In the film, characters are present in a very similar way to which they were described in the book. The actors performance adds to the full appreciation of the play. There was a particular bit where the actor playing Sheila was telling her future husband to be that there is no point in trying to lie to the inspector because “he knows everything” that part was I was able to remember because of the confused look she had on her face while she was saying it.
I am going to write about two characters in particular who are Mr.Birling and Sheila; I am going to start of by writing about Sheila. At the start of the play, she is “very pleased with life”. She is young, attractive and has just become engaged.
In the scene where Sheila is being questioned she speaks very softly and honestly face away from every body showing that she knows that she is in the wrong. Not only is she prepared to admit her faults, she also appears to be keen to change her behaviour “I’ll never, never do it again”
I think the actress played her part well because did a good job because when the flash back was shown the way in which she acted spoilt and angry in the shop was very different to the Sheila at home. Showing what Pirsley wanted.
Now I am going to write about my second character Mr.Birling a pompous factory owner, not the social equal of his wife. He is “a self made man”. Eva Smith was employed at his factory and was fired for asking for a pay rise “I refused, of course”. He was surprised why anyone would question because he was more interested in making money “it is my duty to keep labour costs down” because of his strong believe in “a man has to make his own way”.
The most disturbing part for Birling is the scene in which he learns that his own son is a drunken and is responsible for fathering a child. When he learns of this “you dammed fool-why didn’t you come to me when you found your self in trouble” to which Eric’s replay was “because your not the kind of chap a man couldn’t turn to when he’s in trouble” showing us that Birling is not close to his son and how ignorant his son knows he is.
He remains ignorant until the end when he laughs at Eric and Sheila saying “the famous younger generation who know it all” not knowing what going to happen next. Mr.Birling represents Priestley’s hatred for businessmen who are only interested in money. He will never alter his ways and it is left to the younger generation to change the future.
In conclusion, I think that the film was entertaining and the changing of the inspectors name from Goole to Poole was a factor that made the film more like a late night movie. I think that the way in which the inspector left without warning them properly took away Preistly’s message. I prefer the book because the stage direction and the word leave the reader to imagine and too draw the reader to their own conclusion. Also to revel the moral of the story.
