The Servant Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rich guy hires a seemingly perfect servant, but things get weird when the servant’s ‘sister’ shows up, leading to a bizarre power struggle over who gets to pick the music.

🍿 The Servant: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Tony and Barrett

Tony, a wealthy and somewhat naive aristocrat, hires Hugo Barrett as his servant. Barrett appears to be the ideal employee: efficient, discreet, and knowledgeable. He quickly takes over the management of Tony’s London townhouse, impressing Tony with his skills.

The Arrival of Vera and Mounting Suspicion

Barrett introduces his supposed sister, Vera, who becomes a maid in the household. Susan, Tony’s fiancée, immediately dislikes both Barrett and Vera, sensing something amiss. She voices her concerns to Tony, but he dismisses them, blinded by Barrett’s apparent competence and charm. Vera is very attractive and wears very short skirt that attracts Tony.

Infidelity and Exposure

Tony succumbs to Vera’s seduction, leading to an affair. While Tony and Susan are away, Barrett and Vera are discovered in Tony’s bed. The truth about their relationship is revealed: they are lovers, not siblings. Susan ends her engagement with Tony, disgusted by his infidelity and the deception.

Re-hiring and the Power Shift

After some time apart and feeling lonely, Tony encounters Barrett in a pub. Barrett manipulates Tony into re-hiring him, feigning remorse and loneliness. Back in the house, the dynamic shifts dramatically. Barrett exerts increasing control over Tony, leading him down a path of degradation and dependence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Barrett (Dirk Bogarde): A seemingly loyal servant who manipulates his way into controlling his wealthy employer’s life.
• Tony (James Fox): An aristocratic and naive young man who is slowly undermined by his servant.
• Vera (Sarah Miles): Barrett’s accomplice and lover who is presented as his sister and seduces Tony.
• Susan (Wendy Craig): Tony’s suspicious girlfriend who dislikes Barrett and tries to warn Tony.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hugo Barrett: “I’ll tell you what I am. I’m a gentleman’s gentleman, and you’re no bloody GENTLEMAN!” – Barrett says this during a confrontation with Tony, revealing his contempt and challenging Tony’s social standing.
• Susan: “What do you want from this house?” – Susan asks Barrett this, expressing her suspicion and dislike for him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $45,522
• Worldwide Gross: $75,720

💥 The Servant Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into this movie! The way the atmosphere slowly builds from normal to creepy is amazing. Dirk Bogarde’s performance is just mesmerizing; I couldn’t take my eyes off him. The scene where Vera seduces Tony in the kitchen was so tense, you could feel the heat. I’m still thinking about that ending, though… it leaves so much up in the air! Definitely a must-watch for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British New Wave cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Admirers of Harold Pinter’s writing”
  • “Those who appreciate films with complex characters and themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Themes of manipulation and degradation”
  • “Suggestive scenes”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “A chilling and masterful exploration of class and power. Bogarde’s performance is a career highlight, perfectly capturing the subtle menace that undermines the unsuspecting Tony. The film’s claustrophobic atmosphere and Pinter’s sharp dialogue create a truly unsettling experience.
• Sight & Sound: “Losey’s direction expertly uses the confined setting to amplify the psychological tension. The black and white cinematography adds to the film’s stark beauty. However, some may find the ending somewhat ambiguous, leaving the story’s ultimate meaning open to interpretation.
• The New York Times: “A landmark film of the British New Wave. The movie’s exploration of decadence and the subversion of social norms remains relevant. Though some of the sexual politics might feel dated, the film’s power to disturb remains undeniable.

Audience Reactions

Dirk Bogarde’s performance is outstanding.: The film’s exploration of class warfare and manipulation resonates strongly with viewers.

The film’s atmosphere is dark and disturbing: The film’s unique and stylized visuals are also frequently praised.

Overall Consensus: A disturbing and thought-provoking exploration of power, class, and manipulation, anchored by excellent performances and masterful direction, but the ending is open to interpretation.

Awards

1. BAFTA Film Award (Best British Actor)- 1964
2. BAFTA Film Award (Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles)- 1964
3. BAFTA Film Award (Best British Cinematography)- 1964

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dirk Bogarde stepped in as an uncredited director for two weeks when Joseph Losey was hospitalized with pneumonia, relying on phone instructions from Losey.”
• “Harold Pinter, the screenwriter, makes a cameo appearance in the restaurant scene as a ‘society man’.”
• “The film’s score by John Dankworth features vocals by Cleo Laine, creating a distinctive and somewhat unsettling atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Servant?

Currently, ‘The Servant’ (1963) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major digital retailers. Check your preferred platform for availability in your region and any associated costs.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Servant, you might like these similar films:

• Parasite (2019): Modern Equivalent: Explores class dynamics and a power shift within a household with dark humor and suspense.
• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992): Thematic Similar: A seemingly helpful individual infiltrates a family with malevolent intentions, leading to psychological manipulation.
• Death in Venice (1971): Dirk Bogarde: Bogarde in another role with homoerotic undertones.

🛒 The Servant Related Products

• Harold Pinter: Complete Screenplays: This digital collection contains all of Harold Pinter’s screenplays. A must-have for film and literature enthusiasts.
• Dirk Bogarde: An Actor’s Life: The biography of Dirk Bogarde. Explore the actor’s life and career.
• The Servant – Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray features a restored high-definition digital transfer, offering the best possible viewing experience.
• Class Warfare: A Board Game: A strategic board game where players compete to climb the social ladder, using cunning and manipulation.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Servant features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “All Gone” – performed by Cleo Laine
• “The Servant Theme” – performed by John Dankworth

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Doctor Faustus Video Summary

Ever wondered about the origins of stories about selling your soul for power? This video breaks down Marlowe’s ‘Doctor Faustus,’ a classic tale exploring similar themes of manipulation and control found in ‘The Servant’. It’s a quick watch and really interesting!

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