A Robert L. Joseph Production, filmed in black-and-white CinemaScope at the Elstree Studios of Associated British Picture Corp. Copyright 28 April 1964 by Hubris Productions Ltd. Released through 20th Century-Fox. New York opening at the Trans-Lux: 28 April 1964. U.S. release: April 1964. U.K. release: November 1964. Sydney opening at the Embassy. 9,239 feet. 102 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Dr. Leo Whitset (Peter Copley), an eminent psychoanalyst, is found dying from a gunshot wound in the consulting room of his London home. The few words he whispers to his housekeeper, Mrs Bales (Freda Jackson), before he dies, in conjunction with other evidence, lead the coroner to pronounce a verdict of suicide. Dr. Whitset has restricted his private practice to a select group of patients, devoting most of his time to research and teaching. Alex Stedman (Stephen Boyd) had been one of those few private patients. An American living in England, Stedman is one of the country's leading television news commentators, whose outspoken views have made him a celebrity. The loss of his young English wife and daughter in a tragic accident has made him bitter and wary of all emotional entanglements. But under the care and influence of Dr. Whitset, Stedman had begun to find the first glimmer of self-understanding and acceptance. The doctor's sudden and inexplicable suicide, therefore, is a crushing blow, a denial of everything he had stood for.
NOTES: When originally shot, the film had a segment with Patricia Neal. Because it was felt the film ran too long, her role has been completely eliminated.
COMMENT: "The Third Secret" is a long and rather talky affair, directed by Charles Crichton of all people, here to some extent abandoning his usual stiff and ruthlessly routine style. Considering the ambiguous and somewhat illogical and unconvincing nature of their characters, the players do a good job, particularly young Pamela Franklin who gives a positively stunning performance (even if her part, like many of the others, could stand some trimming). Perhaps the one character whose part would not be improved by trimming is Richard Attenborough who is brilliantly unrecognizable as the pathetic art dealer Price-Gorham. On the other hand, Mr. Boyd puts a brave front on his characterization with its illogical and obtuse motivation, and its strands which repel audience sympathy (his callousness towards the Diane Cilento character for instance); as does Miss Cilento on a similar character — though hers is sympathetic all the way, even when we don't understand her. Sharper film editing would have removed some of the confusion.
Hawkins tends to over-act, but he certainly holds audience attention brilliantly, as does Paul Rogers with his chilling exposition of the psychotic. Other roles are small though all are very competently played. Freda Jackson perhaps over-acts a trifle in her brief portrait of the housekeeper, while Alan Webb plays the uncle much too stridently, but Judi Dench is perfect as the harried little gallery assistant.
Slocombe's moody, misty photography is a major asset, as is the atmospheric music score and brilliant art direction perfectly capturing the mood and atmosphere of many vastly different scenes. Production values are excellent.
OTHER VIEWS: For once in his life, Charles Crichton has directed a picture creatively. Presumably the impetus has come from scriptwriter/producer Robert L. Joseph; or maybe it was the challenge of the large CinemaScope frame; or the difficulty of the subject. Anyway, Crichton has brought it all off marvelously well. Attenborough is superb, Douglas Slocombe's camera-work breathtaking. — JHR writing as George Addison.
SYNOPSIS: Dr. Leo Whitset (Peter Copley), an eminent psychoanalyst, is found dying from a gunshot wound in the consulting room of his London home. The few words he whispers to his housekeeper, Mrs Bales (Freda Jackson), before he dies, in conjunction with other evidence, lead the coroner to pronounce a verdict of suicide. Dr. Whitset has restricted his private practice to a select group of patients, devoting most of his time to research and teaching. Alex Stedman (Stephen Boyd) had been one of those few private patients. An American living in England, Stedman is one of the country's leading television news commentators, whose outspoken views have made him a celebrity. The loss of his young English wife and daughter in a tragic accident has made him bitter and wary of all emotional entanglements. But under the care and influence of Dr. Whitset, Stedman had begun to find the first glimmer of self-understanding and acceptance. The doctor's sudden and inexplicable suicide, therefore, is a crushing blow, a denial of everything he had stood for.
NOTES: When originally shot, the film had a segment with Patricia Neal. Because it was felt the film ran too long, her role has been completely eliminated.
COMMENT: "The Third Secret" is a long and rather talky affair, directed by Charles Crichton of all people, here to some extent abandoning his usual stiff and ruthlessly routine style. Considering the ambiguous and somewhat illogical and unconvincing nature of their characters, the players do a good job, particularly young Pamela Franklin who gives a positively stunning performance (even if her part, like many of the others, could stand some trimming). Perhaps the one character whose part would not be improved by trimming is Richard Attenborough who is brilliantly unrecognizable as the pathetic art dealer Price-Gorham. On the other hand, Mr. Boyd puts a brave front on his characterization with its illogical and obtuse motivation, and its strands which repel audience sympathy (his callousness towards the Diane Cilento character for instance); as does Miss Cilento on a similar character — though hers is sympathetic all the way, even when we don't understand her. Sharper film editing would have removed some of the confusion.
Hawkins tends to over-act, but he certainly holds audience attention brilliantly, as does Paul Rogers with his chilling exposition of the psychotic. Other roles are small though all are very competently played. Freda Jackson perhaps over-acts a trifle in her brief portrait of the housekeeper, while Alan Webb plays the uncle much too stridently, but Judi Dench is perfect as the harried little gallery assistant.
Slocombe's moody, misty photography is a major asset, as is the atmospheric music score and brilliant art direction perfectly capturing the mood and atmosphere of many vastly different scenes. Production values are excellent.
OTHER VIEWS: For once in his life, Charles Crichton has directed a picture creatively. Presumably the impetus has come from scriptwriter/producer Robert L. Joseph; or maybe it was the challenge of the large CinemaScope frame; or the difficulty of the subject. Anyway, Crichton has brought it all off marvelously well. Attenborough is superb, Douglas Slocombe's camera-work breathtaking. — JHR writing as George Addison.