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The Fallen Idol (1948)

★ 7.6Approved95 minDirector: Carol Reed

1948 film by Carol Reed

The Fallen Idol (also known as The Lost Illusion) is a 1948 British mystery thriller film directed by Carol Reed, and starring Ralph Richardson, Bobby Henrey, Michèle Morgan, and Denis O'Dea. Its plot follows the young son of a diplomat in London, who comes to suspect that his family's butler, whom he idolises, has committed a murder. It is based on the 1936 short story "The Basement Room", by Graham Greene.

The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director (Carol Reed) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Graham Greene), and won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Fallen Idol about?
The Fallen Idol (1948) — Philippe, an ambassador's son and good friend of Baines, major domo of the embassy, is confused by the complexities and evasions of adult life. He tries to keep secrets but ends up telling them. He lies to protect his friends, even though he knows he should tell the truth. Confus
Is The Fallen Idol based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Fallen Idol scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.