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IMDb > The Horse's Mouth (1958)

The Horse's Mouth (1958) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   1,452 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Joyce Cary (novel)
Alec Guinness (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Horse's Mouth on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 November 1958 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Smart Alec
Plot:
A somewhat vulgar but dedicated painter searches for the perfect realization of his artistic vision, much to the chagrin of others. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations more
User Reviews:
a movie that improved after a second time more (28 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Alec Guinness ... Gulley Jimson
Kay Walsh ... Dee Coker
Renee Houston ... Sara Monday
Mike Morgan ... Nosey
Robert Coote ... Sir William Beeder
Arthur Macrae ... A.W. Alabaster
Veronica Turleigh ... Lady Beeder
Michael Gough ... Abel
Reginald Beckwith ... Capt. Jones
Ernest Thesiger ... Hickson
Gillian Vaughan ... Lollie
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Additional Details

Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Mike Morgan died ten days before the end of shooting. Some of his lines were dubbed by an unknown actor in post-production. more
Quotes:
Gulley Jimson: Go away. Scram. Tie lead weights to your feet, fireworks in your hair, kiss your mother goodbye and jump in the river. I don't know you. I don't want to know you. Buzz off! Explode! more
Movie Connections:
References Poruchik Kizhe (1934) more
Soundtrack:
LIEUTENANT KIJE more

FAQ

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15 out of 15 people found the following review useful.
a movie that improved after a second time, 1 July 2005
9/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

Although most Americans have little knowledge of his work other than Star Wars, Alec Guinness produced an amazing body of work--particularly in the 1940s-1950s--ranging from dramas to quirky comedies. I particularly love his comedies, as they are so well-done and seem so natural and real on the screen--far different from the usual fare from Hollywood.

I first saw this movie when I was about 13 or so, and didn't appreciate it very much. Years later, when I became fascinated with Guinness' comedies, I decided to give it another chance. And boy am I glad I did!! The movie concerns the life of an extremely edgy and rather nasty artist. Guinness really plays this up and creates one of the quirkiest and funniest characters I have ever seen. In essence, the man is a rascal that is driven to create his art regardless of what it takes to get it done! What I missed the first time I saw the film were the extremely catchy music and the amazing art created for this movie. I am not the biggest fan of modern art, but the second time i saw the movie I really liked most of the works done for the movie--it just was a darn shame that much of it was destroyed in the course of the movie! In addition to music and art, the performances throughout of all the actors was nearly perfect.

Finally, the version of the movie I saw last was from the Criterion Collection. Get this version!!!! It had so much wonderful background information about the actual art, the making of the movie, and interesting background information--such as how they got the musical score WITHOUT having to pay royalties and the incredibly sad tale of a magnificent performance by a young supporting actor that did not live to see the finished product.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Horse's Mouth (1958)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How did Mike Morgan die? stevem-26
DVD cover art zalkus
Who was the artist Jimson is based on? Meryllevykryza
Prints of the paintings? sissoed
Movies about artists latesnake
Lt. Kije nanonta
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