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Summary: St. John Lord Merridew's "Death by Double Fault"
Review: Sleuth is Anthony Schaffer's play of mystery and murder brought to the screen. If you are an Oxford scholar you will have no problem with this film. Others may require a dictionary as this is a very erudite work. You also cannot blink, cough, or let your mind wander for a moment or you will lose your place as to what is happening. I say these things because they are true and because it is one of the most intelligent scripts ever brought to the screen. I can only compare the "Brideshead Revisited" script that was done by John Mortimer to match this production from 1972. Michael Caine was at his best, and although Oliver's performance on screen seems top notch, if you have read anything on the making of this film it was reported that he had trouble learning his lines among other distractions. The SETS on this film are memorable! VERY EXPENSIVE and CUSTOM games are everywhere.The music is VERY atmospheric, from the harpsichord improvs to the old Cole Porter tunes. Unusual in that it features only two men without the mandatory love interest that pervades every American picture but their duels do concern a love relationship with women of mutual acquaintance. Oliver is a mystery writer who has a character, St. John Lord Merridew solve all the plots ala' Hercule Poirot. The play and film are tributes to the classic detective fiction of the golden age of the 1930's. "Where every cabinet minister had a thriller by his beside and all detectives were titled." He uses his talent in mystery to entice and trap Michael Caine (his wife's current lover) in a series of games of death within the mansion meant to scorn and ridicule by upper class methods and put a trumped up pantry boy in his place! Caine turns the tables as Inspector Doppler drops by and makes Oliver believe he is going to jail for murder. Eventually the duels lead Oliver to crack under insults to his manhood and he performs the ultimate deed at the untimely arrival of the real police and sees his world that he created of games end in real life tragedy.
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Summary: The viewer can only watch and be enthralled
Review: The 1972 release, SLEUTH, is one of those movies that one watches, and then exclaims, "Wow!"Michael Caine plays Milo Tindle, a lowborn, cheeky hairdresser called down from London to visit Andrew Wyke on his rambling country estate. Andrew, played by Sir Laurence Olivier, is a class conscious, game-addicted, petty snob who writes award-winning detective stories. Milo also happens to be having an affair with Andrew's wife, Marguerite. On the other hand, Andrew is currently dallying with a local masseuse, Téa. Both men have cash flow problems. Milo hasn't enough to keep Marguerite in the lifestyle to which she's become accustomed, and Andrew has been beggared by ruinous British taxes. So, Andrew, being a self-proclaimed expert on crime whose literary detective creation, Lord Merrydew, always manages to make the official constabulary look like fools, invites Milo to join him in a mutually lucrative scam. The Plan: a suitably costumed Milo will "burgle" jewelry from Andrew's safe, fence it for an enormous sum, and be free to marry Marguerite, while Andrew happily collects the insurance money and enjoys his Siren of the moment. Andrew is not completely happy about his wife's adultery, but, after all, true gentleman can come to some convenient arrangement. Quite right! Thus begins an intricate series of role-within-role-playing games played magnificently by these two phenomenal English actors. From the viewers' perspective, the challenge is to determine when the make-believe ends and real life reasserts itself. Thus, not only is SLEUTH an absorbing mystery story, but the roles within roles also create a resounding paean to the profession of acting. After SLEUTH, I don't think it was quite so cleverly done until 1997's FACE-OFF. Both Caine and Olivier were nominated for Best Actor Oscars for their performances in this film. Sadly, neither won. In despite of that appalling injustice, this is one of those films that I can watch over and over again, and never fail to be delighted.
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Summary: great film, ok DVD
Review: The film is brilliant -- sets, acting, script are all superb. It's interesting, intelligent, visually beautiful, and creates genuine tension. How wonderful -- a thriller without gore! The DVD is done on the cheap. No bonus materials. The opening credits -- despite this being a 'widescreen' edition -- run off the sides of the screen. The 'matting' is uneven: the black strip below the picture on the screen is thicker on the left side than on the right. And, oddly (because it's over 2 hours long?), you have to turn the DVD over midway through. Glad this wonderful title is available, but a big slap on the wrist to the cheap producer and the sloppy engineer.
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Summary: Making a game out of real murder...and making it fun.
Review: The idea of a movie with only two actors in it may not sound overly exciting, but when you watch "Sleuth" for the first time, you realize that it couldn't have worked any other way. For many years, "Sleuth" has been one of my favorite movies, and remains so to this day. It is cleverly written and superbly acted by both Michael Caine (my all time favorite actor) and Sir Laurence Olivier. The tag line "Think of the perfect crime...then go one step further" describes exactly what the movie is all about. Olivier plays Andrew Wyke, an eccentric and revered mystery writer invites Milo Tindle (Caine) over to his mansion over a weekend in order to discuss the terms of his affair with his wife. Wyke is known as a lover of toys, games, and deviously cunning games of trickery that he plays on people. Wyke has known for some time that Tindle has been having an affair with his wife, and that he intends to marry her. Wyke sees an opportunity to unload his wife, without the possibility of her coming back and getting deeper into his pocketbook. Knowing him to be broke, Wyke proposes to Tindle a robbery scheme that will solve both of their problems. Things got a bit awry. What happens next would be criminal to give away, but it is one of the most brilliantly crafted farces I have ever seen in a movie. "Sleuth" was adapted from the stage play by Anthony Shaffer, and it plays out very much like the play itself. There is one setting, two actors, and lots of dialogue. It works very well, because it wasn't overdone in production. I cannot see how this could have worked with a more elaborate setting or cast. What carries the movie are the performances by Caine and Olivier, which ranks among their personal best (and picking ones from such distinguished careers is hard). Their interaction between each other is riveting, since their characters are so cunning. "Sleuth" was made in 1971, and 30 years on, every aspect of the movie has aged well. It is one of those movies that makes time stand still, and you are unaware that 2 hours has gone by at the end of it. That is the token of a great movie. The Anchor Bay DVD boasts the best transfer and sound quality of "Sleuth" so far, though the previous versions were also very good (including the VHS, which is rare for older movies). The main supplement is the 20 minute featurette "A Sleuthian Journey with Anthony Shaffer", in which the famous playwright is interviewed on his experiences with the play, the making of the movie, and his interactions with the filmmakers. He is jovial and gives plenty of fun anecdotes throughout the interview. Aside from that, there are talent bios and the usual trailers and TV spots. Considering the age and modest budget, not much in the way of extras should be expected. "Sleuth" is a rare movie that I can watch over and over again, and I am pleased to see that Anchor Bay did justice to the movie with this excellent (and modestly priced) DVD. An easy purchase for any movie fan.
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Summary: "Sleuth" was actually released in '73 NOT '68......
Review: This film was actually released in 1973, not in 1968 as stated above. It simply is one of the greatest films ever made. A real suspense roller coaster ride! If you've never seen it- you're in for a real treat. See this one, then see "Deathtrap" also starring Michael Caine. If you love one, you'll love the other!
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Summary: Don't waste your money!
Review: This is a great movie - I have it on VHS and I saw it on Broadway. The DVD version is shovelware! No bonus material at all. No subtitles - no alternate languages - no bios - nothing! It is listed as the widescreen version, but it is presented in standard format with the picture and credits running off the side of the screen. To add insult to injury, you have to turn the disc over midway though the movie. Wait for somebody to bring out a better pressing.
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Summary: Michael Caine looks like he needs beans
Review: This is a great movie that will keep you guessing and in suspense. The entire movie takes place in one house, making it quite like a play. Both Olivier and Caine are splendid. This is a young Michael Caine, and he has an expression on his faceoften that screams out "I want beans man!"
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Summary: GREAT MOVIE! AVERAGE DVD
Review: This is one of the greatest mysteries I have ever seen. The dvd isn't too bad, although it is a flipper, so are my dvd's of "Gone With The Wind", "The Color Purple", and "Das Boot" so I don't mind too much. Despite some of it's faults, the dvd is better than the vhs version. As of 08/13/2000, this dvd is still available at Columbia House. Check it out, you won't be sorry!
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Summary: A masterpiece
Review: This movie, pure theater in celluloid, is really a masterpiece. If I could save only ten films to see the rest of my life, Sleuth will be one of them. It's extraordinary how Olivier and Caine play their roles in this embroidered, strange, peculiar and unbeatable script. A rare jewel. Don't think twice: buy and see this film and do word of mouth with your friends... spread the buzz. There's nothing like this, nor even remotely.
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Summary: One of the Absolute Best Films Ever
Review: Twists, turns, decoys, red herrings, surprises. That's the plot. Amazing, world-class, unequaled, at their best. That's the acting. I first saw this film as a teen. It left an indelible impression. The first time you see this film you may very well come away as shocked and delighted as that. I have since seen it a dozen times and it still has much to offer. Subtle, intelligent, sophisticated - that's the upshot.
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