Success Is the Best Revenge (French: Le succès à tout prix) is a 1984 drama film directed by Jerzy Skolimowski and starring Michael York. It was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.
Contents
Cast
Michael York as Alex Rodak
Joanna Szczerbic as Alicia Rodak
Michael Lyndon as Adam Rodak
Jerry Skol as Tony Rodak
Michel Piccoli as French Official
Anouk Aimée as Monique des Fontaines
John Hurt as Dino Montecurva
Ric Young as Chinese Waiter
Claude Le Saché as Monsieur Conio
Malcolm Sinclair as Assistant Stage Manager
Hilary Drake as Stage Manager
Jane Asher as Bank Manager
Production
Success Is the Best Revenge was filmed in London. As the film's producer, Skolimowski decided to mortgage his house (which featured in several scenes) in order to raise funds for the project; when it failed to recoup the investment costs at the box office, he declared himself bankrupt and was forced to sell his home, subsequently leaving Britain for the United States.
Although refraining from starring in the film himself (opting to cast Michael York as his alter ego Alex instead), Skolimowski chose to cast his wife Joanna Szczerbic as Alex's wife and his sons Michał and Jerzy (appearing pseudonymously as Michael Lyndon and Jerry Skol respectively) as Alex's sons Adam and Tony.