Sleuth (1972)

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Anthony Shaffer (play)
Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If it was murder, where's the body? [original movie poster]

Plot:

A man who loves games and theater invites his wife's lover to meet him, setting up a battle of wits with potentially deadly results.

Plot Keywords:

Clown | Disguise | All Male Cast | Shot | Hairdresser

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Laurence Olivier	...	Andrew Wyke
Michael Caine	...	Milo Tindle
Alec Cawthorne	...	Inspector Doppler
John Matthews	...	Detective Sergeant Tarrant
Eve Channing	...	Marguerite Wyke
Teddy Martin	...	Police Constable Higgs

Also Known As:

Detektyw (Poland) [pl]
Dobbeltspil (Denmark) [da]
Huella, La (Spain) [es]
Insospettabili, Gli (Italy) [it]
Jogo Mortal (Brazil) [pt]
Kanli saka (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Limier, Le (France) [fr]
Mord mit kleinen Fehlern (West Germany) [de]
Pirullista peliä (Finland) [fi]
Sleuth (Sweden) [sv]
Sleuth - spårhunden (Sweden) [sv]
Trama Diabólica (Brazil) [pt]

Runtime:

138 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:15 | Iceland:12 | Netherlands:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Sweden:15 | UK:AA | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Athelhampton House, Athelhampton, Dorset, England, UK

Company:

Palomar Pictures

Trivia:

John Addison was nominated for an Oscar for his music score. However, he was not originally among the five nominees when the nominations were announced. He was added to the list after the score for The Godfather (1972) was deemed ineligible.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After Inspector Doppler rings the door bell the first time, and Andrew checks the door, the cameraman's shadow is visible on the wall before he passes the window.

Quotes:

Inspector Doppler: Not to appear facetious, sir, but you had better tell that to a judge.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Wicker Man Enigma (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

You do something to me

The ultimate "thinking persons" movie.

When Britain does it right....no one can come close to it! This was just such a movie. A filmed version of Anthony Shaffer's own wonderful stage play, the brilliance needed to sustain 138 minutes attention between just two people in three or four rooms of a single house - should not be underestimated. Olivier is in his element as the upper crust land-owner who invites Alfie-esque hairdresser Caine to his mansion, simply to acknowledge his wife's infidelity with him and to inform Caine that he is messing with the wrong guy.

The dialog driven plot is probably beyond the grasp of most younger viewers, but is a veritable revelation for those seeking to be entertained on a grand scale. As important a player as anyone else, the house itself and its many wondrous artifacts are simply stunning. How the tables are turned and the roles reversed? Without doubt, one of the greatest films ever made.

As for Alex Cawthorne's stunning performance as Inspector Doppler, what can I say? Its almost as is he wasn't there!