What the Butler Saw
White golliwogs, cross-dressing coppers, bellboy rapists, insanity, incest, and Winston Churchill’s giant member all play their part in this BBC production of Joe Orton’s farcical, bitingly satirical 1969 play, in which the head psychiatrist of a lunatic asylum, when trying to conceal the attempted molestation of his new secretary from his wife, only succeeds in making himself (and everyone else) look completely round the bend.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in a grand country house, Dr. Prentice, a psychiatrist, is preparing his home for a visit from a government inspector. His wife, Sheila, is having an affair with a young gardener, Geraldine. The situation escalates into a chaotic and farcical series of events involving mistaken identities, hidden secrets, and escalating absurdity. The film satirizes the hypocrisy and sexual repression within the upper classes and the psychiatric profession.
Critical Reception
Lindsay Anderson's final film, 'What the Butler Saw,' is a darkly comedic and farcical adaptation of Joe Orton's play. It received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its audacious humor and performances, though some found its relentless satire and chaotic plot to be overwhelming. The film is noted for its sharp wit and its unflinching look at societal mores.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its sharp, Orton-esque wit and satirical edge.
- Noted for its chaotic and often outrageous comedic situations.
- Some critics found the plot excessively convoluted and the humor too relentless.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This was the final film directed by the acclaimed Lindsay Anderson, who passed away shortly after its completion.
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