The Drummond Will is an attempt at classic Ealing-style British comedy, with a 21st century attitude to morals and violence, but lacks charm, class or laughs.

The film is the debut feature from Alan Butterworth, who won the BFI 24 hour film competition with ‘Not So Perfect World’, and if you read the critic reviews on its DVD box, it is seemingly an uproarious comedy. Don’t be fooled.

The plot is a simple premise, with comic potential. It revolves around two brothers who after their father Howard Drummond has passed away, find one of their Dad's ancient friends hiding in their closet with a bag full of money.

It’s shot in black and white to mimic the classic Ealing comedies such as Kind Hearts and Coronets,  but here the setting is decaying rural England, a cue for a comedy vicar, and policeman.

But the film is seriously let down by its lead performers, whose strained face-pulling and shouting do not work as a substitute for acting.

Mark Oosterveen as Marcus begins the film as a dour accountant, but by 15 minutes is inexplicably ranting and raving like a lunatic. Both he, and Phillip James as his brother Danny, give performances more suitable to children’s TV presenters.

Jonathan Hansler employs John Cleese-style nasal put-downs as the constable, and gives the only tolerable performance.

The film has its moments but is mired in a wooden script, and is obviously made on a miniscule budget.

Luckily, at 78 minutes, it is mercifully brief.  But most of all, this film simply seemed irrelevant, both as a look at rural Britain, and for shooting in black and white to bring added ‘class’.