An Inspector Calls is a 2015 television movie from The British Broadcasting Corporation. The movie is adapted from the play of the same name written by J.B. Priestley. The television movie originally aired on September the 13th of 2015. Some of the most notable British stars are present, including actress Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders, Not Safe for Work), David Thewlis, Chloe Pirrie, Finn Cole, Gerald Croft and Ken Stott. If you’re a fan of British television, you have likely already familiarized yourself with many of these actors and actresses.

So, what is it all about? Well, An Inspector Calls is a captivating character study. During the movie’s introduction, we’re introduced to the Birling family. The father, Arthur (Ken Stott, The Missing), operates a local factory, which only employs women. The daughter, Sheila (Chloe Pirrie), is in a happy relationship with Gerald Croft (Kyle Soller, Poldark). The entire family and Gerald group together at the Birling house for dinner. Everything is absolutely wonderful and the night only gets better, as Gerald officially proposes to Sheila.

She says yes and her mother, Sybil (Miranda Richardson), and father are ecstatic with the arrangement. Suddenly, Inspector Goole (David Thewlis) arrives at the home. Initially, Arthur believes the Inspector is there to obtain a warrant. This couldn’t be further from reality. Goole is there to interview the family about a recent suicide of a young girl, Eva Smith (Sophie Rundle). The movie quickly reaches this point and this is where it takes on a life of its own. Each of the family members have encountered Eva at some point or another and the majority of them were downright wretched in their behavior. This includes the brother, Eric Birling (Finn Cole, Peaky Blinders).

I could go into all of the grueling details, but this would ultimately ruin everything. However, I will just say that the Birling family is one of the most hateful, self-serving families in any movie ever. Before things come to a conclusion, you’ll ring your hands and grit your teeth in anger. The character development is very rapid and incredibly effective. As an actress, Sophie Rundle has really proven herself in her past few roles. She has played the sister of a two-bit gangster in Peaky Blinders, as well as an overly energetic airhead in Not Safe for Work. With An Inspector Calls, she stands alone and really delivers a commanding performance, which shows off her impressive range.

Of course, she isn’t alone! Each of the actors and actresses deliver outstanding performances. David Thewlis is incredibly creepy and somewhat otherworldly. As for the others, well, they’ll make you want to crush them beneath your heel! Although I could go on and on, the majority of the credit still remains with the original playwright, J.B. Priestely. The tale is absolutely captivating. It might be an hour and a half, but it felt far, far shorter. Once the interrogation started, An Inspector Calls had me hooked. I was afraid to blink or look away in fear of missing any little piece of evidence that could explain Eva’s suicide.

 

As someone, who has never seen the 1950s version, I feel no need to catch up. The 2015 film was one of the best I’ve seen in a lengthy period of time. Surprisingly, the television movie was leaps and bounds better than the majority of big screen, big budget, Hollywood films this year. If you can find a way to watch An Inspector Calls, clear your schedule and prepare for an hour and a half of pure perfection. It is definitely one of the must watch films of 2015 and it deserves a 9 out of 10, if not more.