Starring John Neville, Philip Stone, Gabriella Licudi, Patrick Newell, Jean Marsh
Directed by John Krish
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After a leading space research scientist dies mysteriously, his replacement tries to continue their work, but begins to notice his new wife has characteristics that make her something other than human.
This is a really well-done British science fiction thriller, very finely acted and directed, with some terrific cinematography from Reginald Wyer. What is doesn't have is any visual effects to speak of, but it doesn't need them, and is very much in the thinking person's sci-fi milieu. It's main subject concerns the idea that scientists across the world have hit upon a formula to allow humanity to project themselves into outer space via the power of thought, and if that seems far fetched, both cast and crew do a good job of selling its possibility within the structure of the film. Neville is very good here and Licudi is nicely showcased as something otherworldly through her performance and through some well-designed and edited sequences where we see how others react to her. It's intelligent entertainment and very thought provoking.
Showing posts with label John Neville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Neville. Show all posts
Monday, May 25, 2020
Sunday, April 8, 2018
A Study In Terror (1965)
Starring John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Barbara Windsor
Directed by James Hill
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson try to deduce the identity of Jack The Ripper, whose Whitechapel murders are terrorizing London.
Handsomely mounted with fine art direction and photography, this attempt to pit fiction's most famous detective against one of history's most notorious murderers certainly looks attractive, and I had little trouble allowing myself to be transported back to Victorian London. I was a little disappointed that the story didn't allow for more mental sparring between these two legendary characters, framed more as a whodunit trying to hide the Ripper's true identity until the film's final moments. I thought Neville and Houston were okay as Holmes and Watson although they certainly didn't impress me enough to stand out among the duo's great screen portrayers, and the supporting cast members that best stood out had but brief moments in the picture: Adrienne Corri as the hard to find Angela Osborne, and Robert Morley, in an inspired bit of casting as Holmes' equally clever brother Mycroft. Still, I was entertained by this sumptuous looking if flawed production.
Directed by James Hill
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson try to deduce the identity of Jack The Ripper, whose Whitechapel murders are terrorizing London.
Handsomely mounted with fine art direction and photography, this attempt to pit fiction's most famous detective against one of history's most notorious murderers certainly looks attractive, and I had little trouble allowing myself to be transported back to Victorian London. I was a little disappointed that the story didn't allow for more mental sparring between these two legendary characters, framed more as a whodunit trying to hide the Ripper's true identity until the film's final moments. I thought Neville and Houston were okay as Holmes and Watson although they certainly didn't impress me enough to stand out among the duo's great screen portrayers, and the supporting cast members that best stood out had but brief moments in the picture: Adrienne Corri as the hard to find Angela Osborne, and Robert Morley, in an inspired bit of casting as Holmes' equally clever brother Mycroft. Still, I was entertained by this sumptuous looking if flawed production.
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