Sergeant_Tibbs The Horse's Mouth first intrigued me as I love films about the arts and the art of filmmaking itself. Sometimes it can be rather self-indulgent but sometimes it can be so profoundly reflective that it becomes, almost ironically, the finest form of art. Although vastly different in style, The Horse's Mouth's premise is much like the premise of my second favourite film of all- time - Synecdoche, New York, which, released 50 years later, definitely has no connection past this coincidence. As you can imagine, since the idea of an artist struggling to find the perfect vision is why I consider Synecdoche to be one of the greatest films of all-time, those expectations rolled onto Mouth. But as I quickly found out from the first few minutes, The Horse's Mouth is instead a delightful comedy. Instead of being about trying to find a vision, the art itself is secondary and it's a pure character study paying close attention to the life of an artist.Despite a cartoonish gruff voice, Alec Guinness is the highlight. His apathy and self- deprecation make him wonderful to watch, particularly as he's very passive through the first act of the film, dragged along the narrative just like us. The writer as well as the star, Guinness clearly knows the character more than anyone, and it truly shows as he outshines his supporting cast to a severe degree. As someone who wants to be an artist myself (through writing and director films), his personal triumphs and failures find a way to take an exceptionally emotional toll. His fleeting inspirations are enlightening and when he finds himself unsatisfied it's utterly disheartening to know that someone as insightful as him can be wrong. The film has a wonderful sense of humour though and it certainly keeps the film very entertaining. However, it does suffer from that awkward transition of British Cinema in the 1950s between coming off too theatrical and whimsical and feeling truly cinematic in a Powell & Pressburger style. As it's directed by a cinematographer, it's really well shot which truly brings out the colour and the art. 8/10

blanche-2 Alec Guinness plays obsessed artist Gulley Jimson in "The Horse's Mouth," a 1958 film written by Guinness. Gulley is a grizzly-voiced, unkempt, grouchy artist who will paint his vision at all costs. We first see him being released from jail, and then, annoyed by a young man, Nosey (Mike Morgan), who wants to learn at his feet, he attempts to get back into prison.Since the prison doesn't want him, Gulley then returns to what got him into prison in the first place - harassing phone calls to a wealthy man, Hickson (Ernest Thesiger), who was given 18 canvasses by Gulley's ex-wife (Renee Houston) in payment of Gulley's debts to him. Gulley wants the canvasses back because he has a letter from another wealthy man who wants to buy one. But upon going to Hickson's house, Hickson's servant calls the police, and Gulley and his some time friend Dee (Kay Walsh) to whom he owes money have to escape via the kitchen and hijack a cab.Gulley goes to the elegant apartment of the couple (Robert Coote and Veronica Turleigh) who want to buy his painting - a small one, it turns out, for their summer home -- and what does he see but an enormous blank wall. Yes, he decides, that is what I must have for my painting of the raising of Lazurus. The couple leave for Jamaica, and Gulley stays on, commandeering a key from the superintendent. He then starts selling their things in order to buy supplies. The laugh out loud scenes come here, when Michael Gough, a sculptor, arrives and moves in his block of material. Absolutely hilarious.There is a serious undertone to all of this - Gulley Jimson is a man who has given up everything and lives on a houseboat in order to paint. His ideas are unlimited, and throughout the film, he is, in a sense, framing his next canvas."The Horse's Mouth" could be made today, it's just as fresh as it was in 1958. Guinness is sheer perfection as Gulley - nasty, contemptuous of commercialism, completely zeroed in on his vision and his art while he trashes the world around him. And for all that, a serious artist with something to say. The paintings by John Bratby are quirky and look as if someone like Gulley could have done them.It's so sad that the young man who played Nosey died of meningitis during the filming - he was delightful, as is the rest of the cast. Ronald Neame's directing is first-rate.This film is a total triumph.

barryer A truly great classic of film-making and faithfulness to the author's original intentions. The Guiness interpretation of Gully Jimson resonates for anyone who has ever known a slightly mad painter. The production values are splendid. The Bratby paintings are perfectly in keeping with the tone and thrust of the story. Casting for all the supporting roles was great throughout. This is a film that lives on in memory and continues to elicit smiles. I wholeheartedly recommend the film as entertainment at its best. I also applaud the choice made for the music track, it was inspired. You can never again hear that suite without it bringing to mind the running shuffle of Gully Jimson.

grdndms The script by Sir Alec Guinness made this a most enjoyable funny well acted film.Kay Walsh is superb as Coker. I always found that Miss.Walsh was an excellent supportive actress and when with Sir Alec they made a special sparkle light up.The book was "flat" and yet Sir Alec persuaded his friend,the director of the film,that it could be made and had potential. How right he was. Ronald Neame said that he could not see a "film" coming out from the book,but once the script had been written by Sir Alec,he was enthusiastic.The scene with Miss.Walsh running away from the police is hilariously funny.I cannot recommend it too highly. One of my personal favourite Guinness film.R. Guinness