''Man at the Top'' is a 1973 British drama film directed by Mike Vardy and starring

Kenneth Haigh Kenneth William Michael Haigh (25 March 1931 – 4 February 2018) was an English actor. He first came to public recognition for playing the role of Jimmy Porter in the play ''Look Back in Anger'' in 1956 opposite Mary Ure in London's West End ...

, spun off from the television series '' Man at the Top'', which itself was inspired by the 1959 film '' Room at the Top'' and its 1965 sequel ''

Life at the Top ''Life At The Top'' is the third novel by the English author John Braine, first published in the UK by Eyre & Spottiswoode Eyre & Spottiswoode was the London-based printing firm that was the King's Printer, and subsequently, a publisher prior ...

''.

Plot

Joe Lampton is promoted to managing director of a pharmaceutical company, and becomes involved with Lord Ackerman, the powerful chairman, who is also his father-in-law. But Joe makes a shocking discovery: his predecessor committed suicide because of his involvement in a drug that left 1,000 African women sterile. Joe threatens to reveal all to the press, while Lord Ackerman seeks to persuade him otherwise, by offering him promotion to Chief Executive.

Cast

as Joe Lampton *

Nanette Newman Nanette Newman (born 29 May 1934) is an English actress and author. She appeared in nine films directed by her husband Bryan Forbes, including ''Séance on a Wet Afternoon'' (1964), ''The Whisperers'' (1967), '' Deadfall'' (1968), ''The Stepfor ...

as Lady Alex Ackerman *

Harry Andrews Harry Stewart Fleetwood Andrews, CBE (10 November 1911 – 6 March 1989) was an English actor known for his film portrayals of tough military officers. His performance as Regimental Sergeant Major Wilson in '' The Hill'' (1965) alongside Sean ...

as Lord Ackerman * William Lucas as Marshall *

Clive Swift Clive Walter Swift (9 February 1936 – 1 February 2019) was an English actor and songwriter. A classically trained actor, his stage work included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, but he was best known to television viewers for ...

as Massey * Paul Williamson as Tarrant * John Collin as Wisbech * John Quentin as Digby *

Danny Sewell Danny Sewell (18 November 1930 – 18 May 2001) was a British professional heavyweight boxer and actor who created the role of Bill Sikes in the 1960 stage musical ''Oliver!''. He remained in the role for the original Broadway production, whi ...

as Weston * Charlie Williams as George Harvey *

Anne Cunningham Anne Margaret Cunningham (born 1937) is an English actress, best known for her role as an original cast member of ''Coronation Street'', in which she played Linda Cheveski, daughter of Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix). Early life Cunningham, an onl ...

as Mrs. Harvey *

Angela Bruce Angela Bruce (born 6 May 1951) is an English actress, noted for her television work. Bruce was born in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire to a West Indian father and white mother, but was put up for adoption aged three, and brought up in Craghead, ...

as Joyce * Margaret Heald as Eileen *

Mary Maude Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

as Robin Ackerman *

Norma West Norma West (born 19 November 1943) is a British actress, Born in Cape Town, South Africa, her best known television appearance was as Queen Elizabeth of York in the BBC series ''The Shadow of the Tower'' (1972). She played the part of Number 6 ...

as Sarah Tarrant *

John Conteh John Anthony Conteh, (born 27 May 1951) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1971 to 1980. He held the WBC light-heavyweight title from 1974 to 1978, and regionally the European, British and Commonwealth titles between 1 ...

as Boxer

Production

Filming

Shooting took place from 3 March to 7 April 1973.

Reception

Box office

The film was not a success at the box office.Tom Johnson and Deborah Del Vecchio, ''Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography'', McFarland, 1996 p369

Critical reception

''Monthly Film Bulletin'' said it was "too much like an episode of a TV series stretched to feature length". "Network on Air" noted the film as, "offering a grittier treatment than the 1959 film adaptation and the subsequent television series".

Allmovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was founded by popular-cult ...

noted, "

, a busy doe-eyed ingenue of the 1960s, is quietly effective as the middle-aged Mrs. Lampton."

References

External links

*
''Man at the Top''
at BFI * 1973 films British drama films 1973 drama films Films shot at EMI-Elstree Studios Films based on television series Films based on works by John Braine Films scored by Roy Budd EMI Films films 1970s English-language films 1970s British films {{1970s-UK-film-stub