--- title: "The Lavender Hill Mob: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-lavender-hill-mob/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-lavender-hill-mob" critics_score: 84 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Lavender Hill Mob (1951): what the critics said Critics' score 84 from 9 reviews: 8 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics are warmly positive about The Lavender Hill Mob, with praise clustering around Alec Guinness’s precise, understated comic performance and a supporting cast that gives him plenty to work with. The reviews repeatedly admire the dry British humour, the nimble crime plotting and the gently amoral treatment of its characters. The writing also earns credit for keeping the set pieces lively and unpredictable, while the photography and satire of class distinctions attract further praise. The available verdicts differ mainly in enthusiasm rather than in their assessment of what works. Time Out offers a qualification within its five-star review: the film is neither as smart nor as savage as Kind Hearts and Coronets. The recorded scores include one mixed result, but the inaccessible New York Times review provides no usable explanation of its reservations, so it cannot establish a substantive dissent. ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 5/5. Parkinson praises the film as a superb, subtle crime-film spoof. He singles out Alec Guinness and the strong supporting ensemble. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-zswiei/the-lavender-hill-mob/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5/5. 19 July 2011. The critic gives the film a five-star review, while noting it is not as smart or savage as Kind Hearts and Coronets. The visible text singles out its British crime-comedy qualities for praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-lavender-hill-mob) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 July 2011. French calls the film one of Ealing’s most glorious gems and says it stands the test of time. He particularly praises the script, photography and performances of Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/24/lavender-hill-mob-film-review) ## Los Angeles Times — MARK CHALON SMITH Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 8 November 1991. The critic gives the film a warmly positive verdict, praising its dry, distinctly British comedy. They single out Alec Guinness’s delicate comic style and the film’s satirical take on class distinctions. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-08-ca-1023-story.html) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Newman presents the film as a gently amoral, entertaining comedy thriller. He singles out Alec Guinness as masterful in the role of Mr. Holland. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lavender-hill-mob-review/) ## Evening Standard — The Standard Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The review finds the comedy leaves viewers wanting more. It praises Alec Guinness’s performance and the supporting cast, including Stanley Holloway, Sid James and Alfie Bass. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-lavender-hill-mob-review-7425913.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1950. Variety praises the film as another successful Ealing comedy. It singles out Alec Guinness’s performance and the crisply handled police-exhibition sequence for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1950/film/reviews/the-lavender-hill-mob-1200416855/) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 1951. The page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint is available to summarize. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1951/10/16/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-lavender-hill-mob-with-alec-guinness-first.html) ## Eye for Film — James Benefield Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2010. The critic finds the film a tightly written, darkly comic Ealing comedy. They single out Alec Guinness’s performance and the writing’s ability to keep its set pieces lively and unpredictable. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-lavender-hill-mob-film-review-by-james-benefield) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-lavender-hill-mob.md