucking up? Also who needs to see some horrid old man being horrid for 1 & 1/2 hours? Not me, no siree. And Williams isn’t even pretty. Pfft.
Williamson I mean.
Matter of opinion.
Of course. But I’m very glad you enjoyed it. And him.
I’m remaking this with Channing Tatum or Tom Hardy if you’re interested.
This week you’ve had Spiral and Reya, both out this week and in UK cinemas. Won’t be tarred with the same brush as Alex….
No brushing here, it’s a co-incidental thingy for one day only. Always interested in Tom Hardy, Tatum is growing on me. Not literally obviously but I’ve seen him doing a good job recently in something, can’t remember what.
He’s working in your local Londis. Channing Tatum. Tuesday’s and Thursdays?
I wish.
See for yourself. He’s the only one who knows how to do the scratchcards.
Pfft.
So if I review this, I’ll be an Authority on it? That kind of fame could go to someone’s head rather quickly….
Seems anyone can be a film authority these days.
Not as easy as it looks. Paragraph muxch?
😀
You would be a world expert! Not worried about anything going to your head, you’re so humble!
Usually I am. But sometimes, at 5:30am I’m a bit weaker and that tiny bit of arrogance shows up.
But then I eat my raisins and I’m all humble again.
Sounds interesting, but I feel like I’m more than ten seconds away from enjoying it. I call false advertising on this blog.
Nope. Just not pointing to unofficial sources.
So you’re buying bootleg DVDs out of the back of a van somewhere? Still seems like more than ten seconds.
Try googling it Bunty, do I have to come over there and make your porridge for you too? Sigh.
Scones. You promised freshly baked scones. And shortbread.
Sorry, this is not a bakery, you’ll have to take your order elsewhere.
Well if it’s not a bakery I’m sure I don’t know what it is.
Quality film blog. You wouldn’t understand.
I’m only here for the comestibles.
I should never have offered free food, bringing in the wrong type of customer.
Not to mention that now we have stuff to throw at the screen if we don’t like what’s on.
Wait till you see what I throw at your poetry blog.
I’ll throw you at the screen if I dodn’t like what’s going on.
Security will never let you past the velvet rope. Meanwhile, we’re rapping open mic inside about Scottish film critic wannabes (with a pass for Robbie Collin).
That’s quite a slam in Collins, are you saying he’s a wannabe me? Not everyone has your issues…
I guess we all read what we want to read . . .
I mean Robbie can come in the club. Cool rhymes, good times . . .
Send me a pic of him at your poetry club. otherwise, you’re a fantasist.
Tick Tock…
As if. No cameras allowed in the club. What happens in the Beatbox, stays in the Beatbox.
Cause there’s just you in there, Bunty! No one interesting is seeing your napper.