Prudence and the Pill (1968) User Reviews

Maybe baby?

[Poseidon-3 · 4 March 2005]

Made at just about the time that the prevalent moral standards were about to take a serious beating (from which they really haven't recovered, depending on who is asked!), this bedroom farce examines the ramifications of taking (or not taking - thanks to some shenanigans amongst the characters) "the pill", focusing on five couples of varying ages and backgrounds. Niven and Kerr live a comfortably sterile existence, each having a private bedroom and each having a secret lover. Their chauffeur (Armstrong) and maid (Turner) are cozy with each other between duties. Niven's brother Coote and his wife Redfern struggle with teenage daughter Geeson's sexual blossoming under the tutelage of scamp Dundas. Evans plays a dotty Lady who is the aunt of Dundas. Some eye-catching titles get the whole thing started with whimsy and it almost flies, but it does lack that certain sparkle necessary to become a real classic. Despite the film's title and the billing, this is not Kerr's movie. The story primarily revolves around Niven, with ample time given to all the other participants. He does a decent enough job, though it's sometimes hard to imagine what his lover Demick (whose lines of dialogue almost, but not quite, can be understood) sees in him. Kerr looks smashing (sometimes resembling 1960's Joan Crawford in long shots, with similar beaded gowns and big red hair), but her character isn't particularly sympathetic or even likable. She isn't given very much to do, but does the little bit of it well. Redfern is appealing and funny in her overwrought reactions to the blunt and unflappable Geeson. (Both Geeson and Dundas have eyes that aren't exactly straight-on, so their kids don't have a chance!) Evans comes off as a little forced in her humor and oddball situations. Some of the humor is broad and some of it is subtle (and the whole film looks good), but it doesn't seem as cohesive as one might wish. Naturally, it's dated, but can be viewed as a period piece. There's no sex or nudity involved despite the continual partnering of the participants, but the subject matter had to have been daring for the time nonetheless (hence the avoidance of stating certain things outright in the film.) Certainly, today, there's little, if anything, to find offensive other than the misuse of Miss Kerr. It was insubstantial and/or tasteless roles like this (and ones that she turned down rather than play) that led her to hang up her acting shingle almost directly afterwards. Niven continued on, of course, with only the occasional significant role (and more often appearing in dreck.) Now, the film comes off as somewhat charming in spite of the "racy" issues at hand. It's worth checking out to see a decent British cast, some 1960's fashions and a few amusing bits.

Tired players stuck on a contraceptive carousel

[moonspinner55 · 1/10 · 25 July 2017]

The sexually-estranged wife of a London banker (named Hardcastle!) is suspected of infidelity by her hypocrite husband, who is cheating himself with a French lass. He replaces his spouse's contraceptive pills ("Thenol") with aspirin--to catch her in the act, I guess--an idea he gets after his sister-in-law tells of a scheme by her teenage daughter to avoid pregnancy before marriage by swapping out her own mother's pills in the same fashion. Hugh Mills adapted his smirking play for the screen, and might have been astonished to find most of the female roles filled by matronly women (married to very mature men). This is a blue-haired attempt at keeping up with the youth explosion in cinema circa 1968, but the material is highly unsuitable for its stars. Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Robert Coote (awful!) and Joyce Redman look embarrassed to be involved; Edith Evans, as the potential mother-in-law for sexually-active Judy Geeson, is the only cast member to rise above the juvenile plotting. Director Fielder Cook left the project midway after a disagreement with the producers, to be replaced by Ronald Neame. * from ****

Yack, Yack, Yack

[richardchatten · 3/10 · 8 October 2018]

In movie after movie men & women regularly mate with each other without anyone ever fussing over contraception. This time however there's so much discussion of it you'd assume that the script by Hugh Mills was based on a play rather than on a novel (that he'd originally published in 1965). It certainly lends a new meaning to the description "oral sex" since all they ever appear to do is just talk about it; until the women suddenly all give birth en masse like the women of the village of Midwich.

The reality for women of taking contraceptive pills on a daily basis was seemingly a complete mystery to Mills, since he depicts them as indistinguishable from aspirins and dispensed by chemists in glass jars rather than individually in pop-out blister packs.

Despite it's rather desperate aim to be contemporary and "with it", the backdrop of extravagent wealth and its upper class characters simply heighten the generally pre-war feel of the thing.

How could anyone mistake a birth control pill for an aspirin or vitamin?!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 11 September 2016]

The main idea behind "Prudence and the Pill" is one that doesn't make sense to me. While birth control pills might have looked VERY different in the UK in the 1960s, all the ones I've seen look absolutely nothing like aspirins or vitamins--which are much, much larger. So how could people be replacing another person's birth control pills with aspirins without anyone realizing it?

This 1960s sex comedy stars Deborah Kerr and David Niven...both of which made quite a few sophisticated sex comedies in the 1950s and 60s (such as the horrible CASINO ROYALE, BEDTIME STORY and THE GRASS IS GREENER). In this film, Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle have an open marriage and both have their lovers. In addition, Mrs. Hardcastle's niece (Judy Geeson) is sleeping with her boyfriend. However, someone is messing with these ladies' birth control pills and soon complications ensue.

Like most of the sex comedies of the era, this film talks a lot about sex (or, more rightly, INSINUATING a lot about sex) without really showing or saying much at all. Racy stuff for the time...very tame stuff when seen today. So, while it portrays folks who have affairs and premarital sex, it's done with 60s sensibilities--being both extremely broad-minded AND old fashioned at the same time.

So is this any good and is it worth seeing? Well, at least for me, no especially. I might have enjoyed it had it just been more interesting, made more sense or made me laugh. Plus, and I guess this makes me sound very prudish, but I thought the Hardcastles were a pathetic couple...and I really didn't care one bit about what happened with them. What was a kooky sex romp back in the day now just seems dated and sub-par despite the big-name stars in it.

Great Movie, pity it is not for sale!

[amrsstorres · 10/10 · 21 June 2004]

I found this one of the most hilarious movies, full of subtle, elegant, classy and witty British humour. A really complicated argument develops itself very intelligently and in a smooth way through the film. Deborah Kerr and David Niven, as well as the rest of the cast, display their professionalism and talent at its best in this movie and consolidates their status as Stars in the whole sense of the word. It shows how a film can be witty and sexual without having to resort to the worn-out trick of out-of-context nudity, and it should be an example for twenty first century film makers. The acting is superb as it is the story. The copyright owners Thoroughly enjoyable, although due to the story it must be kept rated as it is.

One big outbreak of pregnancy

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 18 October 2020]

Once again David Niven who narrates as well as stars in Prudence And The Pill manages to elevate a mediocre film and make it somewhat entertaining. The stories are told in flashback as seen through Niven's eyes.

The British have a wonderful way of handling infidelity in such a civilized way. By switching some birth control pills for aspirin in David Niven's medicine cabinet a lot of women become pregnant including Deborah Kerr, Niven's wife and not by him. But that's OK because Niven has himself a French mistress in Irina Demick. And his niece Judy Geeson is also pregnant as is theirmaid courtesy of the chauffeur.

This may seem sophisticated to some, but quite frankly it was boring most of the time. Best scene in the film is dotty old Edith Evans walking across a racetrack during an auto race. She's an aristocrat you know and those drivers wouldn't dare do harm to her person.

A lot of claptrap talk and less than meets the eye.

Good movie!

[baqualls · 16 November 2004]

This movie is witty and funny. It also shows the changing morals in mainstream society during the 1960's. It's a good example of dry, witty British humor. If you enjoy "The Importance of being Earnest," you might enjoy this film, although the settings are in different centuries. It's very funny that the birth control pills keep getting switched for aspirin. Also, the surprise pregnancies of a woman with a teenage daughter and of the daughter, as well. It's also funny how a married couple is so estranged that they would prefer to marry others. I recommend this film. If you like British humor, you'll enjoy this film. David Niven and Deborah Kerr make funny adversaries, even though they are husband and wife.

Sex and prudery in jolly old England

[helpless_dancer · 1/10 · 20 January 2002]

Had I known this junk was populated with a bunch of second rate Brit players I would have run for the hills. Extremely dull fare with lots of shrill, rapid talking limey accents and not a whole lot of anything else. David Niven never made a decent film his whole career, and this bilge was right down on the bottom. Everyone involved with this mess should have taken a sleeping pill and gone to bed.

Rollicking good sex farce without the sex

[rlcsljo · 8/10 · 10 March 2000]

This movie is a lot of fun and is about the best movie about sex that didnt show any sex. All the acting is superb and you will definitely laugh.This movie slightly predated the "real" sexual revolution and those of you that like your sex comedies a little more "bare" may be a bit disappointed for its lack of nudity, but not for its wit and humor!

Full of Spirit.

[acnmorrison · 10/10 · 23 November 2003]

In the 1960's films often had opening credits where the painters type/artists could present an attractive package(Intolerable Cruelty{2003} reminded me of this).This was one and with good set designs this film gave a picture of background colour and warmth. This film is unreasonably remembered as poor but golden moments are Edith Evans walking across a motor racing track during a race.Then there was David Niven purchasing Aspirin at Timothy Whites as if purchasing something evil.The number of couples at the end gave the story depth only Deborah Kerr is disappointing but her part is not sympathetic.A welcome increase in the birth rate ended the film.

Cute Movie

[karenchurn · 12 October 2011]

I remember seeing this movie as a teen in the 80s, but had forgotten all of the particulars except for the fact that Deborah Kerr looked absolutely stunning and wore some great clothes. I had an opportunity to see it again recently and enjoyed the ride. This wasn't a Deborah Kerr film per se, but rather, an ensemble. David Niven was absolutely hysterical in the film. Some of the funniest scenes were of him up to shenanigans. The scene in the drug store getting aspirin was absolutely classic. Deborah Kerr, the reason I wanted to watch this movie, wasn't her usual genteel self, but I liked seeing her b!tchy side and the verbal sparring that went on between her and David Niven. All of the other characters were fun as well. This is a fun 60s romp with very little depth, but was entertaining enough to hold my interest until the end.

Hilarious and adorable

[HotToastyRag · 9/10 · 22 February 2018]

In case you have any doubt as to the meaning of the title, I'll put you out of your misery: Prudence and the Pill is about the birth control pill. It's a hilarious British comedy starring David Niven and Deborah Kerr that proves you can get pregnant even if you think you're too old, and even if you think you're on the pill.

In the 60s, it wasn't as commonplace for women to be on the birth control pill as it is today-or was it? As David Niven's maid's boyfriend hides birth control pills in her vitamin bottle-so as to not insult her by suggesting she prevent a pregnancy-the maid switches her vitamins, which are really birth control pills, with Deborah Kerr's birth control pills, which are really just vitamins. Why are they vitamins? Because David and Deborah have a marriage in name only; they each have extramarital affairs, and in order to get a divorce and marry his mistress, David wants to prove his wife's infidelity. He switches her pills with vitamins-what's a better proof of infidelity than a pregnancy?

The plot is fast-paced and a little complicated, but if I didn't get confused, you won't either. The humor is very British, but I found it absolutely hilarious. If you like British comedies, you'll absolutely love this one. It's a sex comedy with references rather than raunchiness, so it's classy and funny and sexy all at the same time-just like David Niven! I love him anyway, so I was a little predisposed to like this movie, and it shows off his comedic talents wonderfully. Also, I know Deborah Kerr was more famous for her meaty dramatic roles, I actually like her better when she's being funny! Give this one a try and see which side of her you prefer.

Clever and funny FARCE

[mls4182 · 9/10 · 20 June 2021]

This silly romp is quite entertaining and even adorable. Its a lot of fun.

I am not the type of person who takes marriage and infidelity lightly. My attitude us be single or be married. Well this IS a farce and it does show how the complications that arise from sneaking around make it hardly worth the trouble.

One of David Niven's best. Up there with "The Statue" and "The Impossible Years

[Bernie4444 · 10/10 · 6 June 2011]

David Niven has more great movies than you can shake a stick at. Unfortunately some of his best movies are virtually impossible to obtain. I was lucky to get a copy of this film off the cable. Hopefully it will be on DVD soon. "The Impossible Years" is available on video. "The Statue" has not shown up even on cable.

One of the surprising things about "Prudence and the Pill" is the number of actors that you will recognize from that era. You may recognize the niece Geraldine Hardcastle played by Judy Geeson of " To Sir with Love 2 (1996) (TV)" fame. I will not go through the list of actors. However you get the idea.

The plot is quite simple and you can guess the outcome. The real worth is in the acting and the details. Not everything goes quite as expected. Half of the women in the village are taking vitamins that mysteriously look like BC pills. And many are taking BC pills that mysteriously look like aspirin. Do not let this film give you any ideas.

Fun!

[kellielulu · 8/10 · 6 December 2022]

This movie is a time capsule. It couldn't be made much before or after the late sixties or very early seventies. The story centers on several couples that despite all taking the pill each end up with babies! The pills are not faulty but changed out so they end up expecting one at a time. It's the upper crust of British society with some extra marital affairs, a couple of very young couples and one couple having a second child twenty years after the first child. I can't see this movie being made almost anywhere else. It's a delightfully entertaining and funny movie. I caught it as a teen myself watch the late late movie when regular channels did such things.

A cast lead by Deborah Kerr and David Niven it's just a pleasure movie. Kick back and enjoy.

British screwball comedy about getting away with new relationships when old ones grow contraceptive

[clanciai · 9/10 · 3 September 2021]

This is a very underrated comedy the greatest credit of which is the brilliant dialogue, chiefly delivered by David Niven and Deborah Kerr together. Just to listen to these conversations and this dialogue is a supreme pleasure in itself, and then it doesn't matter that the plot gets somewhat confused involving a bit too many mistresses and lovers - at one point Deborah Kerr even asks her husband, David Niven, not to disturb her from following the plot, while he is not the only one to do so. The only thing you miss in this farce is Peter Sellers, but he might have ruined the whole thing by exaggerations, while the thing here is that everyone keeps perfectly serious, even in their outbursts of temper. Robert Coote is another splendid asset as always, and Irina Demick is just perfectly delightful. The music is also well contrived, contrasting silly accompaniments with some romantic stuff as well. This is great theatre and as enjoyable as any magnificent theatre performance, while the real jewel in the crown of this mess is Dame Edith Evans - as she enters in the middle of the film as an aunt too good and perfect to be true, the entire film lifts to hilarious heights, and she makes the greatest treats of every scene in which she gets anything to say. In brief, this is great comedy at the highest level.