Scream into the past

Movie
German title	Scream into the past
Original title	The Browning Version
Country of production	United Kingdom
original language	English
Publishing year	1994
length	93 minutes
Age rating	FSK 6
Rod
Director	Mike Figgis
script	Ronald Harwood
production	Percy Main , ; Garth Thomas , ; Ridley Scott
music	Mark Isham
camera	Jean-François Robin
cut	Hervé Schneid
occupation
	Albert Finney : Andrew Crocker-Harris; Greta Scacchi : Laura Crocker-Harris; Matthew Modine : Frank Hunter; Julian Sands : Tom Gilbert; Michael Gambon : Dr. Frobisher; Ben Silverstone : Taplow; Jim Sturgess : Bryant; Joseph Beattie : Wilson; Mark Bolton : Grantham; Tom Havelock : Laughton; Walter Micklethwait : Buller; Jotham Annan : Prince Abakendi; David Lever : David Fletcher; Bruce Myers : Dr. Rafferty; Maryam d'Abo : Diana; David Pullan : Trimmer;

Scream into the Past (Original Title: The Browning Version ) is a British drama from 1994 directed by Mike Figgis . The main role was played by Albert Finney .

It is based on a theater play by Terence Rattigan, which was filmed several times in 1948, including 1951 directed by Anthony Asquith . The original title of the character study refers to Robert Browning's translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon .

action

Andrew Crocker-Harris taught the Greek and Latin classics at a public school in the south of England for 20 years , brilliantly and at a high level - and with unyielding severity. His teaching facility under the direction of the skillful Rector Dr. Frobisher is traditional, but also changing. Crocker-Harris, who is married to the much younger Laura, is taking early retirement due to health problems. Most of his students take it with relief - they have invented the nickname "Hitler of the lower fifth" for him.

His successor will be Tom Gilbert, also winner of the Chancellor's Price for Latin Verse from Oxford , who will further restrict the dead languages according to the signs of the times. Laura has an affair with the jovial chemistry teacher Frank Hunter, an American. Crocker-Harris, a classic in its own right , is the one used by Dr. Frobisher promised pension not received due to the statutes . Laura then describes her husband as a "coward". Crocker-Harris has long suspected that his wife is cheating. What surprises him, however, is the fact that all his students hate him. He never published his own translations.

The celebration on the occasion of his adoption is imminent. Because of the dramaturgical process, Crocker-Harris lets himself be pushed to the penultimate place with his speech, clearing the field for a younger, more popular teacher. In his words, the beauty and fervor of Agamemnon only fall on fertile ground with "one in a thousand" students. The sensitive Taplow is the only one who can suffer the monstrous educator , even raves about him. With the boy he comes across translation fidelity , but also imagination and human empathy .

At a social occasion, the cricket , the boy, in a state of extreme nervousness, gives him a copy of the Agamemnon in Robert Browning's version, with a dedication in (perfect) hexameters . Crocker-Harris bursts into tears.

Laura humiliates him one more time by interpreting the book as an attempted bribe by a nerd. The young teacher Hunter - his rival - recommends Crocker-Harris well-meaning to "start all over again" and look for a "faithful" wife.

Crocker-Harris says goodbye to his wife and tells her to vacate the house by the following day. The award ceremony and farewell in the traditional hall are well attended. Crocker-Harris snubs Dr. Frobisher, by delivering the closing speech, according to his status. The previous speaker, the sports teacher, was applauded and cheered for his easily accessible speech.

In his farewell speech, Crocker-Harris deviates from his notes and instead takes stock of his own life in front of all years and the college. As a humanist , he admits his utter failure as a person and as a teacher. He asks the students present for their forgiveness on behalf of all former students.

He meets his wife one last time, but they part.

background

The exterior shots were taken at Milton Abbey School, Blandford , Dorset , the interior was provided by Sherborne School, Sherborne , Dorset.

Reviews

"A deeply moving portrait of slow emotional destruction, staged with careful, unsensational accuracy and portrayed vividly by Albert Finney."

- Lexicon of international film

It seemed to the New York Times that the whole film would only work “if we believe Laura when she says about her husband, 'He wasn't always like this'.” ( “The Browning Version” works only if we believe Laura when she says of her husband, “He wasn't always the Crock.” ) and in a general sense: “We won't take it from them.” ( rings hollow ).