Common Sense Media Review
By Alistair Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic British sci-fi satire still holds relevance today.
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The Man in the White Suit
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT follows brilliant young scientist Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) as he causes chaos with a new invention.
Is It Any Good?
This celebrated black-and-white Ealing Studios comedy classic has plenty of zip and smarts. The Man in the White Suit gives the established order and the 1950s industrial workforce the runaround when a new, unbreakable fabric threatens to change the world forever. Guinness shines as the disruptive young scientist and inventor of the fabric, displaying a charming mix of heady idealism and self-righteousness. Unable to be bought off by a ruling class quietly obsessed with money and power, he's left oddly vulnerable at times, drifting through the action on a one-man mission to share his invention in the form of a dazzling white suit. His new outfit makes for a striking cinematic device as well as a handy metaphor. Despite its 1951 release, the movie asks questions about sustainability, monopolies, and job replacement that still remain relevant today, as technological innovations and corporate mergers have become commonplace. But it never feels heavy-handed. Guinness and his co-stars know how to tailor their performances to fit and play the material for laughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of innovation and technology in The Man in the White Suit. How do these ideas remain relevant today?
How was smoking depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? With regard to smoking, how has our behavior changed from when the movie was set and filmed?
What character strengths did Sidney show? Can you think of any examples of when you've shown these traits in your own life?
The movie is a satire. What does that word mean to you?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 31, 1952
- On DVD or streaming : October 1, 2010
- Cast : Alec Guinness , Joan Greenwood , Cecil Parker
- Director : Alexander Mackendrick
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : March 12, 2025
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