Dirk Bogarde - The Screen Icons Collection Details

Nightmare in Knightsbridge

The Servant is odd, but a timeless masterpiece, whether viewers like it or not. But this Pinter adaptation is not meant to be liked. It is unsettling but riddled with clues that you are too engrossed to notice as you watch. And it has a voyeuristic quality that makes it seem very modern.

Tony is too trusting, but he is rich and thinks himself infallible and 'Barrett' is a consummate con artist The tension comes from knowing what this 'gentlemen's gentleman's game is, when 'sir' doesn't. It is a pleasure to watch two well cast actors get so involved in their roles. The verbal and physical sparring matches between Dirk Bogard and James Fox are well worth a viewing if you are one who loves to watch actors really relishing their work.

The house 'Sir' and The Servant live in, though claustrophobic from the start, slowly descends into little more than a cesspool even though it doesn't change much physically, but the mirror on the wall tells no lies. Sara Miles at her most nubile as the 'sister' cum 'bait' effortlessly unleashes sir's formerly hidden, but totally unruly appetites, rendering him totally disinterested in his high brow 'lady' love.

We know the roles between master and servant will inevitably reverse, but the most fascinating part is in seeing how it all comes together, or falls apart.

[Highly rated reviewer]

The Accident - A bit dull

The Accident is the one I've seen. It's based on a Harold Pinter play, and feels very staged. It's all about divorce and infidelity and young love and all that stuff, but is overall a bit dull.