The Fallen Idol

The Fallen Idol (also known as The Lost Illusion) is a 1948 British mystery thriller film directed by Carol Reed, and starring Ralph Richardson, Bobby Henrey, Michèle Morgan, and Denis O'Dea. Its plot follows the young son of a diplomat in London, who comes to suspect that his family's butler, whom he idolises, has committed a murder. It is based on the 1936 short story "The Basement Room", by Graham Greene. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director (Carol Reed) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Graham Greene), and won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Plot The young son of the ambassador of a French-speaking European country, Philippe lives a lonely life at the embassy in Belgrave Square, London. Philippe's mother has been in hospital for months and his father is frequently absent. The butler, Baines, keeps Phillipe entertained by telling stories of his daring adventures in Africa and elsewhere, where he claims to have killed a man in self-defense and vanquished lions. As a result, Philippe idolises him. By contrast, Philippe hates Baines's wife, the housekeeper, who is very strict with him. One afternoon, when Philippe's father is away, Philippe slips out of the house alone. He finds Baines in a tea shop, talking to Julie, a typist from the embassy. The couple have been carrying on a relationship, but Julie wishes to end it and has already booked to leave for the Continent. Philippe is oblivious to the meaning of their conversation and accepts Baines's explanation that Julie is his niece. Baines asks Philippe not to mention the meeting to his wife.