Alfie (1966)

2007 #84
Lewis Gilbert | 109 mins | DVD | 15 / PG

AlfieMichael Caine stars as the eponymous London lothario in this ’60s sex-based comedy/drama, which helped bring about a change in British abortion law thanks to its chilling final act.

If you’re only familiar with the Jude Law-starring remake, most of the original might come as a shock to you — whereas the 2004 version was pretty light and amusing, this is actually a more serious affair. There is humour, but it’s tinged with a sad awareness of how deluded and misogynistic Alfie is; horribly so now, but bad even for his time.

This one may be more complex and worthy but, sacrilegious as it may be, I’d rather watch the remake.

4 out of 5

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