Films and Filming – Sept 1963
…moral standards … THE SERVANT
Joseph Losey’s new work also deals with the master-servant relationship. Tony (James Fox) a fairly wealthy young man buys a large, dilapidated London house, and engages a personal manservant Barrett (Dirk Bogarde). The latter plays on his master’s weaknesses, pandering to all his wants, till he becomes an indispensable part of Tony’s life. Slowly Barrett exerts his forceful influence over Tony, to such an extent that when Tony throws Barrett out he disintegrates to such an extent that in despair he re-engages Barrett. But now their positions are reversed, with Barrett the complete master and the house in chaos as a result of the servant’s perversions.
