Kind Hearts and Coronets

Louis D'Ascoyne (Dennis Price) belongs to a rich family of English aristocrats. He sees all his dreams of becoming duke shattered when his mother marries an italian opera singer whose lower social status enrages D'Ascoyne family. They disown her and Louis. When she dies his mother's last request is unfulfilled when the family refuses to bury her in their vault. Louis decides to take revenge upon each one of the family members, the eight that stand between him and his desired dukedom. The story is told as a flashback, starting when Louis awaits in prison for his hanging next day, accused of the crimes he is about to describe.

The film was released in London in 1949 and comedy is a vital part of the story, especially considering all the eight D'Ascoyne family members being played by the same actor, Alec Guinnes.