History Film / TheServant

* HaughtyHelp: Tony is a subdued example, but he is extremely passive-aggressive, dislikes Susan (the only member of the household to challenge him), and destroys Tony's sanity.

* HomeEarlySurprise: Tony and Susan catch Vera and Barrett having sex in his bed. Barrett is manipulating the situation so that he and Vera, on the brink of being fired, will confess that Susan and Tony were having an affair, and break up Tony's relationship with Susan.

* MenCantKeepHouse: When Barrett and Tony live together without a woman, the house descends almost immediately into squalor, and Tony makes it clear that he thinks of cleaning as "beneath" him. It's likely, however, that this is only a manipulation tactic from Tony to get Tony to [[spoiler:rehire Vera as the maid.]]

''The Servant'' is a 1963 British film from expat American director Joseph Losey, adapted by screenwriter Creator/HaroldPinter from a 1948 novella of the same name by Robin Maugham.

* PrecisionFStrike: When Barrett phones Vera with the news that he has persuaded Tony to take her on as a maid, a group of young girls hammer on the sides of the phone box with growing impatience. When Barrett exits the phone booth, he shouts "Get out of my way, you ''fucking bitch!''" to one of the girls (this being 1963, the offending words are partially drowned out by a vehicle, but what he says is still clear).

* ArmorPiercingSlap: In the final scene, after seeing what a pathetic, drunken slob Tony has become in the face of Barrett's manipulations, Susan slaps the latter ''hard'' across the face to show him what she really thinks of him. After a brief pause, Barrett shrugs it off and helps Susan into her coat, making it equally clear to her that he doesn't care what she thinks.

* {{Foil}}: Hugo Barrett and Tony are that for each other. One is a somewhat blank aristocrat, the other a charismatic manservant.

* HitlerCam: Used on Barrett in the very first scene to show how the balance of power will play out for the rest of the film. See the page image.
* ManipulativeBastard: Hugo Barrett, oh so much. Played by the suave and sinister Dirk Bogarde.

* {{Foil}}: Hugo Barrett and Tony are that for each other. One is a somewhat blank aristocrat, the other a charismatic manservant.

''The Servant'' is a 1963 English film by an expat American director Joseph Losey basing on a script by Creator/HaroldPinter.

It is a story of Tony (James Fox), a wealthy aristocrat who hires a lowlife servant Hugo Barrett, played by Creator/DirkBogarde, who won a BAFTA for his performance. Initially, Barrett does well at his job, but the relationship shifts as Barrett manipulates and corrupts Tony and dominates the household. Tony attempts a rebellion but in the end, he loses and remains subdued to his manservant for good.

One of the film's main fortes is its gorgeous B&W cinematography by Douglas Slocombe in the fashion of the early '60s. It also touches on the topics of social position vs psychological strength.

* ServileSnarker: Barrett has a few moments when his manipulative nature starts to come through.

The Servant is a 1963 English film by an expat American director Joseph Losey basing on a script by Creator/HaroldPinter.

It is a story of Tony (James Fox), a wealthy aristocrat who hires a lowlife servant Hugo Barrett, played by Dirk Bogarde, who won a BAFTA for his performance. Initially, Barrett does well at his job, but the relationship shifts as Barrett manipulates and corrupts Tony and dominates the household. Tony attempts a rebellion but in the end he loses and remains subdued to his manservant for good.

One of the film's main fortes is its gorgeous B&W cinematography by Douglas Slocombe in the fashion of the early 60's. It also touches on the topics of social position vs psychological strength.

It is a story of Tony, a wealthy aristocrat who hires a lowlife servant Hugo Barrett, played by Creator/DirkBogarde, who proves to be a stronger person, corrupts Tony and starts to dominate the household. Tony attempts a rebellion but in the end he loses and remains subdued to his manservant for good.

* ManipulativeBastard: Hugo Barrett oh so much. Played by the suave and sinister Dirk Bogarde.
* OnlyOneName: Not by chance Tony's surname is not mentioned. While the antagonist is Hugo Barrett.

It is a story of Tony, a wealthy aristocrate, who hires a lowlife servant Hugo Barrett, played by Creator/DickBogarde, who proves to be a stronger person, corrupts aristocrate and starts to dominate the household. The aristocrate attempts a rebellion but in the end he loses and remains subdued to his manservant for good.

* {{Foil}}: Hugo Barrett and Tony are that for each other. One is a somewhat blank aristocrate, the other a charismatic manservant.

* ManipulativeBastard: Hugo Barrett oh so much. Played by the suave and sinister Dick Bogarde.

* ManipulativeBastard: Hugo Barrett oh so much.Played by the suave and sinister Dick Bogarde.
* OnlyOneName: Not by chance Tony's surname is not mentioned. Whole the antagonist is Hugo Barrett.

It is a story of Tony, a wealthy aristocrate, who hires a lowlife servant Hugo Barrett, played by Creator/DickBogarde, who proves to be a stronger person, corrupts aristocrate and starts to dominate the household. The aristocrate attempts a rebellion but in the end he loses.

One of the film's main fortes is its gorgeous B&W cinematography by Douglas Slocombe in the fashion of early 60's. It also touches on the topics of socialposition vs psychological strength.

* ManipulativeBastard: Hugo Barrett oh so much.Played by the suave and sinister Dick Bogarde.