Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Nothing But the Best

  • 19641964
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
356
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Nothing But the Best (1964)
  • Comedy
Success has James Brewster's name written all over it, and he also has his heart set on his boss' daughter. A con artist hires him to help out on a bank scheme, but then again, James will do... Read allSuccess has James Brewster's name written all over it, and he also has his heart set on his boss' daughter. A con artist hires him to help out on a bank scheme, but then again, James will do anything to get rich and be the most successful businessman in Britian, even if it means ... Read allSuccess has James Brewster's name written all over it, and he also has his heart set on his boss' daughter. A con artist hires him to help out on a bank scheme, but then again, James will do anything to get rich and be the most successful businessman in Britian, even if it means murder.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
356
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Clive Donner
  • Writers
    • Frederic Raphael(screenplay)
    • Stanley Ellin(based on a short story by)
  • Stars
    • Alan Bates
    • Denholm Elliott
    • Harry Andrews
Top credits
  • Director
    • Clive Donner
  • Writers
    • Frederic Raphael(screenplay)
    • Stanley Ellin(based on a short story by)
  • Stars
    • Alan Bates
    • Denholm Elliott
    • Harry Andrews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 12User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Photos10

    Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Alan Bates in Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Alan Bates and Millicent Martin in Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Alan Bates in Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Alan Bates and Millicent Martin in Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Alan Bates and Godfrey Quigley in Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Nothing But the Best (1964)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alan Bates
    Alan Bates
    • Jimmy Brewsteras Jimmy Brewster
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Charlie Princeas Charlie Prince
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • Mr. Hortonas Mr. Horton
    Millicent Martin
    Millicent Martin
    • Annas Ann…
    Pauline Delaney
    Pauline Delaney
    • Mrs. Marchas Mrs. March
    Godfrey Quigley
    Godfrey Quigley
    • Coatesas Coates
    Alison Leggatt
    Alison Leggatt
    • Mrs. Brewsteras Mrs. Brewster
    Lucinda Curtis
    Lucinda Curtis
    • Nadineas Nadine
    Nigel Stock
    Nigel Stock
    • Ferrisas Ferris
    James Villiers
    James Villiers
    • Hughas Hugh
    Drewe Henley
    Drewe Henley
    • Denisas Denis
    Avice Landone
    Avice Landone
    • Mrs. Hortonas Mrs. Horton
    • (as Avice Landon)
    Ernest Clark
    Ernest Clark
    • Robertsas Roberts
    William Rushton
    • Gerryas Gerry
    Peter Madden
    Peter Madden
    • Ex-Politicianas Ex-Politician
    Robert Bruce
    Robert Bruce
    • Basilas Basil
    Anneke Wills
    Anneke Wills
    • Girlas Girl
    • (as Annika Wills)
    Alan Rothwell
    Alan Rothwell
    • Young Manas Young Man
    • Director
      • Clive Donner
    • Writers
      • Frederic Raphael(screenplay)
      • Stanley Ellin(based on a short story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    North to Alaska
    6.9
    North to Alaska
    Out of the Past
    8.0
    Out of the Past
    The Guest
    7.1
    The Guest
    I'm a Stranger
    6.0
    I'm a Stranger
    Find the Lady
    5.9
    Find the Lady
    Playing at Love
    7.5
    Playing at Love
    Quartet
    6.2
    Quartet
    Chase a Crooked Shadow
    7.0
    Chase a Crooked Shadow
    Libel
    7.1
    Libel
    A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
    6.8
    A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
    Bertie and Elizabeth
    7.1
    Bertie and Elizabeth
    Inside Out
    6.2
    Inside Out

    Storyline

    Edit
    Success has James Brewster's name written all over it, and he also has his heart set on his boss' daughter. A con artist hires him to help out on a bank scheme, but then again, James will do anything to get rich and be the most successful businessman in Britian, even if it means murder.
    • con artist
    • money
    • boss
    • satire
    • based on short story
    • 1 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Make Room at the Top for Nothing But The Best!
    • Genre
      • Comedy
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      George Waring replaced James Grout.
    • Quotes

      Gerry: Is Rembrandt hip or square this week?

    • Crazy credits
      Closing credits epilogue: ? THE END IS A PHRASE WHICH USUALLY CLOSES OTHER PEOPLES STORIES: IT NEVER APPLIES TO ONES OWN
    • Soundtracks
      Title Song
      (Nothing But The Best)

      Sung by Millicent Martin

      To Music by Ron Grainer and Lyrics by Frederic Raphael

    User reviews12

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Air, Hair, Lair. Real or a Sexton Blake?
    A pretty superb black comedy with award winning screenplay by American born Frederick Raphael, distinguished screenwriter. A good story, great performances and excellent production. And, more than 50 years later, still fresh. Popular music, fashions, decor, language, behaviour -so much has changed in 50 years. But a lot remains unchanged: money and class to name but two.

    Brewster (Alan Bates) is an exceptional young man. Of lower middle class background he can maintain a habitually pleasant expression, be charming and humorous, is very quick-witted, opportunistic, coldly calculating , completely unscrupulous and will do anything necessary to feed an almost unlimited ambition - without ever losing his habitual pleasant expression. Brewster is determined to climb the social ladder but the exclusive club of the upper class and very wealthy keeps its doors firmly shut to him and his like. However a happy chance meeting suggests a scheme to breach the club's defences. One of its members (Mr Prince - Denholm Elliot), thoroughly-disgraced son, disowned by his family, can be persuaded, for money, to train Brewster in the ways of his class: how to dress, how to speak, how to behave. And quick learner, Brewster turns out to be. But Brewster is no snob and is always practical: while it's his boss's daughter he plans to wed, he nevertheless finds it advantageous to retain a place in his middle-aged landlady's heart and bed.

    But it is the screenplay which received the film's single award and the dialogue is at its smartest as Prince instructs imposter Brewster in the ways of the class he aspires to join. It's not just their opinions but the different manner with which each must be delivered. Faking an Oxbridge background, how to behave when watching college rowing (be ostentatiously disparaging as if an older and better rower). Suitable opinions (circa 1963) on foreigners: Americans - "let us down badly over Suez". Black people "make fine cricketers". The commandments seem to include: be brief, never bore, never be overly earnest, understate, don't be adventurous.

    This is Frederick Raphaels satire and take on the British upper classes, that a clever fake can remain under all circumstances undetected. I think the evidence is that their antennae are especially finely tuned for the avoidance of just such unfortunate marriages. However history suggests that the titled owner of the grand London estate agents auctioneers (Harry Andrews) where Brewster works, prizes business acumen over actual social background. Over time, with good schooling for the next generation, social class can be retained. But without money neither a growing financial empire nor a dynasty is possible.

    Some great moments as when Brewster's pleasant expression is tested to its limits when a familiar large case arrives at his shortly be in-laws grand house, and falls from a considerable height. Bates and Denholm Elliot are both superb. A great British film.

    Until Talking Pictures TV came on the scene and revived some of these quality films, I would have never realised the cinema talent Britain had. So badly are we let down by the broadcasters
    helpful•3
    0
    • trimmerb1234
    • Dec 7, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 13, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Man geht wieder über Leichen
    • Filming locations
      • Richmond, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Domino Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

    Related news

    "Once I had it all. Now I just have everything": Nicolas Roeg Remembered
    Dec 10MUBI
    Here’s Where to See Cabaret in Los Angeles
    Sep 15backstage.com

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Nothing But the Best (1964)
    Top Gap
    What is the English language plot outline for Nothing But the Best (1964)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.