CinemaCloud
Comedy

The Million Pound Note

"Great fun... you can bank on it!"

User Score76 votes
68%6.8/10
Release1954
Runtime1H 30M
LanguageItalian
StatusReleased

Synopsis

An impoverished American sailor is fortunate enough to be passing the house of two rich gentlemen who have conceived the crazy idea of distributing a note worth one million pounds. The sailor finds that whenever he tries to use the note to buy something, people treat him like a king and let him have whatever he likes for free. Ultimately, the money proves to be more troublesome than it is worth when it almost costs him his dignity and the woman he loves.

Principal Cast8

Full Cast & Crew (56)

Media7

Backdrops

The Million Pound Note backdrop 1
The Million Pound Note backdrop 2

Posters

The Million Pound Note poster 1
The Million Pound Note poster 2
The Million Pound Note poster 3
The Million Pound Note poster 4
The Million Pound Note poster 5

Director

Ronald Neame

Ronald Neame

Director →

Trailer

Certification

PG

Keywords

moneyamericanpenniless

Where to Watch

Stream

Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon ChannelShout! Factory Amazon Channel

Rent

Amazon VideoAmazon Video

Buy

Amazon VideoAmazon Video

External Links

Reviews1

CinemaSerf7/10

When two wealthy old buzzards - Ronald Squire and Wilfrid Hyde-White espy the poverty stricken American "Adams" (Gregory Peck) they invite him into their home and give him an envelope. He is promised it contains money and so he promptly sits down to a much needed meal. When payment is duly demanded, he reveals the contents of the letter. A £1,000,000 pound note. It's real, but nobody can cash it. Nobody has the change. Indeed, quite quickly he discovers that the very sight of the thing is sufficient to open doors of credit at just about everywhere in London. A swanky hotel, fine tailoring and dining all beckon. High society welcomes him with open arms and that might even provide him with an opportunity to court the otherwise inaccessible "Portia" (Jane Griffiths), thd daughter of the haughty "Duchess of Cromarty" (Joyce Grenfell). His deal with his two sponsors, so to speak, is that he must keep the note intact for one month and if he does, well there's a real glittering prize awaiting him. It's all going really rather well but he's overlooked one small thing. The previous owner of his hotel suite - the "Duke of Frognal" (AE Matthews) was none to pleased about being relegated to lesser accommodations, and so enlists the help of an housemaid to purloin said banknote. When "Adams" and his loyal, mute, retainer cannot present it to their creditors, well let's just say all the goodwill evaporates and things all start to look distinctly dodgy! This is quite a cheery and enjoyable adaptation of the Mark Twain story that sees Peck on jovial form amidst a fine cast of British character actors. The narrative takes an unswerving, but light-hearted, swipe at the hypocrisy and venality of society - at all levels as well as at the double standards that prevail across the board when those who have money (or are perceived to) don't really need it and those who are desperate for the stuff can't get near enough to it to buy basic essentials. The shallowness of many of these characters is writ large and entertainingly and though I did find the denouement a bit rushed, I did rather enjoy the irony of the conclusion. Peck looks like he enjoyed making this, as did the permanently sozzled Matthews and the on-form Grenfell and I did quite enjoy watching it.

Dec 29, 2024

Similar Movies

Recommended

Countries:United Kingdom
Production:The Rank Organisation