Ben Barzman screenplay very loosely based on Emlyn Williams play (which takes place after the execution). Alcoholic Michael Redgrave knows his son Alec McCowen (Frenzy, Travels with My Aunt) didn't kill his girlfriend but has scant time to prove it before he's executed. He knows it's something to do with a family he was close with: friend Paul Daneman, mother Ann Todd and father, an outbursty Leo McKern. I think the fact that we are shown the identity of the killer in the opening is a mistake, but it builds to a reasonably gripping conclusion, though somewhat daft. My Cinema One Losey retrospective thoughtfully doesn't contain an index, so what Losey himself had to say, I can't (be bothered to) tell you.
With Peter Cushing, Renee Houston, Lois Maxwell (the 'secretary' of McKern - didn't recognise her), Joan Plowright.
Constant clocks and noises, Redgrave slipping into alcoholic black-outs, all add flavour. Freddie Francis is on camera (with Arthur Ibbetson operating). The rather noisy music is from Tristram Cary. It was an independent Harlequin production.
No comments:
Post a Comment