The Wrong Box

The Wrong Box is a classic British dark comedy film from 1966 directed by Bryan Forbes, a name long associated with smart and stylish filmmaking. This film boasts a magnificent and renowned cast, including British acting legends such as John Mills, Michael Caine, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, and Tony Hancock. It stands as an incarnation of British wit, charming sarcasm and farcical comedy that so well characterized movies of that era.

Based on the 1889 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson and his stepson Lloyd Osbourne, The Wrong Box anchors its plot on a 'tontine', a peculiar sort of investment scheme that was notably popular in the 19th century. The story unfurls around two eccentric and elderly brothers, Masterman and Joseph Finsbury (played by John Mills and Ralph Richardson respectively), who are the last surviving members of a tontine - the investment system whereby the last surviving member inherits the entire fund.

John Mills plays the irascible and cantankerous Masterman, who lives in a dilapidated mansion with a bevy of oddball family members and servants. Ralph Richardson, on the other hand, episodes Joseph's character, a kindly but absent-minded old gentleman with a fondness for collecting dismal trivia. Living with him are his wards, his invaluable butler Peacock, and two young gentlemen (played by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore) who are poised to inherit Joseph's share of the tontine if he outlives his brother.

In the midst of this peculiar context comes Michael Caine as Michael Finsbury, the romantic and lovably naive nephew, who is desperately in love with his cousin and housemate, Julia Finsbury. The story see-saws between hilarious interactions, blundered sequences, and comic suspicions while maintaining the suspense of who will eventually inherit the tontine.

The gravitas that older actors like Mills and Richardson bring to the movie is nicely blended with the irreverent humor of younger talents like Michael Caine and the writing-acting team of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore that adds to the overall comic dynamic.

The strength of The Wrong Box lies not only in its remarkable cast but also in its intriguing storyline that perfectly wanders from oddball to absurd situations, through gags and misunderstandings, all wrapped up with a gallantly British sense of humor. The film's script, penned by Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove, retains much of Stevenson's sparkling dialogue and innuendo without neglecting the slapstick. This works to beautifully evoke the comic and absurd aspects of the novel.

The setting and atmosphere of the film are exquisitely crafted, providing a vivid portrayal of Victorian England, with its grimy streets, cluttered interiors, and eccentric characters. The cinematography paints an almost Dickensian portrait of 19th-century London, setting a perfect stage for the eccentric characters that inhabit this world.

The film ticks along at a brisk pace and offers numerous set pieces of comedy gold, such as the on-going saga of a misplaced corpse, a turbulent journey in a horse-drawn cab through foggy London, and a train wreck skilfully recreated with miniatures. The Wrong Box also thrives on its black humor, much of it revolving around death, mortality, and the longevity of its key characters.

In summary, The Wrong Box is a stylish British comedic gem from the 1960s, remaining a delightful mashup of absurd scenarios, gallows humor, and sharp wit. It is a goofball period piece that draws its humor from slapstick, wordplay, and dark comedy, with an overall light-hearted tone. With its charismatic actors brilliantly portraying multi-faceted characters, the film is sure to provide ascents of laughter while still keeping the audience guessing about the eventual recipient of the tontine. It's a brilliant example of vintage comedy, reflecting notable aspects of British humor, a must-see for any fan of classic English cinema.