A critical failure at the time of its release and considered something
of a let-down for its director and star, (it was certainly an odd choice
of material), this 1964 film version of Emlyn Williams' play, (it was
written in 1935 and filmed two years later with Robert Montgomery), is
nowhere near as bad as people say. It's the one about the young
psychopath, (a terrific Albert Finney), who worms his way into the
affections of elderly invalid Mona Washbourne, (superb), and her
initially stand-offish daughter, (an excellent Susan Hampshire). The
problem is that in attempting to get to the psychological heart of the
piece director Karl Reisz drains it of all suspense and Clive Exton's
screenplay, (I haven't seen or read the original play), is a bit on the
dull side. But neither is it a disaster and I have never understood why
it disappeared so soon after its initial appearance.I have been reviewing films all my life, semi-professionally in the past and for the past 10 or 12 years on imdb and more recently in letterboxd and facebook. The idea of this blog is to get as many of those reviews gathered together in one place. I have had a great deal of support and encouragement from a lot of people throughout the world and I hope that continues. Now for the ratings. **** = not to be missed. *** = highly recommended. ** = recommended. * = of interest and no stars = avoid..
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
NIGHT MUST FALL **
A critical failure at the time of its release and considered something
of a let-down for its director and star, (it was certainly an odd choice
of material), this 1964 film version of Emlyn Williams' play, (it was
written in 1935 and filmed two years later with Robert Montgomery), is
nowhere near as bad as people say. It's the one about the young
psychopath, (a terrific Albert Finney), who worms his way into the
affections of elderly invalid Mona Washbourne, (superb), and her
initially stand-offish daughter, (an excellent Susan Hampshire). The
problem is that in attempting to get to the psychological heart of the
piece director Karl Reisz drains it of all suspense and Clive Exton's
screenplay, (I haven't seen or read the original play), is a bit on the
dull side. But neither is it a disaster and I have never understood why
it disappeared so soon after its initial appearance.
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