THE MAN UPSTAIRS

UK, 1958, 88 minutes, Black-and-white.

Richard Attenborough, Bernard Lee, Donald Houston, Dorothy Allison, Virginia Maskell, Kenneth Griffith, Patricia Jessel, Alfred Burke, Charles Houston, Maureen Connell, Walter Hudd.

Directed by Don Chaffey.

British 1950s psychological drama. There is an ensemble British cast led by Richard Attenborough, persuasive as a man who has been involved in an accident causing death which has taken its toll on him.

The action takes place over several hours in the early hours of the morning, the man upstairs waking, nightmares, upset, interacting with various members who live in the block of flats in London, attacking one, barricading himself in his room, the police arriving with strong, unsympathetic tactics (led by Bernard Lee), contrasting with the sympathetic wife and mother downstairs, Dorothy Alison, and different reactions from members of the household, especially the righteous Kenneth Griffith. Donald Huston plays a local counsellor who does get an opportunity to talk with the man upstairs but with little effect.

The action takes place within the block of flats, sometimes going outside to see the crowds, the police holding them back, the fire brigade arriving.

Some commentators have noted that this film came out just after the American 12 Angry Men, a drama in a room where members of the jury argue the different aspects of the case. Some bloggers have noted that they found the film tedious. Others, more sympathetic, will be interested in the character and experience of the man upstairs as well as the variety of responses to him.

1. The title, the anonymity, the false name, the real name? Upstairs, the block of flats, the upstairs room, the stairs, the window, looking out to the street? Black and white photography?
2. The British ensemble cast and its effectiveness?
3. The situation, John Wilson/Peter Watson, waking, upset, in his room, there for three weeks, his bewildered reactions, the early hours of the morning? The encounter with the artist and his not helping? The encounter with Mr Pollen, hitting him and the reaction? The friendship with Mrs Barnes, helping her son with his homework? The continued trauma and bewilderment?
4. The arrival of Helen, Mrs Barnes calling her, the story of the past, the accident, her brother’s death, the court case, the man’s outburst, his having a record?
5. The gathering of those in the block, the harsh landlady, Dolly herself up, with Mr Pollen, the drinking, her harsh attitudes, cynical touches? The contrast with the elderly lady, frightened in her bed, brought downstairs? The artist, his work, his girlfriend present, trying to conceal her presence? Mr Pollen, fussy, civil defence, calling the police, backing the police? Mr Barnes arriving home after work? The range of people, the drama of their points of view, conflicts, final reactions, Mrs Barnes urging them all to go upstairs, Mr Pollen holding out, the going up the stairs?
6. The arrival of the police, police attitudes, Thompson, his straightforward attitudes, harsh, unsympathetic to mental illness, doing his job? Intervening, the police going upstairs, the man pushing the policeman and his falling over the railing, to hospital? Thompson aggravated? The role of the other police, standing guard, guns, the arrival of the superintendent, the range of discussions, his decisions, Thompson disagreeing?
7. Sanderson, his role in the borough, wanting to talk, Thompson’s lack of sympathy, the superintendent allowing him up, his attempts to talk, knocking, going in, the man’s reactions? Support with Mrs Barnes? The discussions with the superintendent?
8. The fire brigade, the police, the teargas issue and its use?
9. The light, into the room, the man upset, the suitcase on the window ledge, his pushing it over? The gun and the threats? With Sanderson and overcoming him?
10. Mrs Barnes, urging, agreements and disagreements, the decision to go upstairs, her leadership, the meeting with the police? Her being allowed to go up, knocking, talking, the three minutes time limit, the man eventually coming out?
11. The man, let downstairs, led away?
12. The film of the 1950s, the role of the police, the role of mental illness, treatment, sympathy, harsh attitudes?