Another of those time-capsules the English have a knack of getting right. In 1950 the country was slowly getting back on its feet and needed to export to earn foreign currency. A small family owned business enjoys an uneasy workers v management co-existence and Miles (who had clearly been frightened by Orson Welles, and undertook to write, produce, and take a leading role without first ensuring he was a genius) got off with a fatal flaw by having professional hot-head and trouble-maker Geoffrey Keen, a worker who turned up consistently late and for an encore left a obscene and personal anonymous comment directed at the owner in the Suggestion Box. It was obvious that man was a waste of space and hadn't a leg to stand on yet when he was fired - as workers could be on the spot in 1950 - instead of rejoicing as normal people would his fellow workers downed tools. This led the owner to suggest the workers have a go at running the factory themselves and they take him up on it. The premise was interesting but you have to get past the fatal flaw in order to appreciate it. The film is studded with excellent acting and holds up well.
Review of Chance of a Lifetime
