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Bookmark this pageLast Holiday (1950)
Director: Henry Cass
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A bitter-sweet little film written by JB Priestley. Informed that he has no more than a few weeks to live, a hard-working nonentity (Guinness) collects his savings, checks into a posh hotel, and resolves to go out like a gentleman. Here his life changes beyond all recognition: he finds love and happiness, and has an equally beneficent effect on those around him. It's a charming notion, Utopia on the never-never; and while the final twist is a bit tricky, the picture is surprisingly moving, delicately handled and full of lovely vignettes. Unlikely as it may seem, this was the inspiration for Aki Kaurismäki's I Hired a Contract Killer.Author: TCh
User reviews of this film
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- godfrey hamilton said...
- Posted on Oct 27 2010 04:02 Released in the US under Criterion's excellent value 'Art House' bargain run of dvds, and, I'm delighted to say, broadcast on Turner Classic Movies here (in the US) last week. At last I was able to catch up with this well-anticipated gem; it's delightful, touching, superbly acted (especially by the underrated Kay Walsh) and deliciously entertaining from start to finish. Great stuff.
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- Spud said...
- Posted on Aug 09 2007 09:42 Brilliant! possibly my favourite Alec Guinness Film, if you haven't seen it, beg, borrow or steal a copy!!!
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Cast & crew
Director: Henry Cass
Producer: Stephen Mitchell, AD Peters, JB Priestley
Cast: Alec Guinness, Kay Walsh, Beatrice Campbell, Bernard Lee, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Muriel George, Helen Cherry, Grégoire Aslan, Ernest Thesiger, Sidney James full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 88 mins
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