Look Back in Anger (1959 film)

Woodfall Film Productions

Company type	Film production company
Industry	Film production
Founded	1958
Founder	Tony Richardson, John Osborne, Harry Saltzman
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Key people	Tony Richardson (director), Harry Saltzman (producer)
Products	Films

Look Back in Anger is a 1959 British kitchen sink drama film featuring Richard Burton, Claire Bloom, and Mary Ure, under the direction of Tony Richardson. Adapted from John Osborne's play, it delves into a complex love triangle between Jimmy Porter, a disillusioned working-class man; his upper-middle-class wife Alison; and her determined friend Helena Charles. The character Ma Tanner, played by Edith Evans, is introduced to emphasize class conflict. Both the film and the original play are prominent examples of British kitchen sink realism.

Plot

Jimmy and Alison Porter reside in a modest attic apartment in an industrial Midlands town (Derby), sharing the space with Jimmy’s business partner and friend, Cliff. Despite holding university degrees, Jimmy and Cliff operate a small sweet stall. Jimmy’s frustration with his stagnant social position and perceived societal inequalities fuels his anger towards authority figures, which he often vents through verbal abuse directed at Alison, whose upper-middle-class origins he resents. Alison, unaware to Jimmy, is pregnant but uncertain about their marriage.

The situation intensifies when Alison invites her assertive friend Helena to stay with them. Disapproving of Jimmy’s harsh treatment of Alison, Helena encourages her to leave on the same day that Ma Tanner—who financed Jimmy’s stall—suffers a fatal stroke. Alison departs accompanied by her father, Colonel Redfern. Jimmy only learns about Alison’s absence and pregnancy afterward. An emotional confrontation with Helena eventually leads to an affair between them.

Several months later, Jimmy and Helena live comfortably together, though Jimmy remains wounded by Alison’s departure. Meanwhile, Alison endures a difficult pregnancy at her parents’ home. When Cliff decides to pursue his own business venture, Jimmy and Helena accompany him to the station, where they encounter Alison mourning the loss of her baby. Realizing her error in dissolving the marriage, Helena leaves Jimmy, paving the way for reconciliation between Jimmy and Alison.

Cast

• Richard Burton as Jimmy Porter
• Claire Bloom as Helena Charles
• Mary Ure as Alison Porter
• Edith Evans as Ma Tanner
• Gary Raymond as Cliff Lewis
• Glen Byam Shaw as Colonel Redfern
• Phyllis Neilson-Terry as Mrs. Redfern
• Donald Pleasence as Hurst, the market inspector
• George Devine as Doctor
• Walter Hudd as Actor
• Nigel Davenport as 1st Commercial Traveller
• Alfred Lynch as 2nd Commercial Traveller
• Toke Townley as Spectacled Man
• S. P. Kapoor as himself

Production

The film Look Back in Anger was produced by Canadian impresario Harry Saltzman, an admirer of the original play who motivated Osborne and Richardson to form Woodfall Film Productions. This project marked Woodfall's inaugural film.

Despite opposition from Saltzman, Osborne insisted that Richardson direct the film. Although Richardson had directed the stage version, he had no prior feature film directing experience. This lack of experience caused the initial financier, J. Arthur Rank, to withdraw funding.

Casting

Saltzman and Richardson secured Richard Burton for the leading role at a reduced fee of $125,000. The screenplay was expanded by Nigel Kneale, following a suggestion from critic Kenneth Tynan, which eased Osborne’s workload; Osborne sold the story rights for £2,000.

The role of the doctor was created specifically for George Devine, artistic director of the English Stage Company, while his colleague Glen Byam Shaw portrayed Colonel Redfern. Members of the English Stage Company including Nigel Davenport and Alfred Lynch appeared in supporting roles. The early jazz club scenes feature music performed by the Chris Barber jazz band.

Filming locations

The interior scenes were captured at Elstree Studios during September 1958. Establishing footage originated from Derby, while market sequences were filmed at London's Deptford market and Dalston Junction railway station. Initial market scenes took place at Romford Market in Essex, now incorporated into the London Borough of Havering.

The exterior view of the street outside Jimmy and Alison Porter's apartment was Harvist Road in London N7, a location later demolished and redeveloped by Islington Borough Council.

Box office

Upon its release, the film encountered commercial difficulties. Westminster Council granted it an X certificate, and it premiered on 29 May 1959 amid an uncommon heatwave in London. Tim Adler observed that director Tony Richardson never publicly confirmed whether the film was financially successful. Additionally, Richard Burton was regarded as somewhat too mature for the youthful character he portrayed.

Despite these challenges, Kinematograph Weekly noted that the film achieved a "better than average" box office performance within Britain in 1959.

Awards

In 1959, the film earned four BAFTA nominations: Best British Actor (Burton), Best British Film, Best British Screenplay (Nigel Kneale), and Best Film from any Source; however, it did not secure any wins. Burton also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Actor – Drama that year but was surpassed by Anthony Franciosa.

DVD release

A DVD edition maintaining the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio was issued in 2001. Later, in 2018, the British Film Institute released a Blu-ray version in 1080p resolution that included multiple special features.