An Inspector Calls (2018) User Reviews

A reasonable attempt, but failed to measure up to previous productions

[Marlburian · 5/10 · 2 January 2020]

I've watched at least two previous versions of AIC and ten minutes into this one (which I watched on YouTube) started to wonder and nearly switched off. Like others, I was not impressed by the acting of the three older actors, though the younger ones did well enough.

At one point I wondered if this was a video of a local dramatic society's production but, as far as I can make out, those involved were a bit more than that, and I gather that they all worked very hard.

Under these circumstances, then, a reasonable effort and there's no reason why it shouldn't be on YouTube (where many DIY efforts are far less worthy).

But who could compare with such "inspectors" as Alastair Sim and David Thewlis?

A decent rendition for YouTube standards

[faren-66770 · 6/10 · 20 March 2023]

You can definitely tell that the actors tried there best in this version but some of the performers, such as John Farries for Arthur Birling, are just not convincing and his acting is quite frankly cringe-worthy. The only decent thing about his performance is his more mild manners compared to his social superior and wife, Sybil. The best actor on set is probably Jason Farries as Gerald Croft. Sheila's and Eric's performance were decent as well. As it turns out, most of the younger actors are the ones who did the better job. The dialogue as well seems to deviate from the original script to an extent. Inspector Goole's temperment is off and is not assertive enough. Overall, it's okay and great that it's free to watch on YouTube but it's definitely not the beat.

Professionally filmed but Am-Dram cast

[sdtaylor_178 · 2/10 · 23 June 2019]

This is well-produced and the crew know what they're doing, but the cast is out of its depth. Looks like a vanity project and isn't worth your time.

Well Worth Watching

[rebecca-25301 · 9/10 · 4 June 2018]

A fascinating video version of this classic British drawing room play by J. B. Priestly. Very well acted. Not the simple formulaic story you might suspect from the early scenes.

Awful re-telling of a brilliant play

[Nicolaclaire134 · 1/10 · 20 March 2019]

As an English teacher, I'm always looking for ways to bring texts to life for my students. Watching this version of An Inspector Calls was painful - the acting, particularly that of Arthur Birling, is horrendous. It was laughable.

I would not recommend this version - at all. It's not worth it.

A look inside our souls.

[glukenewson · 9/10 · 10 July 2018]

I wish all who voted for Trump would watch this movie. Who are we and how much do we hide from others? The successful, the rich, the ones with opportunities too often forget what misery we may have caused. Once we know, would we change our behavior if given another chance? Or, would we simply move on if others did not see our sins? We all have responsibilities for those whose lives we touch - nevermind the broader mankind. Or, what have we become?

go watch a Disney movie

[catfishcreator · 1/10 · 21 October 2021]

1hr and 30 minutes of my life I will never get back. Worst acting ever Mr Birling was off his rocker it was a shambles. Mate I cried halfway through the acting was like listening to a cat screech. Like....

Enjoyed this.

[stephenpiers · 10/10 · 17 January 2020]

Saw this on YouTube. Obviously low budget and not the greatest acting, but thoroughly enjoyed it ans would recommend it to a friend.

The worst production of 'An Inspector Calls' I have ever seen.

[andymac-70393 · 3/10 · 12 September 2019]

Absolutely appalling, totally unconvincing performances by every single cast member. Loosely based on the great JB Priestley play, this film is a very pale imitation.

I lasted 10 minutes....

[FairReviewer-75636 · 3/10 · 30 August 2023]

Such a shame, for such a great story! The setting and the younger actors (as previous reviews have mentioned) were doing an alright job, but knowing the story and the fact there was never going to be a time when Mr Birling was not in it, I could stand no more than 10 minutes unfortunately.

The actor who plays Mr Birling is clearly the directors father who appears to have no acting experience, or the gift of being able to retain a script to memory. The woodeness and side glances at script cannot be ignored and distracted from everything else! I admire those who could give full reviews of the entire drama.

Such a missed opportunity...

[mathewphillips · 2/10 · 29 June 2023]

The setting, props, lighting, camera work, costumes and makeup are massively let down by poor performances and wild liberties with the lines, to the point that much of Priestley's well crafted ironies are lost. It seems like some actors are learning their lines just before the camera starts rolling while John Farries seems particularly poorly cast and out of his depth with the character of Mr Birling. Leona Clarke's flirtatious Sheila would be fit for a character in 2014 but not 1914 and detracts from the play's didacticism. Martin Nadim's Inspector lacks eye contact, gravitas and authority, appearing more as Columbo than voice or moral reason. Penelope Wildgoos' portrayal of Mrs Birling leans into the cold upper-class matriarch to a good degree and creates a distant unapproachable character but sadly this contrasts poorly with J Farries portrayal to the point that Mr and Mrs Birling appear as little more than acquaintances. Some credit should be given to Jason Farries who portrays well the upper-class entitled Gerald Croft.

Having taught the text for a number of years I found the amateur nature of casting to be a real detriment to what could have been a wonderfully accurate portrayal of An Inspector Calls, much needed in the classroom. While the 2015 BBC production makes use of its budget and cast it becomes difficult as a teaching tool due to the constant flashbacks which remove the claustrophobia of the original production.

Here was an opportunity to become a classroom staple praised by teachers for accuracy sadly lost to poor casting and performances which struggled under the weight of sophisticated characters.