Ordeal by Innocence (film)
Ordeal by Innocence is a 1984 mystery film directed by Desmond Davis. It stars Donald Sutherland, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Plummer and Sarah Miles. It is based on the 1958 Agatha Christie novel Ordeal by Innocence.
| Ordeal by Innocence | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Desmond Davis |
| Written by | Agatha Christie (novel) Alexander Stuart (screenplay) |
| Starring | Donald Sutherland Sarah Miles Christopher Plummer Ian McShane Diana Quick Faye Dunaway |
| Music by | Dave Brubeck |
| Cinematography | Billy Williams |
| Edited by | Timothy Gee |
| Distributed by | Cannon Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
Paleontologist Dr. Arthur Calgary visits the Argyle family to give them an address book that belongs to Jack Argyle. He is told that Jack was executed for the murder of his adoptive mother two years previously. Dr. Calgary can prove that Jack was innocent and restarts the investigation, with lethal consequences.
Cast
- Donald Sutherland – Dr. Arthur Calgary
- Faye Dunaway – Rachel Argyle
- Christopher Plummer – Leo Argyle
- Sarah Miles – Mary Durant
- Ian McShane – Philip Durant
- Diana Quick – Gwenda Vaughan
- Annette Crosbie – Kirsten Lindstrom
- Michael Elphick – Inspector Huish
- George Innes – Archie Leach
- Valerie Whittington – Hester Argyle
- Phoebe Nicholls – Tina Argyle
- Michael Maloney – Micky Argyle
- Cassie Stuart – Maureen Clegg
- Anita Carey – Martha Jessup
- Ron Pember – Ferryman
- Kevin Stoney – Solicitor
- Brian Glover - Executioner
Release
The film was shown at Italy's Mystfest on 22 June 1984.[1]
Reviews
Dave Brubeck's musical score for the film was heavily criticised as totally inappropriate for this style of mystery.[2] A timeout.com review stated "the film succeeds admirably in catching a feeling of repression and social conformity, and the idea of murder as a means of maintaining respectability rather than for gain or passion" and "a genuine '50s black thriller".[3]
References
- "MYSTFEST ' 84 TANTI FILM E UN IMPUTATO: AGATHA CHRISTIE - la Repubblica.it". Archivio - la Repubblica.it.
- "Film Review: "Ordeal by Innocence" (1985)". 16 August 2011. wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Ordeal by Innocence". timeout.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.