IMDb RATING
7.1/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
A cosmetic salesman sets out to prove to himself and his wife that he is not a failure.A cosmetic salesman sets out to prove to himself and his wife that he is not a failure.A cosmetic salesman sets out to prove to himself and his wife that he is not a failure.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen this film appeared in 1960, Peter Sellers had become an internationally-acclaimed star of comedies, but had never been seen in a serious drama like this violent thriller. People were so unused to see him playing someone unpleasant and aggressive that the film was a great critical and financial flop. Sellers himself, perhaps defensively, dismissed his performance sarcastically as "my attempt to be Rod Steiger". However, over the years, the film gained a small, but vociferous cult following and Sellers's work in it has been much praised.
- GoofsAbout five minutes into the film, Cummings (Richard Todd) is looking for his stolen car. One of the shots is "flipped" - the sign for "Berger's Cosmetics" reads backwards.
- Quotes
Lionel Meadows: I said I told you never to lift anything within five miles of around here! Don't you ever learn?
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Unknown Peter Sellers (2000)
- SoundtracksWhen Johnny Comes Marching Home
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged and conducted by John Barry
Lyrics by John Maitland
Sung by Adam Faith
Heard over the opening and closing titles
Featured review
Classic example of late 50s/early 60s British gritty reality cinema
I've now seen this film a few times when it gets shown late at night on ABC TV here in Australia and it is still compelling viewing. It is a classic example of the gritty working class social reality/suspense genre in a post Angry Young Men gloomy London setting with a superb cast all giving stellar performances, particularly Peter Sellers as the petty vicious crook (one of his best roles), Elizabeth Sellars as the long suffering wife, Carol White, Mervyn Johns and Adam Faith. The casting of Richard Todd in the lead role of the down-trodden but defiant cosmetics salesman who wants to show everyone he can succeed is superb, inspired and brilliant, particularly given that he was normally cast as heroic and successful types, such as officers.
It is impossible not to identify with the personal struggle against the injustice of the very difficult situation in which Todd's character has found himself and that was not of his own making. Although the film has the typical feel of the late 50s/early 60s era in British urban society (which I love, by the way!), I found his work situation, which is at the heart of the story, and the way he tried to deal with it achingly convincing and clearly reminiscent of more modern eras, particularly with the constant threat of up and coming younger, brighter and sharper sales staff being used by the management as an unsubtle threat to his position if he does not improve his sales figures. I am sure anyone who has ever been paid on a sales commissions basis in a competitive product or service field would be able to identify easily with that situation.
His persistent determination to deal with the unsavoury types he thinks are responsible for the theft of his car in the face of police indifference and try to get back everything that he has lost, while everyone is telling him to just give up, is portrayed very convincingly and the final ending and resolution with the fight scene in the garage is utterly convincing and satisfying. I strongly recommend this film and I have always found it difficult to understand why Richard Todd never became the huge star I believe he deserved to be.
It is impossible not to identify with the personal struggle against the injustice of the very difficult situation in which Todd's character has found himself and that was not of his own making. Although the film has the typical feel of the late 50s/early 60s era in British urban society (which I love, by the way!), I found his work situation, which is at the heart of the story, and the way he tried to deal with it achingly convincing and clearly reminiscent of more modern eras, particularly with the constant threat of up and coming younger, brighter and sharper sales staff being used by the management as an unsubtle threat to his position if he does not improve his sales figures. I am sure anyone who has ever been paid on a sales commissions basis in a competitive product or service field would be able to identify easily with that situation.
His persistent determination to deal with the unsavoury types he thinks are responsible for the theft of his car in the face of police indifference and try to get back everything that he has lost, while everyone is telling him to just give up, is portrayed very convincingly and the final ending and resolution with the fight scene in the garage is utterly convincing and satisfying. I strongly recommend this film and I have always found it difficult to understand why Richard Todd never became the huge star I believe he deserved to be.
helpful•552
- spyott
- Mar 15, 2004
- How long is Never Let Go?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Nikada ne popustaj
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content