The Man Upstairs | |
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Original UK quad poster
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Directed by | Don Chaffey |
Produced by | Robert Dunbar |
Written by | Alun Falconer Robert Dunbar Don Chaffey |
Starring |
Richard Attenborough Bernard Lee Donald Houston |
Cinematography | Gerald Gibbs |
Edited by | John Trumper |
Release date
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Running time
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88 min. |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Man Upstairs is a 1958 film directed by Don Chaffey. It stars Richard Attenborough and Bernard Lee. The film was produced by Robert Dunbar for Act Films Ltd.
Peter Watson, a tenant of an apartment block is troubled with pain and an inability to sleep. He repeatedly tries unsuccessfully to light the gas-fire that requires coins and seeks help from another lodger, artist Nicholas, who is spending the night with his model, and is reluctant to be disturbed. Another neighbour, Pollen calls for police help. The others in the boarding house are awaken by this time, and Mrs. Barnes tries to help the mentally confused Watson but he also refuses her help. The police clash with Dr. Sanderson, a welfare worker, who thinks he can take the gun-toting Watson without complications, but when a police sergeant is injured, Police Inspector Thompson is determined to take Watson by force if necessary.
TV Guide wrote, "a superb performance from Attenborough is at the core of this character study"; and The New York Times singled out Alun Falconer's "script, the tight direction by Don Chaffey, and the performances of the principals", and noted, "although they (the performances) do not make "The Man Upstairs" extraordinary, they give this modest effort the sheen of honesty and quality."