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The Importance of Being Earnest

"They don't come any wilder than Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners, morals and morality!"

1952-06-02 Comedy 1hr 35m

Algernon Moncrieff is surprised to discover that his affluent friend -- whom he knows as "Ernest" -- is actually named Jack Worthing. Jack fabricated his alter ego in order to escape his country estate where he takes care of his charge, Cecily Cardew. Cecily believes that Ernest is Jack's wayward brother and is keen on his raffish lifestyle. Algernon, seeing an opportunity, assumes Ernest's identity and sneaks off to woo Cecily.

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The Importance of Being Earnest
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Storyline

Algernon Moncrieff is surprised to discover that his affluent friend -- whom he knows as "Ernest" -- is actually named Jack Worthing. Jack fabricated his alter ego in order to escape his country estate where he takes care of his charge, Cecily Cardew. Cecily believes that Ernest is Jack's wayward brother and is keen on his raffish lifestyle. Algernon, seeing an opportunity, assumes Ernest's identity and sneaks off to woo Cecily.

  • Released
    1952-06-02
  • Revenue
    n/a
  • Budget
    n/a
  • Runtime
    1hr 35m
  • Genre
    Comedy
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English
  • imdb-logo
    7.4
  • Production
    Javelin Films, British Film-Makers, J. Arthur Rank Organisation

Crew

Anthony Asquith
Director
Anthony Asquith
Screenplay
Teddy Baird
Producer
Keywords:
love triangle marriage mistaken identity etiquette based on play or musical

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Cast

Michael Redgrave

Michael Redgrave
Ernest Worthing
Michael Denison

Michael Denison
Algernon Moncrieff
Edith Evans

Edith Evans
Lady Bracknell
Joan Greenwood

Joan Greenwood
Gwendolen Fairfax
Dorothy Tutin

Dorothy Tutin
Cecily Cardew
Margaret Rutherford

Margaret Rutherford
Miss Prism
Miles Malleson

Miles Malleson
Canon Chasuble
Richard Wattis

Richard Wattis
Seton
Walter Hudd

Walter Hudd
Lane
Aubrey Mather

Aubrey Mather
Merriman
Ivor Barnard

Ivor Barnard
Conductor (Uncredited)

Videos and Photos

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The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest
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The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest

Movie Reviews

Reviews for The Importance of Being Earnest
reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2022-09-09

There's little point in outlining the plot here - it's not what the film is about. It is the combination of characterisations and the wonder... read more

There's little point in outlining the plot here - it's not what the film is about. It is the combination of characterisations and the wonderfully witty writing of Oscar Wilde that make this a thoroughly enjoyable film to watch. It makes no bones about it's theatrical origins - even featuring a curtain at the start and the finish, and that sets us up for a cracker of a comedy that swipes at snobbery, pomposity, crass stupidity, deception and offers us a tour de force effort from the inimitable Dame Edith Evans ("Lady Bracknell"). Anthony Asquith has created a delightfully honest interpretation of the play - the dialogue is pithy and quickly paced, few lines are wasted and the talents of Michael Redgrave, Michael Denison, Dorothy Tutin, the perfectly cast Joan Greenwood as "Gwendoline" and Margaret Rutherford as the prim "Miss Prism" combine to give us a genuinely laugh-out-loud series of scenarios that are a joy to behold. It's colourfully set, the costumes a delight (though, I felt seriously gaudy at times!) and the comically timed mannerisms, gestures and charisma of the performers is great, too. It is rare for a piece of theatrical comedy to transfer so effortlessly to the big screen, but here it all looks so very natural...

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by CinemaSerf

There's little point in outlining the plot here - it's not what the film is about. It is the combination of characterisations and the wonderfully witty writing of Oscar Wilde that make this a thoroughly enjoyable film to watch. It makes no ...

reviewer avatar

A Review by Geronimo1967 7

Written by Geronimo1967 on 2022-09-09

There's little point in outlining the plot here - it's not what the film is about. It is the combination of characterisations and the wonderfully witty writing of Oscar Wilde that make this a thorough...

read more