Brothers in Law

This is a delightful, gentle, warm and witty little piece of old England. Public school accents, sedate lives and endless good manners all provide a wonderful antidote to the trash Hollywood is currently creating at a million times the cost! The stars are worth watching just because of who they are...Ian Carmichael, Terry~Thomas, Dickie Attenborough, Nicholas Parsons and the incomparable John LeMesurier. Select a soggy November day in England, get a cup of cocoa, don the fluffiest slippers possible and watch this with complete escapist delight.

Another of the Boulting Brothers swipes at the British Establishment. This time it's the law that is the target and very funny it is, too. Once again, it's Richard Attenborough, Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas heading up a superb cast of British character players that includes Miles Malleson, John Le Mesurier, Eric Barker (winning a Best Newcomer British Academy Award), Raymond Huntley and the great Irene Handl who dominates the film's funniest scene which takes place, naturally, in court. Hugely popular at the time of its release, it isn't much revived now, more's the pity, as it is something of a classic of it's kind. Seek it out.

The Boulting brothers never deny themselves even in comedies. They used to make very serious films dealing with social problems and vital events of universal interest, but gradually they moved over to comedies, and one of their comedies following this one was "Heavens Above!" with Peter Sellers as a priest in one of his best films. As always, their approach to the subject they are dealing with is deeply human, all their films are poignant studies of humanity, and this is no exception, although it deals with strict formalities at court and the difficulties with these that a young inexperienced lawyer encounters as he has to grope his way in total ignorance of what the rules are of the uncompromising formalities. Ian Carmichael is even more inept here than usual, but fortunately he has Richard Attenborough to help him - and one or other occasional lady. It's a great comedy and witty to the extreme, it's difficult to follow all the turns, but you will be rewarded in the end.

A fun film about barristers who have just begun their careers. Ian Carmichael plays Roger Thursby, who is hired on as a "pupil" (an associate) and immediately he is in court. He fumbles along through some little mishaps in court, but finds his way eventually. Its a great cast, including Richard Attenborough and Terry-Thomas, amongst others. I can imagine any lawyer in Britain or anywhere else smiling through this, recalling their first missteps before a judge. The film moves along well, and the characters are both likable and well realized. The title threw me, I thought it was about a bickering family (I bought it because Terry-Thomas, who actually has a minor role), but it is about the law. A fun, amusing film, especially recommended for anyone remotely related to the legal profession.

Newly qualified and wet behind the ears barrister Roger Thursby joins his flatmate Henry Marshall as trainee at a London law firm. After a bout of confusion, Thursby finds himself defending a case and is hopelessly out of his depth, where the only thing he wins is the scorn of the judge! Things are further compounded by the fact that both Roger and Henry have designs on pretty Sally Smith who lives on the top floor. But a chance encounter with 17 time offender Alfred Green is going to turn Roger's world upside down.

As British as Fish & Chips is Brothers In Law. Starring Richard Attenborough (Henry), Ian Carmichael (Roger), Terry-Thomas (Alfred Green) and brought to us by the supreme talents of Roy and John Boulting, it's a cheeky and charming satire on the British wig wearing legal eagles.

The film opens with Shakespeare's quote from Henry VI (Part 2), "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers," from there we follow the sprightly Carmichael as he bumbles his way through a series of court encounters and a bad golf day with Judge Ryman (the irrepressible and elegant John Le Mesurier). Aided by a nice sub-plot that sees Attenborough and Carmichael chase the delectable Jill Adams as Sally Smith, Brothers In Arms is really just unfussy film making.

Things further gather a pace once Terry-Thomas arrives on the scene as Alfred Green. With a full head of hair and gap in tooth prominent as usual, the film, and Roger's fortunes, considerably changes. It should be noted, however, that Thomas is only in the film for a very short time, and he doesn't turn up until past the hour mark. So fans of his should not expect a Terry-Thomas vehicle, in fact that the film is included in the Thomas Region 2 Collection Box Set is somewhat perplexing.

Other notable British stars such as Eric Barker, Nicholas Parsons, Irene Handl and Leslie Phillips pop up along the way. While Benjamin Frankel's music has that lovely plink plonk comedy feel to really aid the charm on offer. Based on the novel written by Henry Cecil (himself a judge), Brothers In Arms achieves all it sets out to do. 8/10