ALFIE (1966) (DVD/WS/ENG 5.1) DVD

Alfie
Michael Caine's first starring role was a foray into dramatic irony, scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play. Alfie (Caine) is a charming, rogueish Cockney who cannot get his fill of women. He uses them without shame or malice, jumping from one promiscuous female's bed to another without much thought or feeling. Of course, Alfie's not as carefree as he would have the audience -- to whom he often speaks directly -- think: he treats his pregnant, common-law wife, Gilda (Julia Foster), quite shabbily, and has an affair with a married woman (Vivien Merchant) that leaves her pregnant, for which Alfie arranges an abortion. In the end, Alfie never finds lasting meaning or pleasure but remains an unrepentant, if low-class, Don Juan. Caine was Oscar-nominated for his performance. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

Cast Michael Caine as Alfie Shelley Winters as Ruby Millicent Martin as Siddie Julia Foster as Gilda Jane Asher as Annie Shirley Ann Field as Carla Vivien Merchant as Lily Eleanor Bron as Woman Doctor Denholm Elliott as Mr. Smith, abortionist Alfie Bass as Harry Graham Stark as Humphrey Murray Melvin as Nat Sydney Tafler as Frank

Crew Lewis Gilbert - Director Thelma Connell - Editor Burt Bacharach - Composer (Music Score) Hal David - Composer (Music Score) Sonny Rollins - Composer (Music Score) Peter Mullins - Production Designer Otto Heller - Cinematographer Lewis Gilbert - Producer Bill Naughton - Screenwriter Bill Naughton - Play Author

Alfie
Lewis Gilbert's Alfie made quite a splash upon release in 1966, garnering good reviews and six Academy Award nominations. While the film has a certain visual flair and a soundtrack by jazz great Sonny Rollins, many viewers will find the film out of date and sexist. This English film is still enlightening to watch because of Michael Caine's portrait of Alfie (his first starring roll), a self-centered, fun-loving English chap who, because of his harsh treatment of women, is mostly unsympathetic. He attempts to win the viewer's sympathy nonetheless, with the novel technique of addressing the camera directly. Of course, much of his folly is meant to be ironic; at some point, Gilbert seems to suggest, sexual conquests are unfulfilling. While Alfie does pay a price for his indulgences, he never changes and never develops a lasting relationship. Alfie represents the rare '60s film that attempts to examine the consequences of the sexual revolution, candidly covering the subjects of pregnancy and abortion. Gilbert also directed several James Bond films, and he renewed his association with Michael Caine for 1983's Educating Rita. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Movie Guide
 

Bill Naughton: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated) Bill Naughton: Golden Globe, Best Screenplay (nominated) Burt Bacharach: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Song (nominated) Burt Bacharach: Golden Globe, Best Original Score (nominated) Hal David: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Song (nominated) Hal David: Golden Globe, Best Original Score (nominated) Lewis Gilbert: Directors Guild of America, Best Director (nominated) Lewis Gilbert: Golden Globe, Best Director (nominated) Michael Caine: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Actor (nominated) Michael Caine: Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (nominated) Shelley Winters: Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actress (nominated) Vivien Merchant: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Supporting Actress (nominated) Vivien Merchant: British Academy of Film and Television, Most Promising Newcomer (winner) Vivien Merchant: Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actress (nominated) Vivien Merchant: National Board of Review, Best Supporting Actress (winner)

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Picture (nominated) British Academy of Film and Television, Best British Film (nominated) Cannes Film Festival, Special Jury Prize (winner) Golden Globe, Best Foreign Film - English Language (winner) National Board of Review, Best Picture (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DD1: Dolby Digital Mono Additional Features: Theatrical trailer MPAA Rating: PG DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 113 min   DVD Chapters: Scene Selection 0. Scene Selection 1. Siddie [:10] 2. Gilda [5:58] 3. Malcolm [1:43] 4. The Manageress [7:57] 5. The Chiropodist [1:09] 6. Dora [2:07] 7. The X-ray Technician [:36] 8. Humphrey [:33] 9. The Doctor [3:31] 10. Harry [1:52] 11. Carla [1:00] 12. Lily [4:59] 13. Annie [1:28] 14. Ruby [6:25] 15. Frank [2:50] 16. The Abortionist [3:02] 17. The Younger Man [1:51] 18. Alfie [7:53]