Thursday 16 November 2023

11 Harrowhouse (1974 Aram Avakian)

Last time we watched this (January 2016) I reported 'Actual heist and car chase are efficient enough, though considering the talent at work - former editor Avakian with Anne Coates - it seems slightly lacking stylistically'. Well, and not for the first time, I couldn't disagree with myself more. Former editor Avakian has put together an interesting film which Anne masterfully edits - the heist may seem 'efficient enough' to the untrained eye but actually it's a little masterpiece of film editing.

Charles Grodin's laconic voiceover is a plus - he adapted Gerald Browne's novel but Jeffrey Bloom wrote the screenplay. John Gielgud and James Mason steal the acting honours as the waspish organizer of 'the system' and his sad clerk, respectively.

The house is Ragley Hall, Alcester which has featured in The Crown and Dancing on the Edge but not Endeavour.

Candice Bergen is a daredevil driver but luckily, so is Helen Cherry. With Trevor Howard, Peter Vaughan, Jack Watson (on front desk), Glynn Edwards (security guard).

Quite enjoyed Michael J Lewis's music (Theatre of Blood, Baxter, Unman Wittering and Zigo).

Avakian and Arthur Ibbetson use the widescreen well:




The sound editor is Jonathan Bates again.

The address is fictional.

It's kind of perversely enjoyable. A sleeper.

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