The Ladykillers
Seen it?1955 | 91 min | Comedy, Crime
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Family Plot, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Darkly funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1955: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 91 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 2 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best British Actress, British Academy Film Awards: Best British Screenplay. Also nominated for 1 Oscar and 2 more BAFTAs.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 100K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick
- Alec GuinnessProfessor Marcus
- Cecil ParkerClaude, alias 'Major Courtney'
- Herbert LomLouis, alias 'Mr. Harvey'
- Peter SellersHarry, alias 'Mr. Robinson'
- Danny Green'One-Round', alias 'Mr. Lawson'
- Katie JohnsonMrs. Wilberforce
- Jack WarnerThe Superintendent
- Philip StaintonThe Sergeant
- Frankie HowerdThe Barrow Boy
- Madge BrindleyLarge Lady (uncredited)