The Great Waltz

For perhaps half-an-hour, with every door opening to reveal couples whirling gaily in the Viennese waltz and Nigel Patrick cheerfully sending up the character of Johann Senior, this Strauss biopic is lively if exhausting. Then Senior dies, Junior gets amorous, and love's platitudes are given the freedom of the screen. There is even a moment when Strauss, struck by instant inspiration while dallying in the Vienna Woods, scribbles an immortal melody on his cuff. It makes the Duvivier film look like a masterpiece by comparison.