Last Holiday (1950)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(361 ratings)

Informed that he has only a short time to live, salesman Alec Guinness decides to enjoy his last months to the fullest. He withdraws all his savings from the bank and heads to a posh hotel. Here he makes more contacts and opens more professional doors than he'd ever done before, thanks to his… More Informed that he has only a short time to live, salesman Alec Guinness decides to enjoy his last months to the fullest. He withdraws all his savings from the bank and heads to a posh hotel. Here he makes more contacts and opens more professional doors than he'd ever done before, thanks to his willingness--at long last--to take risks. He also spends every penny that he's earned in life. Then he discovers that the doctor's diagnosis was in error, and that he's in no danger of imminent death. An ironic ending caps this fast-paced black comedy. Last Holiday was co-written and co-produced by J. B. Priestly, author of many other "if I had to do it all over again" pieces, notably An Inspector Calls. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Henry Cass
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 13, 1950 Wide
On DVD: Jun 16, 2009

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Simple and modest in structure but delightfully rich in character.
Fred Camper, Chicago Reader
Funny, if you don't concentrate.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Slight and mildly amusing dark comedy of rebirth and regret.
Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com
the film would not register above passable if not for its central figure
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
Ignore the social esotericism: Last Holiday is a witty petit mort meant to distract from the arrival of le grand mort.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
Alec Guinness is one of classic cinema's truly genuine curiosities.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The picture is surprisingly moving, delicately handled and full of lovely vignettes.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An appealing morality play in which Queen Latifah demonstrates a warm embrace of life with just the right mixture of humor and humanity.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's funny, touching, perceptive and one of the great undiscovered movies. Discover it.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Alec Guinness leads a cast of familiar English characters in this short story about a dying man's last fling at life that's as cozy and predictable as a drink after work at your favorite watering hole.
AJ V

This is a cool movie, it's sort of a dark comedy at times, and a drama at other times. The story is good and the actors are good. I liked this movie, and I recommend watching it.
danny d

im blown away that there are people that dont love this film. rules of the game may be known as the best commentary on high society, but dare i say it, i like this film better. guinness was incredible in the lead role, and every actor played their roles perfectly. the emotional… More
im blown away that there are people that dont love this film. rules of the game may be known as the best commentary on high society, but dare i say it, i like this film better. guinness was incredible in the lead role, and every actor played their roles perfectly. the emotional roller-coaster that we receive is not melo-dramamtic, its far more subtle and intentional, and the message of the film carries major weight. a must see.
Henrik S

The solid tragic comedy tells the Dickenesque story of a man's second spring in life as he discovers that he suffers from a fatal illness. A good performance by the late Alec Guiness makes this movie enjoyable above average. Yet, the movie suffers from a slow pace, an uninspired… More
The solid tragic comedy tells the Dickenesque story of a man's second spring in life as he discovers that he suffers from a fatal illness. A good performance by the late Alec Guiness makes this movie enjoyable above average. Yet, the movie suffers from a slow pace, an uninspired direction and a very weak supporting cast. Still, it is worth a watch if you are into Alec Guiness.

Cast

            Beatrice Campbell as Sheila Rockingham

            Kay Walsh as Mrs. Poole

            Coco Aslan as Gambini

            Jean Colin as Daisy Clarence

            Muriel George as Lady Oswington

            Brian Worth as Derek Rockingham

            Bernard Lee as Inspector Wilton

            Helen Cherry as Miss Mellows

            Wilfrid Hyde-White as Chalfont

            Sidney James as Joe Clarence

            Esma Cannon as Miss Fox

            Alec Guinness as George Bird

            Arthur Howard as Burden

            Harry Hutchinson as Michael the Waiter

            Moultrie Kelsall as Sir Robert Kyle

            Eric Maturin as Wrexham

            Hal Osmond as Trade Union Man

            Brian Oulton as Prescott

            Ernst Thesiger as Sir Trevor Lampington

            Lockwood West as Dinsdale

            Leslie Weston as William the Waiter

            Heather Wilde as Maggie the Maid

            Meier Tzelniker as Baltin

            Campbell Cotts as Bellinghurst

            Ronald Simpson as Dr. Pevensey

            David McCallum Sr. as Blind Fiddler
See full cast