The Root of All Evil is a 1947 British drama film, directed by Brock Williams for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Phyllis Calvert and Michael Rennie.

She is loved by her childhood playmate Joe Bartle, but takes him for granted and feels that he lacks the spark or ambition to match her determination to make something of herself.

Seeing a possible payday as compensation for her disappointment, Jeckie sues Albert for breach of promise and emotional distress, and after she plays up her status as jilted victim to a local lawyer, she is awarded a considerable out of court settlement for damages.

She is intrigued to meet a handsome stranger Charles Mortimer, who tells her that there are large deposits of oil on the edge of town and he is looking for a financial backer to help him exploit them.

It belongs to an elderly man Scholes, who is of the opinion that it is a stony, barren and useless plot, and is happy to sell for what seems on the surface a generous price.

[2] The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Better characterisation and motivation might have made this plot just palatable, but nothing could overcome the heavy-handed narrative style evident in the scripting, direction and cutting.

Phyllis Calvert puts a great deal into a weak part and she is competently supported by an experienced cast, including a newcomer, Joe McCallum, who promises to be an interesting addition to England's male leads.