Alfie

Alfie (1966) (1966)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (24 reviews)

  • 68% of users liked it
    (14,200 ratings)

Michael Caine's first starring role was a foray into dramatic irony, scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play. Alfie (Caine) is a charming, rogueish Cockney who cannot get his fill of women. He uses them without shame or malice, jumping from one promiscuous female's bed to another… More

Play Trailer

PG,
Directed By
Written By
Bill Naughton
Genres
Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy
In Theaters
Aug 24, 1966 Wide
On DVD
Feb 27, 2001
Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    For all its implicit misogyny, the original 1966 film version of Bill Naughton's play remains durable because of Michael Caine's career-defining performance as the cockney ladies' man.

  • , TIME Magazine

    Caine plays the sodding little spiv with a raucous charm that makes Alfie seem more interesting than he actually is.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    Behind its alley-cat philosophy, there's some shrewd sense, some pointed barbs and a sharp moral.

  • Geoff Andrew, Time Out

    Of course he gets his comeuppance, in an ending that has all the moral weight and sincerity of a DeMille sex'n'sawdust spectacular. Good performances, though.

  • , TV Guide's Movie Guide

    In its time, the film was praised for its sexual frankness and persuasive rendering of Swinging London; both seem quaint by contemporary standards. Caine's Cockney Don Juan, however, is sui generis.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Lucas M


    Terrific!!!

  • Tim S


    Sorely dated not only in look but in subject matter, this film takes place in the swinging 60's of London, and a lot of the attitudes of that time are front and center. Most of the time, you think Alfie is a bastard by the way he treats his "birds," but eventually, you… More

  • Spencer S


    The juvenile charisma of a thirty-something Michael Caine onscreen with all manner of woman started off as a candid comedic romp about sex in the swinging sixties. It becomes apparently clear early on that this is far from the case. A deep and distressing view of male promiscuity… More

  • Ken S


    Michael Caine is great as the precursor to Ferris Bueller, but this movie is no Ferris Bueller. It's much darker, more akin to Lindsay Anderson than John Hughes.

  • AJ V


    I saw this after seeing the recent remake of it thinking that it would be much better, but I was disappointed. Even with Caine's great performance, the story lacks any feeling, it doesn't make the audience care about or feel anything. I do not care for Alfie at all, but… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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