A coolly elegant, critically acclaimed comic masterpiece, Kind Hearts and Coronets is classic black comedy from Ealing Studios.

Louis Mazzini’s mother belongs to the aristocratic family D’Ascoyne, but she ran away with an opera singer. Therefore, the D’Ascoynes rejected her and Louis.

Once an adult, Louis (Price) decides to avenge his mother and himself, by becoming the next Duke of the family. Murdering every potential successor – all famously played by Alec Guinness – is clearly the safest way to achieve his goal.

Louis employs a variety of imaginative murder techniques in order to achieve his aim, and gradually his goal seems to be moving towards his grasp.

Originally released in June of 1949, this British black comedy remains a firm favourite on Top British Film lists and features an all-star cast including Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson and Alec Guinness; with Guinness playing nine characters.

The story follows Louis D’Ascoyne Mazzini (Dennis Price), the son of a woman disowned by her aristocratic family for marrying out of her social class.

After her death, Louis decides to take revenge on the family, and to take the dukedom by trying to murder the people ahead of him who are in line for succession of the title.

Regarded by many as Ealing comedy’s greatest film, come and relish this 70th Anniversary restoration in sparkling 4k on our big screen.

Run time: 106 mins

REVIEWS
Empire ★★★★★
A jewel in the crown of the finest comedy production line Britain ever saw.

Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian ★★★★★
Kind Hearts and Coronets review