Laughter in the Dark (1969)

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writers:

Edward Bond, Vladimir Nabokov (novel)

Stars:

Nicol Williamson, Anna Karina, Jean-Claude Drouot

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Nicol Williamson	...	Sir Edward More
Anna Karina	...	Margot
Jean-Claude Drouot	...	Herve Tourace
Peter Bowles	...	Paul
Siân Phillips	...	Lady Elizabeth More
Sebastian Breaks	...	Brian
Kate O'Toole	...	Amelia More
Edward Gardner	...	Driver
Sheila Burrell	...	Miss Porly
Willoughby Goddard	...	Colonel
Basil Dignam	...	Dealer
Philippa Urquhart	...	Philippa
Helen Booth	...	Maid

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | independent film

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

X

Details

Country:

France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Noite Infiel

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Marceau, Winkast Film Productions, Woodfall Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although we see the Nicol Williamson character entering the Curzon Cinema (a well-known London art-house in the 60s), where he first meets the Anna Karina character, the interior is that of a quite different cinema, the National Film Theatre on London's South Bank, about two miles away.

User Reviews

Under-appreciated...worth a second look

The movie version of Nabokov's pre-Lolita novel received mixed reviews when it was released in 1969. Among the movie's champions were Penelope Gilliatt of the New Yorker and Joseph Morgenstern, then writing for Newsweek. Richard Burton did not decline the male lead; he was fired at the start of the filming because of drunkeness. While his replacement, Nicol Williamson, was way too young for the part, Williamson gives an uncanny performance. He is matched by Anna Karina, who is excellent as the devious usherette who captivates him. This movie was one of her excursions into English-language cinema. "Laughter in the Dark" illustrates the phrase "Love is blind", both literally and figuratively. This movie should be made available on DVD and video, the better for movie lovers to admire its intelligence ,black humor and fine acting.