Joseph Losey Collection

Joseph Losey was born in the United States in an upper middle class family, Losey moved to England, lived in London, Paris, Venice. In fact, his political engagement – he was communist – lead him to choose exile, in the Fifties, during the McCarthy Era. And it is on this side of the Atlantic where his film career at long last shifted into high gear, directing his most outstanding films such as: “Eva” in 1962, with Jeanne Moreau, THE SERVANT in 1963, with Dirk Bogarde, or “The Go-Between” that won the 1971 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Among his work topics, many of them deal with social issues such as: Women’s liberation, persecution of the Jews duration the Second World War, social standing issues. KING AND COUNTRY: During World War I, a young soldier, Hamp, deserts his post, attempting to escape the ever-present sound of guns and walk home. Captain Hargreaves, his lawyer must defend Hamp before the army tribunal, for whom the crime of desertion carries a nasty stigma and the penalty of execution. Initially, Hargreaves approaches Hamp’s case with disdain; however, upon learning that Hamp volunteered for duty on a dare, that he is the sole survivor of his unit, and that his wife has been unfaithful in his absence his efforts on Hamp’s behalf become more impassioned and earnest… THE CRIMINAL: Johnny Bannion has spent the last three years in prison devising the biggest robbery of his career. Out of prison, he puts his plans into action. Burying he money in a field, Bannion is arrested before he has a chance to reveal its whereabouts to his gang. They spring him from jail all right, but make the fatal mistake of shooting him before he’s given them the full story… Directed by American expatriate Joseph Losey, the British THE CRIMINAL is a gloom-wallow elevated by superb performances. Appearing as the greedy clerk in Concrete Jungle is Sam Wanameker, who like Joseph Losey fled to England as a result of the Hollywood blacklist. THE SERVANT: Dirk Bogarde plays Barrett, a seductive and subtle manservant hired by flamboyant playboy Tony (James Fox) to manage of his newly established household. But Barrett's awe-inspiring efficiency gives way to a suspicious and insidious control, where the roles of master and servant are subtlety reversed.