The Fallen Idol (1948)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Fallen Idol (1948) – C. Reed

Middle film in a string of great ones from director Carol Reed (this followed Odd Man Out, 1947, and preceded The Third Man, 1949).  Told (more or less) from the perspective of a young boy, Philippe, living in a French-speaking embassy in London who tries to help butler Baines (Ralph Richardson), a friendly surrogate father figure, when there’s trouble in the house.  It starts when Phile accidentally discovers that Baines is meeting with a young woman (who he calls his niece) and doesn’t want Mrs. Baines (portrayed as mean-spirited and vindictive) to know. Of course, adult viewers realise that Baines is having an affair but naïve young Phile never figures this out – to him it is something of a game, keeping the secret, until suddenly it is no longer a game.  When the police become involved, Phile isn’t sure what to tell them and indeed he doesn’t really know what is true and what is not.  Suspense builds when viewers realise that Phile is the only witness to the crime and the fate of the good guys rests with him.  Reed and team employ beautiful sets, location shooting and B&W cinematography to good effect and Richardson gives a subtle and nuanced performance.