The Million Pound Note

1954 "Great fun... you can bank on it!"
6.8| 1h30m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 18 June 1954 Released
Producted By: The Rank Organisation
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

An impoverished American sailor is fortunate enough to be passing the house of two rich gentlemen who have conceived the crazy idea of distributing a note worth one million pounds. The sailor finds that whenever he tries to use the note to buy something, people treat him like a king and let him have whatever he likes for free. Ultimately, the money proves to be more troublesome than it is worth when it almost costs him his dignity and the woman he loves.

... View More
Stream Online

Stream with Prime Video

Director

Producted By

The Rank Organisation

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

Stream on any device, 30-day free trial Watch Now

Trailers & Images

Reviews

Karry Best movie of this year hands down!
SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie
Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated
Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
HotToastyRag Imagine a cross between Brewster's Millions and Trading Places, and you'll get Gregory Peck's Man with a Million. Wilfrid Hyde-White and Ronald Squire, are rich and idle brothers looking for a little fun. They come up with a bet: give a total stranger a million pound note, and tell him that if he lasts a month without spending it, they'll give him a good job. One man thinks it's the knowledge of having untouchable wealth that will propel the pauper into the high life, and the other thinks he'll have to spend it to get ahead. Greg plays the Man with a Million, or in other countries' release, the man with The Million Pound Note.If you like those types of movies, you'll like this one, since it doesn't stray very far from the usual mold. There's a moral debate, lots of jokes, lots of satire about the upper class—it stems from a Mark Twain story—and a fair amount of silliness. Plus, it's a period piece and Greg looks very handsome in his beautiful clothes, so you'll have plenty of eye candy. If you're looking for a more serious Gregory Peck movie, you've got tons to choose from, but it's nice to see him step out from his Atticus Finch person and have some silly fun every once in a while.
SimonJack "Man with a Million" is one of the few comedy films that Gregory Peck made. Known as a dramatic actor, Peck didn't play characters who could spew witticisms or clever lines, or who went through hilarious antics. But, he could hold his own in comedic situations, as in this film. He is mostly a straight man who gets into situations that are comedic and in which the cast around him are more the sources of humor. I think his best comedy was "Designing Woman" of 1957 with Lauren Bacall. He had some very laughable situations in that film. This movie is based on a Mark Twain short story, "The Million Pound Bank Note," published in 1893. It closely follows the Twain story with a few changes. The one thing I would like to have seen unchanged was the ending in Twain's story. One of the Montpelier brothers is revealed as the stepfather of Portia. The movie was filmed in London and at the Pinewood Studios in England. It was released there in January 1954 under the title, "The Million Pound Note." The J. Arthur Rank Organization made the movie and it was distributed in America by United Artists. The cast are all quite good. Peck is Henry Adams and Jane Griffiths plays the girl he falls for, Portia Lansdowne. Hartley Power is the Adams family friend, Lloyd Hastings. The Montpelier brothers are played by Ronald Squire (as Oliver) and Wilfrid Hyde-White (as Roderick). Joyce Grenfell is Portia's mother, the Duchess of Cromarty. The large supporting cast includes a number of people in various business settings who are very good and humorous with their airs and then humbling demeanor after learning that Adams has a one million pound note. These include George Devine as the Chop House proprietor, John Kelly as the Bumbles Hotel manager, and Maurice Denham as the exclusive tailor, Jonathan Reid. Mark Twain (nee, Samuel Clemens) set a number of stories in England. He was an avowed Anglophile. From his first trip to England in 1872, he fell in love with the culture, the people and the country. But this didn't stop him from poking a little fun at the Brits from time to time. He was taken under wing by the upper-class and wrote glowingly of the people, their love of history and tradition, and the countryside. This story is a soft satire of both England and America. The Duke of Frognal says rhetorically to the Bumbles Hotel manager, "Are you trying to tell me that American money means more than an Englishman's name? I won't stand for it. This country's going to the dogs."This movie is a fine production from the Twain story set in England. It doesn't have rollicking laughter, but it has warmth and an endearing tale amidst the mostly gentle humor. A later film, made in America, did a successful take off on the Twain story. "Trading Places" of 1983 was an adult comedy that starred Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd.
Irishchatter I came across this film because the mother was flicking through the channels and we decided to give it a watch. I have to admit, it was alright like. I wouldn't call it the best movie I've ever seen. Although it was good seeing Gregory Peck as the main character, I have never seen him as a young man before but I have to say this is my first movie when he was young.I only saw him on the Omen but nothing else until this!I don't have much to say about this movie but, I do consider it watchable!
jotix100 Oliver and Roderick Montpellier, two English brothers, make a bet that any man given a one million pound note, can live off the fat of the land just by showing off the good fortune of having it in his possession. Then, if by the end of a month, if he can show the intact bill, he will indeed be a man worthy of whatever fortunes might befall on him because of the sheer luck of proving the brothers right.The lucky recipient of the note is one Henry Adams, an American in London who is just a poor man with no money, or prospects of a job in the near future. He tests his good fortune when he decides to dine at a modest restaurant. As the bill comes, he shows his one million pound note, which of course, the owner can't possibly change. The meal is free.Henry Adams then discovers how he can go through his present situation relying on the fact that he is a millionaire, without really being one. He is given a set of smart clothes, a suite at one of the best hotels in town, and an introduction to high society, something that is not always available to Americans, even rich ones, as Henry appears to be.This delightful comedy of 1954 was a total surprise. The film, made in England at the famous Pinewood studios, was directed by Ronald Neame. Based on a Mark Twain story, which we haven't read, it counts on the great work of Gregory Peck, a man that was one of the most charismatic performers during his years in the cinema. Mr. Peck is the whole movie; it's unimaginable to think of any other actor playing Henry Adams.The supporting cast shows familiar faces of consummate English players who contribute to create the Edwardian atmosphere. Ronald Squire and Wilfrid Hyde-White are the Montpellier brothers, whose bet trigger the action. Reginald Beckwith is the mute valet who sticks by Henry through thick and thin. Jane Griffiths plays Portia, the woman that conquers Henry Adams heart. Also in the cast we saw Hugh Griffith, in a non-credited role. Joyce Grenfell, another delightful character actress, has some brilliant moments as the Duchess of Cromarty.An enjoyable movie. Catch if it ever plays on your classic movie channel. You won't be disappointed!