The powerful drama that brought a new freedom to the British cinema, even though it seemed at the time, especially with Simone Signoret in the lead, as little more than a good British imitation of a contemporary French film. It also introduced British audiences to anti-hero Joe Lampton, who proved popular enough to feature in two more films and the television series Man at the Top. Signoret won an Academy Award for her excellent performance in this film, as did Neil Paterson for his biting screenplay, adapted from John Braine's original novel. Heather Sears is also very good, as the girl used and abused by our less than noble hero. In fact, it's the women who walk off with the honours here, with good supporting portrayals from Hermione Baddeley and Mary Peach.


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