Sleuth (1972)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Anthony Shaffer (play)
Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If it was murder, where's the body? [original movie poster]

Plot:

A man who loves games and theater invites his wife's lover to meet him, setting up a battle of wits with potentially deadly results.

Plot Keywords:

Clown | Disguise | Cult Favorite | Minimal Cast | All Male Cast

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Laurence Olivier	...	Andrew Wyke
Michael Caine	...	Milo Tindle
Alec Cawthorne	...	Inspector Doppler
John Matthews	...	Detective Sergeant Tarrant
Eve Channing	...	Marguerite Wyke
Teddy Martin	...	Police Constable Higgs

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Italian

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:16 | UK:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Sweden:15 | UK:AA | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Dorset, England, UK

Company:

Palomar Pictures

Trivia:

The laughter coming from the "dummy" Jolly Jack Tar is that of Laurence Olivier.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Wyke is dictating his novel at the beginning of the movie, the microphone he uses is alternately in his hands/on the stone bench between shots.

Quotes:

Inspector Doppler: Over the years my eyes have been adequately trained to see things for themselves, sir.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in George Stevens: The Filmmakers Who Knew Him (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Just one of these things

The ultimate "thinking persons" movie.

When Britain does it right....no one can come close to it! This was just such a movie. A filmed version of Anthony Shaffer's own wonderful stage play, the brilliance needed to sustain 138 minutes attention between just two people in three or four rooms of a single house - should not be underestimated. Olivier is in his element as the upper crust land-owner who invites Alfie-esque hairdresser Caine to his mansion, simply to acknowledge his wife's infidelity with him and to inform Caine that he is messing with the wrong guy.

The dialog driven plot is probably beyond the grasp of most younger viewers, but is a veritable revelation for those seeking to be entertained on a grand scale. As important a player as anyone else, the house itself and its many wondrous artifacts are simply stunning. How the tables are turned and the roles reversed? Without doubt, one of the greatest films ever made.

As for Alex Cawthorne's stunning performance as Inspector Doppler, what can I say? Its almost as is he wasn't there!