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Michael Caine stars as a cat burglar in this 1960s suspense thriller directed by Bryan Forbes. When jewel thieves Richard and Fe Moreau (Eric Portman and Giovanna Ralli) invite former alcoholic cat burglar Henry Clarke (Caine) to join their ranks for a daring robbery, things quickly become complicated. Finding himself increasingly attracted to Fe, Henry soon realises that the couple's relationship is far from what it seems, a fact that has a bearing on events when the trio decide to relieve Spanish playboy Salinas (David Buck) of his jewels.
Synopsis
In this suspense film straining to be Hitchcockian, Michael Caine plays recovered alcoholic Henry Clarke, who finds himself enticed into the home of Fe Moreau (Giovanna Ralli), where he discovers an unusual arrangement--apparently Fe Moreau would rather engage in a relationship with an ex-alcoholic than her husband Richard (Eric Portman). Richard is an out-of-the-closet homosexual, complete with a young Spanish stud (Carlos Pierre) as a plaything. The staid home life heats up to a boil when the three misfits decide to steal jewels from a rich playboy.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Sentinel
Format:DVD
I'm biased; deadfall is one of my all time favourite 60s movies! Its relatively slow pace (by modern standards) is right up my street. Okay, it's kind of a classic crime thriller, but as the subtle tale develops, you can't help but be drawn into the undertow. The questionable relationship between Michael Caine, Giovanna Ralli and Eric Portman is the real key. In a strange way, it's also very believable.
John Barry's superb music - the only film I know to feature it as part of the tale - lifts the whole whole experience from good to excellent. And of course, the shock is in the title!
John Barry's superb music - the only film I know to feature it as part of the tale - lifts the whole whole experience from good to excellent. And of course, the shock is in the title!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Did you hear the one about the gay Nazi war criminal (Eric Portman), his lesbian wife (Giovanna Ralli) and the cat burglar (Michael Caine) who's pretending to be a drunk to get close to a millionaire he wants to rob? You'll love it - it's got robberies, incest and John Barry as well. Oh, and there's a great part for Nanette in it too and we can shoot it all in Spain with blocked funds.
That was probably Bryan Forbes' pitch for Deadfall, an enjoyable enough glossy thriller set in Spain before it raises the ante too much in the second half and loses its grip about the same time as Mrs Forbes, Nanette Newman, turns up to give a horrendously bad performance that'll bring your dinner up. Aside from Gerry Turpin's superb photography, its main distinction is the famous robbery sequence intercut with John Barry conducting his Guitar Concerto a la Bernard Herrmann in The Man Who Knew Too Much. Strangely the music doesn't always compliment the crime, as if they didn't get all the footage they needed (some of the more dramatic musical passages are played over shots of the concert), although it's a good centrepiece to a fine score. It's not the only time Barry cameoed - he also appears in The Living Daylights and The Cool Mikado, though he constantly tries to hide his face in the latter (but then wouldn't you in a Michael Winner film?) - but it is his most substantial. Shame the final heist simply doesn't match the first.
Fox's R1 NTSC DVD includes an interview with Barry as well as an isolated music and effects track that favors music over effects, but the UK release has no extras beyond the trailer.
That was probably Bryan Forbes' pitch for Deadfall, an enjoyable enough glossy thriller set in Spain before it raises the ante too much in the second half and loses its grip about the same time as Mrs Forbes, Nanette Newman, turns up to give a horrendously bad performance that'll bring your dinner up. Aside from Gerry Turpin's superb photography, its main distinction is the famous robbery sequence intercut with John Barry conducting his Guitar Concerto a la Bernard Herrmann in The Man Who Knew Too Much. Strangely the music doesn't always compliment the crime, as if they didn't get all the footage they needed (some of the more dramatic musical passages are played over shots of the concert), although it's a good centrepiece to a fine score. It's not the only time Barry cameoed - he also appears in The Living Daylights and The Cool Mikado, though he constantly tries to hide his face in the latter (but then wouldn't you in a Michael Winner film?) - but it is his most substantial. Shame the final heist simply doesn't match the first.
Fox's R1 NTSC DVD includes an interview with Barry as well as an isolated music and effects track that favors music over effects, but the UK release has no extras beyond the trailer.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Chris Mac
Format:DVD
Any movie with a soundtrack by John Barry is worth watching and this is no exception,very watchable,compelling heist thriller with good performances from the three main leads.This film could have been a laughable disaster in the wrong hands considering the complicated personnal relationships we are being presented with in the film but Caine and Eric Portman and the rather beautiful Giovanna Ralli thankfully manage to pull it off.The film dips a little towards the end and seems to race towards the climax rather abruptly,however the visual style and soundtrack of the film more than makes up for this flaw,indeed the photogrpahy is quite stunning with very lush saturated colour and interesting composition throughout, the transfer is superbly sharp and widescreen,well worth a look
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a excellent movie!
Slow paced, but still highly entertaining!
Thanks to
- first class camerawork by Bryan Forbes
- excellent music by John Barry
- good acting
- beautifull locations in Spain!
On the back of the cover it says aspect ratio 1:33:1!
Actually it`s 1:66:1!
Which means that there is a smal black area on both sides of the screen!
It looks more like widescreen than full screen!
It`s very much a 60`s movie!
Highly recomended!!
Slow paced, but still highly entertaining!
Thanks to
- first class camerawork by Bryan Forbes
- excellent music by John Barry
- good acting
- beautifull locations in Spain!
On the back of the cover it says aspect ratio 1:33:1!
Actually it`s 1:66:1!
Which means that there is a smal black area on both sides of the screen!
It looks more like widescreen than full screen!
It`s very much a 60`s movie!
Highly recomended!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By John Graham
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you want to see the great John Barry and Michael Caine in the same film ,then this is for you.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Moderately Effective Thriller Saved by Brian Forbes use of John Barry's Brilliant Soundtrack.
24 May 2013
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Midway through the film, there is an attempt to crack a safe that is in a house in Spain. The home owners are at a (John Barry) concert during the attempt. All the action is cued to the music, and is very effective. Although, Michael Caine must have titanium fingers and hands! The rest of the film is rather tense and rather turgid. It's still worth watching. Great Soundtrack - If you are a Barry fan, you must obtain a copy.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Desmond Cory is one of my favourite thriller authors. The movie is just not as good as the novel.
Michael Caine is OK in this movie,but it's John Barry's superb music that steals the show- a very nice scene is when Caine is trying to steal some jewels while the owners are way at the opera. A shame they also changed the ending which in the book is much better.
Michael Caine is OK in this movie,but it's John Barry's superb music that steals the show- a very nice scene is when Caine is trying to steal some jewels while the owners are way at the opera. A shame they also changed the ending which in the book is much better.
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