i watch this film recently for the first time in over 30 year and be very pleasantly surprise . i remember a film that catch the mood and feel of britain in the mid 1960s without fall into the swing britain clichés that so many other film think they have to propagate and my memory prove correct . those who feel that this be like a tv play be not entirely wrong but while andrea newman be to become famous for risqué tv drama and this film be more in the tradition of the kitchen sinkfilms such a saturday night and sunday morning but with an emphasis on middle class rather than work class life . rod steiger be excellent a the middle age angst ridden lead and unhappily marry to a repress and apparently barren wife ( claire bloom ) . the onset of the technological revolution be the the backdrop for the drama in which old value and certainty be challenge . this be the stage for the central character play by judy geeson and a role which at the time be a shocking departure from the typical prim behaviour of contemporary heroine . the reversal of role and with the girl rating her conquest in a little black book be a precursor to the feminist movement and be criticise at the time for promote promiscuity among young girl . the irony of these criticism be to be see in both claire bloom and peggy ashcroft character who be both acceptingly dissatisfy . peter hall make few film and on this evidence that be a great shame . steiger be exemplary and wholly credible show why he be so highly regarded .