Bartleby (1970 film)

Bartleby is a 1970 British drama film directed by Anthony Friedman and starring Paul Scofield, John McEnery and Thorley Walters. It is an adaptation of the short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener; A Story of Wall-street" by Herman Melville. The film relocates the narrative from New York in the 1850s to London in the 1970s.

It was shot at Twickenham Studios and on location around London. The sets were designed by the art director Simon Holland.

Plot
Bartleby, a young audit clerk, is defeated by the pressures of modern life; he gradually opts out of all forms of social engagement and withdraws into his own world.

Cast

 * Paul Scofield - The Accountant
 * John McEnery - Bartleby
 * Thorley Walters - The Colleague
 * Colin Jeavons - Tucker
 * Raymond Mason - Landlord
 * Charles Kinross - Tenant
 * Neville Barber - First Client
 * Robin Askwith - Office Boy
 * Hope Jackman - Hilda - Tealady
 * John Watson - Doctor
 * Christine Dingle - Patient
 * Rosalind Elliot - Miss Brown - Secretary
 * Tony Parkin - Dickinson - Clerk

Critical reception
The TV Guide reviewer commented that "the film is brooding, slow, and annoying at times, but the vision of McEnery as Bartleby is not easily forgotten. Scofield...gives a supremely intelligent portrayal of a man caught between logic and emotion."

Stanley Kauffmann of The New Republic wrote about Bartleby- "a poor film but with superb acting in it".