Deadfall (1968)

Cat burglar Henry Clarke and his accomplices the Moreaus attempt to steal diamonds from the chateau of millionaire Salinas.

Director:

Bryan Forbes

Writers:

Desmond Cory (novel), Bryan Forbes (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Giovanna Ralli, Eric Portman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Caine	...	Henry Stuart Clarke
Giovanna Ralli	...	Fé Moreau
Eric Portman	...	Richard Moreau
David Buck	...	Salinas
Leonard Rossiter	...	Fillmore
Geraldine Sherman	...	Delgado's Receptionist
Carlos Pierre	...	Antonio
Vladek Sheybal	...	Dr. Delgado
Renata Tarrago	...	Guitar Soloist
Nanette Newman	...	Girl
Emilio Rodríguez	...	Police Captain
Carmen Dene	...	Masseuse
Reg Howell	...	Spanish Chauffeur
John Barry	...	Symphony Orchestra Conductor
Santiago Rivero	...	Armed Guard

Storyline

Cat burglar Henry Clarke and his accomplices the Moreaus attempt to steal diamonds from the chateau of millionaire Salinas.

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Plot Keywords:

burglar | break in | mansion | homosexual | jewel thief | 

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Taglines:

Michael Caine plunges into the world of the adulterous... the treacherous... and the perverse!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angustia mortal

Filming Locations:

Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Salamander Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Freddie Jones and Maxine Audley were attached to this project at one stage

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Quotes

Henry Stuart Clarke: I don't want to perpetuate myself.

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Connections

Referenced in Naked Angels (1969)

User Reviews

A neglected, wonderful film, apparently a thriller, but filled with interesting and troubling subplots.

I first came across this film in Ankara, Turkey in the 1970's and have been looking for it since. It's a "heist" film on the surface, a cat burglar after jewels. But it's far more than this, with troubling, dark sexual overtones. It features the actual "deadfall" against the background of Aranjuez' guitar concerto, and the suspense is terrific, especially the acting, with Caine at his underplaying best, and Eric Portman stealing the show with a subtle, great performance. Why this film is not a cult classic I don't know, unless its dark side is too much for viewers. It's really unforgetable, as proven by its 25 year hold on my imagination.