The Only feature film about cricket!
Directed by the son of one prime minister, Herbert Asquith, ‘The Final Test’ was one of the favourite films of another, Harold Wilson. It is also one of the best British films made about sport.
The setting is the final test in a series between England and Australia. England’s ageing hero (Jack Warner) is preparing to play what will be his last innings.
He naturally wants his son (Ray Jackson) to watch him, but Jackson thinks cricket is nothing compared to poetry and prefers to interview England’s premier eccentric poet (Robert Morley).
And what does Morley want to do most of all? Why, watch Jack Warner play his final innings.
And so the wheel comes full circle, and along the way Jackson learns not to look down his nose at cricket, Warner finds renewed self-respect and a bride, and an American senator (Stanley Maxtead) comes to love – if not quite understand – the noble game!
As if that were not enough, as well as the purring velvet voice of John Arlott to delight the ears, on view are Len Hutton, Denis Compton, Alec Bedser, Godfrey Evans, Jim Laker and Cyril Washbrook.
Directed by
Anthony Asquith
Writing credits
Terence Rattigan
Cast (in credits order)
Jack Warner .... Sam Palmer
Robert Morley .... Alexander Whitehead
Brenda Bruce .... Cora
Ray Jackson .... Reggie Palmer
George Relph .... Syd Thompson
Adrianne Allen .... Aunt Ethel
Stanley Maxted .... Senator
Joan Swinstead .... Miss Fanshawe
Richard Bebb .... Frank Weller
Valentine Dyall .... Man in Black
Len Hutton .... Frank Jarvis
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alec Bedser .... Cricket Player
Denis Compton .... Cricket Player
Godfrey Evans .... Cricket Player
John Glyn-Jones .... Mr. Willis
Jim Laker .... Cricketer
Cyril Washbrook .... Cricket Player
Fred Griffiths .... Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Roddy Hughes .... Mr. Harborne (uncredited)
Duncan Lamont .... Unpleasant Pub Customer (uncredited)
Johnnie Schofield .... Railway Porter (uncredited)
Richard Wattis .... Cricket Fan in the Stand. (uncredited)
Audrey White .... (uncredited)
Ben Williams .... Ticket Collector (uncredited)
Runtime: 88 min
Country: UK
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Sound Mix: Mono
Certification: USA:Approved / UK:U
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