Der Diener (1963)
51KDer Diener: Directed by Joseph Losey. With Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, Wendy Craig, James Fox. Upper-class Tony hires servant Hugo Barrett, who turns out to have a hidden agenda.
“While this little known British classic has been badly neglected for the last thirty years or so, it shouldnu0026#39;t be; it is one of the most expertly realized portraits of British class warfare ever. Aside from Bogardeu0026#39;s (obviously) letter perfect portrayal of a sinister lower class valet with some ugly designs on his upper crust victim (well played also, by James Fox, who came to specialize in similar roles), one scene in particular stands out, and underlines beautifully the whole filmu0026#39;s entire message. When Foxu0026#39;s aristocratic girlfriend (played by Wendy Craig) comes to visit, she has an amazing encounter with Bogarde. She suspects heu0026#39;s moving in on her boyfriend, ready to replace her in his affections. She imperiously orders him into the front room, abruptly quizzing him for his opinions on just about everything. She isnu0026#39;t concerned with his answers-she just enjoys ordering him around, Queen Victoria style. The effect is stunning-Bogarde clearly wants to strangle the bitch, but must restrain himself, heu0026#39;s only the servant after all. But heu0026#39;s still a man, and will get his revenge soon enough. The whole upper class system will be turned on its head. The resolution (if it can be called that) is not totally satisfying. In fact, it seems just as confused just and messy as life itself is.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSome reviewers have stated that Ms. Craig was miscast as the classy girlfriend. Not so-as she imperiously and hatefully orders the helpless servant around, her face and voice become a hateful mask of the arrogance and cruelty of British snobbery. A minor classic of its kind, somewhat dated, but still relevant and brilliantly filmed in moody black and white, and Bogardeu0026#39;s best moments on film.”
