THE SERVANT

The Servant is a 1963 British film, directed by Joseph Losey of stars Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, Wendy Craig, and James Fox. The film was adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter (the first of three collaborations with Losey) from the novel by Robin Maugham. It is a well woven psychological drama that focuses on the relationship between the four central characters. The intricacies of the class, bondage, boredom and Pyrrhic Victory are examined and exploded.



Tony (James Fox), a wealthy young Londoner, urges Hugo Barrett (Dirk Bogarde) as his valet. Initially, Barrett seems easily to his new job and he and Tony make a link while calm, however, and maintain their social roles. They begin to change the relationship, and they change with the introduction of Susan (Wendy Craig), Tony's emotionally compelled friend who seems loathing to Barrett and hating everything he represents. Adding to problems is Vera (Sarah Miles), the supposed sister of Barrett, taking the household as a servant. In fact, the Vera is his lover.



Nothing is what it seems, people around the yard until the roles reverse and Tony emerges as a very different person. This is a scenario where the main characters seem bored to play their roles of hierarchies.