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The Fallen Idol 
Theatrical poster Directed by
Carol Reed Produced by Carol Reed
Philip Brandon (associate producer) Written by
Graham Greene (screenplay & story)
additional dialogue: Lesley Storm
William Templeton Starring
Ralph Richardson Bobby Henrey Michèle Morgan Denis O'Dea Music by
William Alwyn Cinematography
Georges Périnal Editing by Oswald Hafenrichter Studio
London Film Productions Distributed by British Lion Film Corporation (UK)
Selznick Releasing Organization (USA) Release
date(s) 30 September 1948 (UK)
15 November 1949 (NYC)
1954 (USA, re-release) Running time 95 min Country United Kingdom Language
English The Fallen Idol (also known as The Lost Illusion) is a 1948 film directed by Carol Reed and based on the short story The Basement Room, by Graham Greene. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Direction and Best Adapted Screenplay, and won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.
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The film is told through the naive eyes of a diplomat's young son, Phillipe, who idolises his best friend, the diplomat's butler Baines. Baines has constructed a heroic persona, full of exotic adventures, that fascinates the boy. In reality, the servant is stuck in a loveless marriage, while dreaming of happiness with a younger woman (whom he describes to Phillipe as his niece). After Baines has an argument with his jealous wife, she falls from a landing to her death. Although her fall was in fact an accident, Phillipe believes that he has seen Baines deliberately murder her, and the boy's attempts to protect Baines when the police investigate almost lead to the butler's arrest.
Michèle Morgan and Ralph Richardson
