Despite a good cast this film rapidly exhaust it's welcpme.You just wonder what it would have been like if Peter Sellers had taken the lead role.Unfortunately Anton Rodgers just isn't good enough.Charlotte Rampling features at the beginning of her long career.Ian Bannen is only moderately amusing as her officer lover.The Boultings were starting to loose their touch by this time.
8 Reviews
Worth it for the cast
Leofwine_draca18 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
ROTTEN TO THE CORE is a complex little British comedy effort from the Boulting brothers, featuring a huge cast of familiar faces from the era and lots of twisty little turns over the course of the running time. The characters all have unusual and inventive names and for once there are more criminals than 'good' characters present. It's a story of prison and release, of robberies and chaos, of double crosses, pompous army officers and people hiding under assumed identities. The comedy might be middling at times and more amusing than laugh-out-loud, but seeing the likes of Kenneth Griffith, Dudley Sutton and Ian Bannen shining is always a delight.
Unfortunate title.
crumpytv23 April 2021
Rotten to the core, the title and the review.
Sadly dated and not really funny at all.
The only thing worth watching it for is for appearance's by well know support actors of the time.
Eric Sykes is good, but that is about it.
Charlotte Ramplings script was cringeworthy (or a bad-trip to cringeville).
Sadly dated and not really funny at all.
The only thing worth watching it for is for appearance's by well know support actors of the time.
Eric Sykes is good, but that is about it.
Charlotte Ramplings script was cringeworthy (or a bad-trip to cringeville).
Film not so memorable, but two things I'll remember about it.
mark.waltz19 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
First of all is the theme song which I could not find credits for who wrote it. It sounds like something that Stephen Sondheim might have written and discarded for either "A Little Night Music" or "Into the Woods". Certainly appropriate as a theme song for The movie, but rather bizarre, and in keeping with the stylistic patter songs that he wrote later on, it sings of Sondheim. Next is the scene of one of the recently released crooks, given "the arm" so he can attempt some petty pickpocketing in public, and with the aide of a third hand attempts to steal a woman's wallet, notices the picture in her purse, then changes his mind. Later on, someone notices him attempting to pull their wallet out of their back pocket and discreetly lights their newspaper on fire. Quite a memorable scene, but sadly, that's where most of the laughs stopped for me.
Outside of Samantha Eggar (who was apparently dubbed), I wasn't familiar with any of these actors. Yes indeed, one of the roles could have been played by Peter Sellers had this film been made several years before, but by then, he was doing big things like "Doctor Strangelove", "The Pink Panther" and "What's New Pussycat". As a caper comedy, I've seen much better and certainly with a funnier cast. The plot is rather messy and the acting seems forced. Very much of its time, with British actors of the second string, probably more familiar to BBC viewers of the time than British filmgoers and American fans of British cinema.
Outside of Samantha Eggar (who was apparently dubbed), I wasn't familiar with any of these actors. Yes indeed, one of the roles could have been played by Peter Sellers had this film been made several years before, but by then, he was doing big things like "Doctor Strangelove", "The Pink Panther" and "What's New Pussycat". As a caper comedy, I've seen much better and certainly with a funnier cast. The plot is rather messy and the acting seems forced. Very much of its time, with British actors of the second string, probably more familiar to BBC viewers of the time than British filmgoers and American fans of British cinema.
QUITE A FUNNY FILM - COULD HAVE BEEN A CLASSIC IF PETER SELLERS HAD BEEN IN IT
andyrobert14 August 2020
Anton Rodgers was a good television and radio actor. I remember listening to him on the radio in The Peter Goodwright Show and many other radio shows in the 1960s. When listening to the voice of someone on the radio or the telephone, one tends to create a mindful image of a different person, but I must say that his voice did suit his graceful and assuring personality. He was also very good in the television show, May To September.
However, I do think the Anton Rodgers's part was tailor-made for Peter Sellers. He could have done wonders for this film, especially with all the disguises and personalities that the character took on.
Although, the best performance goes to the brilliant Eric Sykes as a comical private investigator. Perhaps Peter Sellers would have played that part as well, as the comic genius of Eric Sykes versus the comic genius of Peter Sellers would not have worked in the same film.
According to the IMDB "trivia", Dirk Bogarde and Alfred Marks were considered for parts in this film, but I think the scripts would have to have been rewritten for them, as I cannot imagine what parts they would have played. Dirk Bogarde usually played lighter comedy roles.
I remember this film being advertised in 1964 when it first came out, but this morning on Talking Pictures was the first time that I had been able to catch up with it. The film would probably have been funnier in the 1960s, when most of the funny scenes were fresher. Some of the same gags have been copied many times since.
I will give it 9 out of 10, but with the talents of Peter Sellers, Terry-Thomas and Lionel Jeffreys, it could have been one of the great Boulting Brothers classics.
However, I do think the Anton Rodgers's part was tailor-made for Peter Sellers. He could have done wonders for this film, especially with all the disguises and personalities that the character took on.
Although, the best performance goes to the brilliant Eric Sykes as a comical private investigator. Perhaps Peter Sellers would have played that part as well, as the comic genius of Eric Sykes versus the comic genius of Peter Sellers would not have worked in the same film.
According to the IMDB "trivia", Dirk Bogarde and Alfred Marks were considered for parts in this film, but I think the scripts would have to have been rewritten for them, as I cannot imagine what parts they would have played. Dirk Bogarde usually played lighter comedy roles.
I remember this film being advertised in 1964 when it first came out, but this morning on Talking Pictures was the first time that I had been able to catch up with it. The film would probably have been funnier in the 1960s, when most of the funny scenes were fresher. Some of the same gags have been copied many times since.
I will give it 9 out of 10, but with the talents of Peter Sellers, Terry-Thomas and Lionel Jeffreys, it could have been one of the great Boulting Brothers classics.
The computerised crook!
ShadeGrenade29 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
'Rotten To The Core' ( 1965 ) is a bright, breezy crime comedy set in Harold Wilson's Britain. It opens with freeze-frames of Wilson himself, a voice-over courtesy of Mike Yarwood, and a loud raspberry. None of which has anything to do with the story that follows ( the titles are augmented by a horrible jazz theme sung by an uncredited woman who sounds like Cleo Laine on a bad day ). Having managed to send up the trade union movement in 'I'm Alright Jack' ( 1959 ), organised religion in 'Heavens' Above' ( 1963 ), and the legal profession in 'Brothers In Law' ( 1957 ), here the Boulting Brothers lowered their sights considerably. 'Core' is another in a seemingly long line of 'loveable crooks' comedies, which can be traced back to 'The Lavender Hill Mob' ( and probably before even that ). Three incompetent villains - 'Scarpa Flood' ( James Beckett ), 'Lenny The Dip' ( Kenneth Griffith ) and 'Jelly Knight' ( Dudley Sutton ) - are simultaneously released from prison ( where they have served 18 months for robbery ), and set about trying to locate their gang leader - 'Randolph Berkeley-Greene' a.k.a. 'The Duke' ( Anton Rodgers ). They think at first he has died, but he is very much alive. While they have been inside, the wily mastermind has invested their share of their loot in his next big plan - to steal the British army's payroll. The Duke's girlfriend 'Sara' ( Charlotte Rampling ) is used as bait to ensnare the bone-headed 'Lieutenant Percy Vine' ( Ian Bannen )...
In keeping with the classlessness of those times, 'Berkeley-Greene' is an ordinary Cockney crook trying to be aristocratic, while Sara is a rich man's daughter palling around with criminals so as to inject excitement into her drab life. 'The Duke' is almost identical to 'Pearly Gates' - the Peter Sellers character from Cliff Owen's 'The Wrong Arm Of The Law' ( 1963 ). Only instead of a fashion shop, he now runs a health spa, giving gin-laced water to the elderly residents who drink it thinking it to be spring water. Berkeley-Greene also has a knack for ingenious disguises. Rodgers is no Sellers, of course, but manages a reasonable job. Rampling, on the other hand, looks hopelessly out of place. Victor Maddern's 'Anxious O'Toole' may or may not have been inspired by 'Nervous O'Toole' ( Bernard Cribbins ), also from 'Wrong Arm'. Lenny, Jelly and Scarpa seem to be the same crooks from Robert Day's 'Two-Way Stretch' ( 1962 ), played on that occasion by Bernard Cribbins, David Lodge and Peter Sellers ( although the latter's character was called 'Dodger Lane' ). One wonders whether or not 'Core' started life as two scripts, one a sequel to 'Stretch', the other to 'Wrong Arm', until it occurred to someone to combine them.
'Core' is not as good as either, but has more than its fair share of laughs, particularly when Eric Sykes is around ( cast as a hopeless private detective who got thrown off the police force for having flat feet ). Other familiar faces include Peter Vaughan, Raymond Huntley, Thorley Walters, and Avis Bunnage.
Things To Look Out For - on the London Underground, Roy Boulting is amongst the crowd. Or maybe it is John. Being twins, it is hard to tell which is which.
In keeping with the classlessness of those times, 'Berkeley-Greene' is an ordinary Cockney crook trying to be aristocratic, while Sara is a rich man's daughter palling around with criminals so as to inject excitement into her drab life. 'The Duke' is almost identical to 'Pearly Gates' - the Peter Sellers character from Cliff Owen's 'The Wrong Arm Of The Law' ( 1963 ). Only instead of a fashion shop, he now runs a health spa, giving gin-laced water to the elderly residents who drink it thinking it to be spring water. Berkeley-Greene also has a knack for ingenious disguises. Rodgers is no Sellers, of course, but manages a reasonable job. Rampling, on the other hand, looks hopelessly out of place. Victor Maddern's 'Anxious O'Toole' may or may not have been inspired by 'Nervous O'Toole' ( Bernard Cribbins ), also from 'Wrong Arm'. Lenny, Jelly and Scarpa seem to be the same crooks from Robert Day's 'Two-Way Stretch' ( 1962 ), played on that occasion by Bernard Cribbins, David Lodge and Peter Sellers ( although the latter's character was called 'Dodger Lane' ). One wonders whether or not 'Core' started life as two scripts, one a sequel to 'Stretch', the other to 'Wrong Arm', until it occurred to someone to combine them.
'Core' is not as good as either, but has more than its fair share of laughs, particularly when Eric Sykes is around ( cast as a hopeless private detective who got thrown off the police force for having flat feet ). Other familiar faces include Peter Vaughan, Raymond Huntley, Thorley Walters, and Avis Bunnage.
Things To Look Out For - on the London Underground, Roy Boulting is amongst the crowd. Or maybe it is John. Being twins, it is hard to tell which is which.
If You Don't Laugh at this One, You're...
palsy200118 March 2001
If You Don't Laugh at this One, You're...
Rotten to the Core!
That was what the University (UVa) movie marquee said in 1965.
So I went in determined not to laugh. Within 5 minutes I was rolling in the aisle with laughter. Really the funniest movie I ever saw. A caper movie a la "Lavender Hill Mob". Everyone in this movie is crazy. I would like to get a copy of it. I rate it a 10.
"Bennie the Dip"
Rotten to the Core!
That was what the University (UVa) movie marquee said in 1965.
So I went in determined not to laugh. Within 5 minutes I was rolling in the aisle with laughter. Really the funniest movie I ever saw. A caper movie a la "Lavender Hill Mob". Everyone in this movie is crazy. I would like to get a copy of it. I rate it a 10.
"Bennie the Dip"
Two Way Strech 2 or Wrong Arm Of The Law 2 ******
ian_d14713 January 2007
Wow! this film is up there with the likes of Two Way Strech and Wrong Arm Of The Law, its a crime caper, with a cast that is as funny as it seems to come up on the credits, you will not be disappointed. A well known cast carry out this film to perfection, not a very well known film, but why not. Its as good as any of them and one of the better films from 1965.
If you can get your hands on a copy then do so, it might be the only chance you get to see it, i have a copy, brought it from ebay and its been recorded from Channle 4 so keep your eyes out! Wow, i'm sorry but this film is a LAF! go for it and you who all slag it off, have you even bothered to watch it? 10+
If you can get your hands on a copy then do so, it might be the only chance you get to see it, i have a copy, brought it from ebay and its been recorded from Channle 4 so keep your eyes out! Wow, i'm sorry but this film is a LAF! go for it and you who all slag it off, have you even bothered to watch it? 10+
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