The Mudlark (1950) User Reviews

An orphaned child in the court of the Queen

[barryrd · 8/10 · 29 January 2009]

A fine film that is mainly forgotten but still worth seeing, it deals with a homeless boy in Victorian London (1876) who rubs shoulders with two of the leading figures of the time – Queen Victoria and Benjamin Disraeli.

A heart-warming story of historical fiction, it displays the formidable acting talent of Irene Dunne and Alex Guinness. Disreali's audience with the Queen at the start draws us into the main themes of the movie. Andrew Ray, as the boy, is exceptional. The great character actor Finlay Currie plays the role of the Queen's friend John Brown, a crusty, boozy Scot and a close companion of the Queen, who takes a personal interest in the boy. (The character of John Brown was also the subject of the movie from the 1990's - Mrs. Brown, played by Dame Judi Dench.)

The role of the mudlark–a child who scavenges on the banks of the Thames is played by Andrew Ray. It was while doing this,that he found a cameo of the Queen. Illiterate and poverty-stricken, he knows nothing about the Queen but when he finds out who she is, he wants to meet her. The discovery of the child during a banquet at Windsor Castle becomes a national story, in which the Prime Minister (Alex Guinness as Disraeli) uses the issue to underscore the need for social reform and to thus win support for his government's program. The speech in the House of Commons is a high point in the movie, as is the widowed Queen's encounter with the boy near the end of the film.

Colourful conversations between Alex Guinness (Disraeli) and Findlay Currie (John Brown) add sparkle to the film as does a well-lubricated Brown as he takes the boy on a tour of the castle.

At the end, Disraeli and Brown, totally different in character, are drawn together by their love of the monarch. The widowed monarch, at first alarmed by the boy's stealing into her private residence, is moved by a second encounter when she learns that he merely wanted to see her. This also suited the Prime Minister's purpose of giving the monarch confidence to come out of seclusion.

You'd think the casting decision was nuts....but it works well and the film is quite charming.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 30 January 2011]

When I saw that Irene Dunne was cast as Queen Victoria, I was ready to hate the film. After all, she seems about as much like this historical figure as Shirley Temple! There was absolutely no way they could make this work. Well, was I wrong...she was terrific and they managed to make her look like the middle-aged monarch. I was amazed.

The film begins on the filthy bank of the Thames River in London. Poor, wretched boys work the bank as 'mudlarks'--kids who will scour the shore for anything of value. This is much like the pathetic kids in places like India and Brazil who live among the garbage and scavenge for a meager living. A boy sees a cameo of the queen. He has no idea who she is but is captivated by how beautiful she looks. When he does learn it's the queen, he decides to go to Windsor Castle and try to see her. By some strange circumstances, he is able to make it inside and is eventually discovered. Where this fantasy story goes next is something you'll just need to see for yourself, but in some ways it's like another fictional story about the British monarchy, "The Prince and the Pauper". But it also has a bit of the Dickens touch--as there is quite an emphasis on social responsibility and the poor.

The acting is just lovely. Dunne is perhaps at her best, Alec Guinness is his usual amazing best and Finlay Currie, though not exactly a mirror image of the man he played (John Brown), was lovely as well. A great script, nice direction and quality all around make this a neat little fantasy film...and one that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Most intelligent dialog

[bobbobwhite · 8/10 · 8 May 2012]

A typically good and effective heartstrings film of the era, with the underdog predictably triumphing, but the very best part was the brilliant Alec Guiness. What a talent! His firm, honest but loyal role as PM Disraeli was surely one of the most intelligent I have seen in film. His entire role dialog was nothing short of premier, with equal talent in his delivery of it that are both so very lacking in today's films, for the most part.

His so very erudite and eloquent speech to the House of Commons about the rights of Britain's children that included Mudlarks(really about all underdogs everywhere), and the obligation for England(and all of us everywhere)to care for and about them was astonishing and encouraging, especially where underdogs and common folk are often seen as nuisances and impediments to rich men seeking political power primarily to help themselves and their rich cronies. In reality, nothing ever changes or improves in the wealthy's perception of those without wealth, but a good fantasy about caring never hurts and may someday help as it showcases human awareness of this best-of-all-worlds ideal if not the real accomplishment of it. Maybe one day? That is the message and benefit and hope of this kind of story.

A grand film in the old style, with outstanding writing and acting.

Charming from start to finish!

[notLeonardMaltin · 1 June 2004]

This is one of those delightful post-war British films that once seen is hard to forget. The story centers around Wheeler, a London "mudlark" (an orphan who scavenges the Thames at low tide), who, upon finding a cameo of Queen Victoria, sets off to Windsor to see "the mother of England." Victoria is secluded as the "widow of Windsor" and a desperate Disraeli is vainly attempting to urge her to resume public duties. However, when Wheeler finally gets to meet his Queen, Victoria is moved to return to her public life. Wonderful performances by Irene Dunne as Victoria, Alec Guinness as Disraeli, Finlay Currie as John Brown and Andrew Ray as Wheeler, the mudlark. If only Fox would release this on DVD or VHS!

A bit slow in places, but really quite charming

[CabbageCustard · 7/10 · 3 September 2019]

I found this on YouTube and I'm pleased I did. This is a black and white film from the good old days of movies, before CGI, profanity and mindless action were essential to a movie's credibility; when good acting and intelligent writing were much more important. I'm being overly cynical, I know, but you get the point.

The Mudlark is an enjoyable little film, with a cast of fine British actors of yesteryear who are a pleasure to see in action once more. The plot of this may be a bit silly in places, and sometimes it gets a bit slow (a half baked and totally unnecessary romantic sub plot doesn't help), but for the most part this is a charming movie and should be enjoyed by adults and older children alike.

The Mudlark

[MogwaiMovieReviews · 6/10 · 25 February 2020]

The Mudlark has a fine first half hour, filled with wonderully evocative London fog and Noir-ish photography, but runs ever more out of steam as the film progresses, ending up terribly bogged down in uninteresting talk and an unconvincing ending.

The black veil of mourning is lifted

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 19 May 2014]

The Mudlark is a story of a dark period of mourning in British history. So few love matches are found in the history of royalty that when one does occur, it's treated with great reverence. So it was with Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert who gave her a bunch of kids that have insured the succession down to today.

Albert died toward the end of 1861 of typhoid fever and Victoria went into an unusually long period of mourning. She boarded herself up in Windsor Castle, conducted her state business there, and made no public appearances for well over a decade.

Now it's the Mid-1870s and the monarchy is losing its appeal. Subjects like to see their ruler every now and then, but Victoria will not leave her seclusion.

All that is disturbed when a young street urchin played by Andrew Ray for whom the Queen has taken on mythic proportions has journeyed from London and crashed Windsor Castle, disrupting things pretty good. Of course security is breached, but Victoria gets a lesson in her duties and obligations as Queen.

Irene Dunne in her next to last big screen appearance plays a regal and imperious Victoria. A good supporting cast is led by Alec Guinness as Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and Finlay Currie as John Brown her equerry and companion. Currie is the best in this film, he fits my conception of Brown as the rough Scot who likes his drink, but loves his monarch.

An interesting tale of how the black veil of mourning for Queen Victoria is lifted.

An Underappreciated Classic!

[artzau · 9/10 · 27 May 2002]

Irene Dunne wore darn near as much make-up as Lon Chaney Jr. in the Wolfman, to portray the role of Victoria I. She was a much underrated actress and the role fit her like a glove. Then, there's the late Sir Alec Guinness as Disraeli and the incomparable Finlay Curie as John Brown, the only man who had leave to blow his nose in the presence of the Queen. The tale focuses on a "Mudlark," a street urchin who lives off scrounging castaway goods from the mud banks of the Thames, who finds a likeness of Queen Victoria and resolves to visit this "Mother of all England." How this event is used by Disraeli to get her to end her reclusive widowhood is the plot of the story. Alas, no video and no DVD. This superb classic, too good for even its own time shows up from time to time on the late show and if it does, don't miss it. You'll be charmed by some outstanding performances and a winsome story. Oh. Yes, the kid gets to meet the Queen and she does join polite society once more. That much is history.

The Mudlark

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 27 December 2022]

This is a slightly stiff rendition of an old story about a young scavenger who makes his living from the debris found by the river Thames in London. One day he happens upon a portrait of Queen Victoria and sets off to Windsor Castle (no small distance) to try and meet his Sovereign. Meantime the Queen (Irene Dunne) is still wallowing in grief following the death of Prince Albert and her Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (Alec Guinness) is trying to coax her from her melancholy before it is too late for both her and the monarchy. A combination of circumstances lead to an engaging and slightly humorous set of scenarios and the mudlark gets his wish. This film provides an interesting observation on just how detached the Queen was from all of her people, not just the poorest; and of how ultimately the demonstration of innocence and, to some extent, loyalty by the child - along with some sagely interventions from Finlay Currie's highland ghillie John Brown - served to bring the Queen out of her isolation. It also features quite a stirring - and potent - oration from Guinness analysing the poverty and injustice visited upon those whom the state regarded as dispensable. A touching and life-affirming little film well worth a watch.

A wonderful warm film with an endearing cast.

[jmills43 · 9/10 · 23 June 2005]

I saw the Mudlark when it first came out in 1950 and have not seen it since. I remember the Mudlark as a very charming film and would love to see it again. If anyone is aware of available Video Tapes (NTSC) or DVDs of the Mudlark, please let me know. I remember the stirring performances of Alec Guinness (always top rate) and Finlay Currie. The little boy who plays the role of the Mudlark is really endearing and you pull for him in his quest to see the reclusive Queen Victoria. Thy British film industry of that time certainly was able to come up with some real classics. The ten years following WW 2 must have been the pinnacle of British film. I can't understand how such a first rate film can just disappear...Jim Mills

Charming from Beginning to End

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 10/10 · 22 January 2003]

Charming adaptation of a story that could very well have happened during the days of Victoria's reign after Prince Albert died.

I am not sure if it is a concoction of the imaginative author or not.

Either way, the heavyweight cast delivers as does the director and production -- and of course -- the charming Mudlark simply named "Wheeler". Here is a tale where our imaginations are treated to a fantasy of grand proportions. The comedy of errors during some scenes are enough to make us all giggle. Dunne and Guiness were wonderful!

I have not heard where Andrew Ray wound up. Does anyone know of his whereabouts?

This unlikely Anglophile gives it 10 thumbs up!

Good safe film for families

[sherilcarey · 7/10 · 11 January 2019]

There's a lot of good to this old film but I admit it was a bit lacking for my taste. I'm just trying to figure out in what way. I suppose parts of it were a bit understated or deemphasized and happened to e the wrong parts to do so with. Or maybe it just had to do with the mood I was in rather than the movie.

Mostly about the boy

[HotToastyRag · 3/10 · 15 October 2020]

I sat through this entire movie just to see an unrecognizable Irene Dunne as Queen Victoria. While it was fun to see her wearing a fat suit and an old-fashioned wig, I had to wait an extremely long time for her to show up. The vast majority of the film doesn't even involve her, but instead a runaway little boy, Andrew Ray, who manages to sneak into the palace.

He comes from very humble beginnings, sleeping in the street, stealing food, wearing rags, but when he sees a cameo with the queen's likeness on it, he becomes determined to see the beautiful lady in person. He sneaks in, and along the way through the many rooms, hiding in corners and under tables, he overhears conversations of national importance. Alec Guinness is made up to look like Benjamin Disraeli, and he repeatedly tries to get the queen to improve her image among her people. Do you think she'll listen to a little boy more than her prime minister? If you think you can stand a long, wordy British flick with the main actors having very little screen time, you can find out the answer to the crux of the story.

Want to see The Mudlark

[DLM629 · 23 August 2009]

I've been looking for this film for so many years - only to see the IMDb tells me there is no copy on VHS or DVD.

Does anyone out there have a version I could get a copy of?? I remember Irene Dunne and Alec Guiness as being such wonderful actors. I especially enjoyed Miss Dunne in the earlier version of "Showboat." Who knew she could sing so well. And Sir Alec, of course, did everything well - from "The Man in the White Suit" up to "Star Wars." I'm looking forward to re-watching "Kiind Hearts and Coronets" soon, since it's been years since I've had that pleasure.

I have a vague memory of having read "The Mudlark" when I was much younger. But I've never seen the movie version with two of my favorite actors.

Not a Species of Bird

[JamesHitchcock · 7/10 · 3 November 2020]

Security at royal residences in the 19th century does not seem to have been very efficient. Although the story told in "The Mudlark" is fictitious, it is based upon a novel, which was in turn based upon a real-life incident in 1838 which a teenage boy named Edward Jones broke into Buckingham Palace Victoria herself was still only a teenager in 1838, and Jones's exploit appears to have been motivated by a sexual obsession with the young Queen. (He was caught trying to steal her underwear).

Theodore Bonnet, the author of the novel, transfers the story to much later in Victoria's reign, around 1876, and the break-in takes place at Windsor Castle rather than Buckingham Palace. The intruder is rather younger than Edward Jones and his motive for breaking into the Castle is more innocent. The "mudlark" of Bonnet's title is not a species of bird. In Victorian London, "mudlarks" were scavengers who made a meagre living selling whatever they could find on the banks of the River Thames. The one featured in this film is a homeless young orphan boy named Wheeler. After finding a picture of Victoria and being told that she is the "mother of all England", he makes a journey along the river to Windsor Castle to see her, entering the castle after evading the guards.

The film tells of how the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, uses this incident to further his programme of social reforms and to persuade the Queen to end her self-imposed seclusion, which he sees as damaging to the monarchy. (The Queen had been living as a recluse since her husband, Prince Albert, had died more than a decade earlier). A sub-plot deals with a romance between Lady Emily, one of the Queen's Ladies-in-Waiting, and a handsome young Guards officer.

The film was a big box-office success in Britain when first released in 1950. Perhaps in the years of post-war authority it was comforting to be reminded that there was a time in the not-too-far-distant past when life had been even tougher, at least for Wheeler and those like him. The references to Disraeli's social reforms may have been intended as a reference to the similar reformist agenda of Attlee's Labour government, although if the film-makers had been accused of political partisanship they could have pointed out that Disraeli was in fact a Conservative.

"The Mudlark" is not particularly well-known today and only rarely turns up on television. Ever since the golden days of Merchant-Ivory and their imitators in the seventies, eighties and nineties, we have had a preconceived idea of what period dramas should look like- they should be made in sumptuous colour and preferably deal with the lives of the wealthy, or at least the prosperous middle classes. Black-and-white dramas about the mudlarks of this world do not really fit in with that idea. Even the Windsor Castle scenes are not particularly elaborate by the standards of modern heritage cinema.

There is, however, a lot to enjoy about the film. Young Andrew Ray is delightful as the irrepressible Wheeler. Unlike some child-actors called upon to play street urchins or guttersnipes (think, for example, of Mark Lester's impeccably middle-class workhouse boy in "Oliver!"), he really does look and sound like an authentic Cockney kid. There are also good performances from Alec Guinness as Disraeli and Irene Dunne as Queen Victoria. You wouldn't guess Dunne was American- her English even has the slight Germanic accent with which Victoria apparently spoke. This, perhaps, is not how Victoria actually was, but it is how we would like to imagine her. This is a charming little tale. 7/10

A warm and rewarding seasonal fable

[shakercoola · 7/10 · 5 July 2022]

A British period drama; A story set in 1875 about an orphan river scavenger who finds a cameo brooch which leads him to break into Windsor Castle. This is a handsome adaptation of Theodore Bonnet's fictional novel about an urchin from the murky lower reaches of the Thames and a widow in excelsis. While this film has a sentimental plot and may seem a little far-fetched it is not so dissimilar to a factual case of a child palace intruder in 1838. The story unfolds at a slow rate but the screen is always filled with interesting mise en scéne, dramatic tension, humour or atmosphere. All the players make the film a treat: Irene Dunne was considered unlikely casting to embody Britannia but embodied the ageing monarch very well. Matched with her is Alec Guinness who gives a fine performance as Her Majesty's Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. Andrew Ray is endearing as the boy looking for a mother-figure. Finlay Currie gives us a grand ghillie John Brown with all his well-known traits that will remind some viewers of Mrs Brown (1997). All in all, this is fine Christmas story-telling.

Heartwarming tale of a cockney waif who meets the queen........

[ianlouisiana · 8/10 · 20 September 2008]

The Headmaster of my old school was so taken with "The Mudlark" that he arranged a private showing in the Refectory.I can still see the loudspeakers with their Art Deco designs and the huge lumbering projector manned by the Science master who had been a Wireless Operator in the desert in World War two and was deemed to have the requisite skills. In a short prelude by the English master,we boys were told that the movie illustrated the very best aspects of British Society at the height of the Empire,and that the as yet uncrowned Queen Elizabeth would,to us,be as significant a figure as Queen Victoria had been to the eponymous "Mudlark".We all cheered happily and would no doubt have thrown our caps in the air had we been allowed to wear them indoors. There is no doubt Victoria reigned over a more cohesive society if not a more equitable one.Orphanned mudlark( a kind of river - based beachcomber) (Master A.Ray) finds a cameo of a pretty lady and discovers it is a likeness of Queen Victoria,described to him as the "mother of her people" a phrase he takes rather too literally.He sets off on a journey to return the cameo to Her Majesty. Mr A.Guinness is deliciously sardonic as Disraeli,arguably the most influential Prime Minister of the era.Mr F.Currie a vastly different and probably more true to life John Brown than Billy Connolly's wish - fulfilment in "Mrs Brown".As Victoria Miss I.Dunne is careful and respectful,if a little too heavily made up.Mr A.Steel and Miss B.Campbell are very charming as Lt. McHatton and Lady Prior respectively.Master Ray's is a typical "cockney kid" performance from an era when there were very few actual cockney kids in the British studios. Sadly,like many another child actor,his career stuttered as he grew older. The movie was heartwarming stuff for 1950s kids - cockneys or otherwise - and wakened an interest in my schoolfellows for scouring the banks of the nearby River Wey to absolutely no purpose except to exasperate parents confronted with baskets of muddy shoes and socks.Complaints to the Headmaster became so common that he issued a Draconian ban on any boy going within 50 yards of the river.We thought that was a tad hypocritical since it was his enthusiasm for "The Mudlark" that gave us the encouragement in the first place.

A good family film.

[m_rasburn · 9/10 · 14 December 2007]

Quite an under-stated classic with some superb film-noir scenes shot on the river-bank.

Mudlarks, scavengers for anything at all on the Thames' tidal mud-banks, were only one of the Victorian under-class of homeless, often orphan kids forced to scratch a living, some-how, or die without raising an eye-brow in the great metropolis. This film tells how one of these poor kids attempts to see "The Mother of the Country". Andrew Ray, who plays 'Wheeler' died in 2003. The rest of the cast can never quite out-act the young lad though Findlay Currie as the boozy, kind and understanding John Brown comes close.

Mudlark on DVD

[blairf27 · 8/10 · 19 March 2008]

This one is a genuine classic, though many people will never have heard of it. It should have been elevated to near "Oliver Twist" mythos, but it might have been thought "Even more English," and been dismissed. It tells of a time when people lived within the class system, and could see grace and nobility in it. By this, it shows us how human dignity does not reside in classes, but within the souls of every individual.The story takes place in 1875 London and is about young Wheeler, the very "Mudlark" himself. Mudlark was a name given street children who survive by scavenging on the banks of the River Thames. Wheeler there finds a cameo of Queen Victoria, which he thinks to be so beautiful he risks his life to save it.

When he presents the cameo for inspection to an older friend he is told that "she is the mother of all England," and Wheeler, who had no mother adopts the idea that she is his mother. He becomes obsessed with meeting her. Victoria , however, has adopted a seclusionary lifestyle, despite advice from the likes of the savvy Benjamin Disraeli.

He argues that her seclusion is hurting the crown and she must get out for the people to connect with her in at least the slightest way. Somehow the child gets past all of guards and walls to see his beloved mother. This, despite the fact that Windsor castle is in preparations for a state dinner. What happens then is sparkling and wonderful. The cast is full of magnificent performances by the likes of Irene Dunne & Alec Guiness. This one has just about everything you could want from a film, and a little bit more.

If you're interested in a DVD copy of this film, please contact sojourn (at) frodelius (dot) com

"The queen of the whole blasted business"

[clanciai · 10/10 · 12 November 2021]

You will never recognize Irene Dunne as Queen Victoria here, but that is really who she is. I have seen many Queen Victorias passing over the screen, and not one did ever fail in that part, and maybe especially not the American Irene Dunne. Alec Guinness is as magnificent as would be expected as Disraeli, and his major speech in Parliament is the principal highlight of the film. All the rest is the boy's show, gorgeously seconded by Finlay Currie as Mr Brown, the best Mr Brown I have seen and probably truer to reality than one would think, like this whole story is: they say the film and story is based on a legend, and there is never a legend without some ground for it. Jean Negulesco made almost exclusively masterpieces, and this was made in his prime after "Johnny Belinda" and "Britannia Mews" to add jewels to the crown. There are some charming subplots also with Anthony Steel as a dashing and very correct lieutenant, and the whole parade of servants at the Windsor Castle constitute a priceless comedy of its own. In brief, this is a wonderful picture.

A Mudlark Meets His Queen Mother

[JLRMovieReviews · 10/10 · 3 November 2014]

An orphan boy, played by Andrew Ray, finds a cameo (or brooch) of his Queen's picture in the banks of the river, and, when told she is the mother of England, he vows to meet her. He likes her face. He likes what he sees. He likes how he feels when he looks at it. The time in England is that of Queen Victoria and here she is played by a barely recognized Irene Dunne, as she caked with makeup. The young boy gets past the guards and by way of an accident he manages to get inside the castle, hiding under a dining room table. He is eventually found, but not before they think they've got an assassin on the grounds, fearing for the Queen's life. All he wants, he says, is to meet her ladyship. The boy runs into John Brown, played by Finlay Currie, who promises to get him to her, but nothing is that easy. Alec Guinness gives a very understated performance as statesman Benjamin Disraeli, who advises Queen Victoria. And, Irene Dunne is nothing but exquisite as the Queen, despite the fact the Queen doesn't act especially kind or motherly; she was known for her years in seclusion, letting no one within her small circle of confidants. Only John Moore and Disraeli were her most trusted friends. Some say John Moore was closer than that. But this film does not dwell on that at all, instead centering on the waif who set his sights on his Queen Mother so that he can see what one looks like. This was loosely based on true events. But, in that case, I don't think the young lad made it in the revered walls. The young actor, Andrew Ray, is mesmerizing and provides us with the film's heart and humor. Of course, the highlight of the film is when he finally does get to meet his Queen and, while the scenes may not be emotional as one would like, they do provide Irene Dunne with a grand way to wrap up her long career in film. Unfortunately, she ended her career with a comedy that has not been seen anywhere in years, "It Grows on Trees." But this would have a great last film for such a great actress who was never truly appreciated by the Academy, losing the Oscar five times to fellow actresses. "The Mudlark" is one of those films that once it's over, you say "Now that was good." A truly underrated and forgotten movie experience is "The Mudlark."

The kid and the queen

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 21 September 2018]

With my near-lifelong love of classic film and period dramas/films (particularly ones based on historical figures, and there are plenty of classics in this regard), 'The Mudlark' intrigued me straight away. Especially when it contained two of the biggest historical figures, the as of now second-longest reigning monarch Queen Victoria and one of Britain's most important prime minsters Benjamin Disraeli.

Further sparking interest was the cast, with the involvement of Irene Dunne, Alec Guinness and Finlay Currie promising an enormous amount. Will admit thinking before seeing 'The Mudlark' that Dunne seemed an odd choice for Victoria, having looked nothing like Victoria herself in middle age. Needn't have worried. Did have a gut feeling that even with that reservation 'The Mudlark' would be a little gem sadly overlooked today. It turned out to be exactly that.

Sure, figuring out how it would end may have been quite easy early on and occasionally at first the film is a touch stately, but one doesn't care so much about those when everything else is so brilliant.

On a visual level, 'The Mudlark' is very handsomely shot which does justice to the sets and costumes that are both lavish and evocative. The music score from William Alwyn is not discordant and has presence without intruding. The film was directed in a way showing a keen eye for detail and an ease and passion for the subject.

In terms of writing, the script is really quite masterly, very erudite and thought-provoking, with the highlight being Disraeli's speech which was really quite powerful. The story, both with the boy's quest and Disraeli's attempt to get Victoria out of solitude, is compelling and emotionally resonant with nothing ringing false.

'The Mudlark' is a masterclass when it comes to the acting. Andrew Ray is endearing and very easy to relate to and Currie is suitably crusty as John Brown. It's the two leads who dominate, especially the marvel that is Guinness who transforms himself into this shrewd, intelligent and sympathetic man. Unreognisable Dunne is imperious and dignified, making for some movingly sincere moments. Her and Guinness have a very believable chemistry together, an affectionate one which was very much accurate in reality.

Concluding, a little gem that should be better known. 9/10 Bethany Cox