I have not read the original Conrad novel, but I cannot imagine he would have been wholly satisfied with Carol Reed's translation of this to the screen.
However, this is worth seeing once for curiosity value. I ventured upon it whilst searching for Trevor Howard films, but this film belongs to Ralph Richardson, especially during the climax in the last ten minutes or so. Robert Morley is sterling, but Wendy Hiller is unfathomable most of the time.
Bosley Crowther of the New York Times praised the acting, but at the end concluded: "The course of the downfall is clear and the general significance of it is neither arresting nor profound. If any Conradian sagacity is supposed to be lodged within the film, it entirely escaped this reviewer. It is a great show of sheer dry-rot, that's all." Slightly harsh,
However, this is worth seeing once for curiosity value. I ventured upon it whilst searching for Trevor Howard films, but this film belongs to Ralph Richardson, especially during the climax in the last ten minutes or so. Robert Morley is sterling, but Wendy Hiller is unfathomable most of the time.
Bosley Crowther of the New York Times praised the acting, but at the end concluded: "The course of the downfall is clear and the general significance of it is neither arresting nor profound. If any Conradian sagacity is supposed to be lodged within the film, it entirely escaped this reviewer. It is a great show of sheer dry-rot, that's all." Slightly harsh,