Rated:

This stylish British comedy takes a sly, penetrating peek at the social climbing upper classes that use the Old School tie, social connections, well padded bank balances and the Smart Set background to further their material ambitions.

It is ruthless in its unpeeling of the dubious foibles and mannerisms of its characters, none of whom fails to have an axe to gind. It's the story of an ambitious young man of humble background who, excited by the glitter of money, business power and an entry into the fascinating world of Hunt Balls, Ascot, smart restaurants, shooting, hunting, fishin' and the rest of the trappings, lies, bluffs, smiles, cheats, loves, and smoothtalks his way to marrying the boss' daughter, and doesn't stop at murder en route.

Alan Bates, showing a previously unexplored vein of comedy, is firstclass as the dubious hero. This is a measured, confident performance that appeals even when he is behaving at his worst. Many of the top scenes are those with Denholm Elliott who, in fact, turns in the best acting of the lot.