Review of Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) by Ryan D — 18 Nov 2009

Robert Hamer's black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets tells the story of a would-be Duke. The protagonists mother was part of a noble family but married a commoner and her family wanted nothing to do with her. Her dying wish was to be buried in the family crypt but this was denied. As a results the protagonist vows to become duke. The problem is that he is only 11th in line to dukedom. Of the 10 people ranked ahead of him, he murders 8 of them (all played by Alec Guinness) while 2 die without his help. Just after becoming duke he is found guilty of murdering someone he did not kill. The entire story is told in flashback through the protagonist's memoirs prior to being hanged. At the end, he is acquitted because the widow of the deceased produces a suicide note. Unfortunately for the duke, as he is greeted to a bunch of cheers he remembers he has left his memoirs in his cell.

The film stars Dennis Price as the future duke Louis Mazzini and Alec Guinness as The Duke, The Banker, The Parson, The General, The Admiral, Young Ascoyne, Young Henry, Lady Agatha, and a person in an ancestor's portrait. Seeing Alec Guinnes play so many characters was kind of fun and if you didn't know any better you might not realize it is the same actor playing all of them.

Overall, this was a rather fun film. You knew the main character would be in serious trouble at the end of the film, but having him convicted of killing someone he didn't kill, then be acquitted, and then forget to take his memoirs was an interesting way to do it. This isn't the most important film ever made by any stretch, but it's a nice change of pace for someone looking for something light.

85/100.

B.