An Inspector Calls (1954): Cast, Box Office, Plot & Where to Watch
An Inspector Calls is a 1954 romantic drama directed by Guy Hamilton, starring Alastair Sim as Inspector Poole, Olga Lindo and Arthur Young. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes and earned $6.3 million worldwide. Stream it on BFI Player and Kanopy.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 20m (80 min)
- Director
- Guy Hamilton
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Watergate
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is An Inspector Calls About?
The premise of An Inspector Calls without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During a genteel dinner for an upper‑class family, a police inspector arrives with the shocking news that a young woman known to all the guests has died under suspicious circumstances. He suggests each household member may bear responsibility, forcing the family to confront their secrets while questioning the inspector’s true identity and purpose.
An Inspector Calls Themes & Keywords
· 31 tags- flashback
- coincidence
- suicide
- unreliable flashback
- one night timespan
- class differences
- family relationships
- telephone call
- showing someone a photograph
- unwanted pregnancy
- social commentary
- questioning
+19 more Show fewer
- workers' strike
- confession
- police call box
- police
- young
- british crime
- social drama
- 1910s
- told in flashback
- mysterious man
- european crime
- 20th century
- europe
- police inspector
- parent grown child relationship
- year 1912
- corruption
- based on play
- surprise ending
Where to Watch An Inspector Calls
Stream it on BFI Player and Kanopy. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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An Inspector Calls Cast & Characters
Alastair Sim leads the cast as Inspector Poole, with Olga Lindo as Mrs. Sybil Birling and Arthur Young as Mr. Arthur Birling. Directed by Guy Hamilton; 24 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Guy Hamilton
- Alastair Sim as Inspector Poole
- Olga Lindo as Mrs. Sybil Birling
- Arthur Young as Mr. Arthur Birling
- Brian Worth as Gerald Croft
Also Starring in An Inspector Calls
· 20 more- Eileen Moore Sheila Birling
- Bryan Forbes Eric Birling
- Jane Wenham Eva Smith
- John Welsh Shop Walker - Mr. Timmon
- George Cole Tram Conductor
- George Woodbridge Fish & Chip Shop Owner - Stanley
- Norman Bird Jones-Collins - Foreman
- Victor Harrington
- Barbara Everest Committee Member - Mrs. Lefson
- Olwen Brookes Miss Francis - Hat Saleswoman
- Charles Saynor Police Officer - Arnold Ransom
- Paul Phillips
- Mabel Etherington
- Jenny Jones Small Girl
- Catherine Willmer
- George Hirste
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
An Inspector Calls Plot Summary
What happens in An Inspector Calls from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1912, the prosperous Birling family gathers around the dining table at the end of a dinner party with their friend Gerald Croft Brian Worth, who is engaged to Sheila Birling Eileen Moore. Mr. Birling Arthur Young and Mrs. Birling Olga Lindo try to keep the mood light with light chatter about business, social status, and the looming future, while their son Eric Birling Arthur Young exchanges uneasy glances over the clinking of glasses. The evening takes a startling turn when a man calling himself Inspector Poole Alastair Sim arrives to announce that Eva Smith Jane Wenham — a working-class girl who kept a diary — has died by suicide, and that her death is somehow linked to each member of the family.
Full summary
The whole story of An Inspector Calls, scene by scene
An Inspector Calls Box Office
An Inspector Calls grossed $6.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$6.3M
- International
- $6.3M
How Well Do You Know An Inspector Calls?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the mysterious inspector in the film?
Seen An Inspector Calls?
Movies Like An Inspector Calls
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including An Inspector Calls, An Inspector Calls and An Inspector Calls.
An Inspector Calls FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office and post-credit scenes of An Inspector Calls, each answered in a sentence.
How long is An Inspector Calls?
An Inspector Calls runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).
When was An Inspector Calls released?
An Inspector Calls was released on March 16, 1954.
Who directed An Inspector Calls?
An Inspector Calls was directed by Guy Hamilton.
More films by Guy Hamilton Who is in the cast of An Inspector Calls?
An Inspector Calls stars Alastair Sim as Inspector Poole, Olga Lindo as Mrs. Sybil Birling and Arthur Young as Mr. Arthur Birling, among 24 credited actors.
Where can I watch An Inspector Calls?
In the US, An Inspector Calls is streaming on BFI Player and Kanopy (availability from JustWatch).
How much did An Inspector Calls make at the box office?
An Inspector Calls grossed $6.3 million worldwide.
Does An Inspector Calls have a post-credit scene?
No. An Inspector Calls has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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