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Sleuth [DVD] [1972]
 
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Sleuth [DVD] [1972]

DVD ~ Laurence Olivier
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Sleuth [DVD] [1972]
65% buy
Sleuth [DVD] [1972] 5.0 out of 5 stars (5)
£4.48
Sleuth [DVD] [1972]
23% buy the item featured on this page:
Sleuth [DVD] [1972] 5.0 out of 5 stars (8)
Sleuth [DVD] [2007]
9% buy
Sleuth [DVD] [2007] 3.0 out of 5 stars (9)
£4.88
Twelve Angry Men [DVD] [1957]
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Product details

  • Actors: Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Alec Cawthorne, John Matthews, Eve Channing
  • Directors: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
  • Writers: Anthony Shaffer
  • Producers: David Middlemas, Edgar J. Scherick, Morton Gottlieb
  • Format: Dubbed, PAL
  • Language English, Italian
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Anchor Bay Home Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 29 Jul 2002
  • Run Time: 138 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000068OX9
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 14,396 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Adapted by Anthony Shaffer from his own hit stage play, Sleuth (1972) is a reflexively self-aware send-up of the murder-mystery genre, which risks everything on the tour de force performances of its small cast. Director Joseph L Mankiewicz doesn't attempt to escape the theatrical confines of Shaffer's clever and convoluted screenplay; instead he concentrates--or diverts?--our attention with close-up details of the setting. Is he showing us clues or just more red herrings?

Like Agatha Christie's Mousetrap--which it rivalled in popularity on the West End stage--to say anything more about Sleuth would be to spoil the fun. But even when you've untangled the many and dizzying twists and turns, thanks to its literate screenplay and the magnetic performances of the leads this is a film that rewards repeated viewings. --Mark Walker

Special Features
French
English
Region 2
Biographies
Trailer
Film Notes
Photo Gallery
Location Gallery
23 Minute Featurette A Sleuthian Journey


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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars craftsmanship, 13 April 2003
.
Astonishingly well acted, this is one of those films that not so many people have seen and you feel like its one of 'your films', as though it were made with just you in mind. Its perfectly written, beautifully directed, the timing in the editing is spot on, the humour is just wry enough, I could go on and on.

Surprisingly, theres even a fascinating little featurette about the creation of the stage play then the subsequent screenplay and film.

If its out there, look for the other Michael Caine screenplay-to-film 'Deathtrap', with Christopher Reeve. Its almost as good and Christopher Reeve is excellent.

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Caine is more than Able., 28 April 2005
What a work of art this is - everything about it had 'Winner' stamped across it. Beautifully acted by both Sir Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, gifted with a glorious script from which to work. I loved this film the first time I ever saw it, and it ranks among my favourite Top 10 films of all time.

If you like cat and mouse games, you'll love this film. Not only do the two main characters constantly play mind games with each other, the film plays mind games with its audience, who can never really be sure exactly what's fact, and what's fiction.

A real pleasure to watch repeatedly.

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The viewer can only watch and be mesmerized, 5 Jan 2003
By Joseph Haschka (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Sleuth [VHS] [1972] (VHS Tape)
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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