The Fallen Idol (1948)

Director: Carol Reed
Starring: Bobby Henry, Ralph Richardson, Michèle Morgan, Denis O'Dea, Sonia Dresdel
Certificate: PG
Genre: Film Noir
Awards: None

Carol Reed's winning streak, starting with Odd Man Out, continues with The Fallen Idol. Adapted from the story by Grahame Greene, the film shows a murder case from the perspective of a child. Believing that his closest friend, butler Baines (Richardson) has killed his wife, Phillipe (Henry) tries to protect him from the police by lying. He only makes things worse, however, as Baines is in fact innocent but broods suspicion due to the secrecy of all the witnesses.

Like Reed's other films, the cinematography is astounding. The noir-ish glare of the exterior scenes are the highlight with the cobbled streets and tall buildings creating a terrifying version of London yet there is a lot of memorable imagery taking place within the house most of the story is set.

Richardson does great justice to the character of Baines, a rabbit caught in the headlights who seems almost defeatist in his calm manner whilst Morgan and Dresdel both play their characters with obvious talent. O'Dea seems to be channelling James Mason in his performance as the detective. It is Henry who steals the show, however, as Henry. He can be both sympathetic and irritating for all the right reasons considering the story. As it is Philipe's story, Henry's performance was vital for the film to work and it does.

Whilst not as ambitious a film as Odd Man Out or The Third Man, this picture tells a smaller story that is just as engaging.

****Good