Wonderwall (1968)

The eccentric professor Collins lives completely secluded in his chaotic apartment. When the model Penny moves in next to him, he becomes fascinated of her. He drills holes in her walls and... See full summary »

Director:

Joe Massot

Writers:

Gérard Brach (story), Guillermo Cabrera Infante (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack MacGowran, Jane Birkin, Irene Handl

Cast

Credited cast:
Jack MacGowran	...	Prof. Oscar Collins
Jane Birkin	...	Penny Lane
Irene Handl	...	Mrs. Peurofoy
Richard Wattis	...	Perkins
Iain Quarrier	...	Young Man
Beatrix Lehmann	...	Mother
Brian Walsh	...	Photographer
Sean Lynch	...	Riley
Bee Duffell	...	Mrs. Charmer
Noel Trevarthen	...	Policeman
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Suki Potier	...	Girl at party

Storyline

The eccentric professor Collins lives completely secluded in his chaotic apartment. When the model Penny moves in next to him, he becomes fascinated of her. He drills holes in her walls and ceiling and peeps on her day and night. He loses himself in daydreams and delusions.

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Plot Keywords:

surrealism | voyeurism | independent film

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Taglines:

...LET YOUR MIND WONDER...

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

Bakom kärleksmuren

Filming Locations:

Notting Hill, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alan Clore Films, Compton Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie gained an undeserved reputation for "never having been shown", because while it did have a Cannes premiere (winning an award), and other selected art-house showings in the late 1960s, no distribution deal was ever worked out, and the movie never had a wide release. (A low-quality print finally found its way onto the American midnight movie circuit, and later to home video.) The restored version got good reviews, and wider distribution, including a DVD release through Rhino Video.

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Connections

Referenced in Out (1982)

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Soundtracks

"Fantasy Sequins"
Written and Recorded by George Harrison

User Reviews

Peeping Tom Psychedelia

Any movie that is defended with the idea that it can only be enjoyed by viewing after taking drugs... well, c'mon, you know it's got to be pretty bad. And this is bad, no mistake about it. Sure, it's very colorful, and for the drug-inclined it's an eye-popping visual "overdose" of nostalgic psychedelia...

But at the the heart of this foolish fruity farrago is an offensive story of a geeky middle-aged man obsessing pervertedly over a pretty young woman living next door -- that obsession fueled by non-stop Peeping Tom activity. This sick invasion of privacy is treated as an excitable, joyous, comical diversion. It leads the geek professor to wild flights of fancy and lunatic dreams, giving us plenty of bizarre sequences filmed in full 60's psychedelic-meets-Richard Lester glory. But, wacky comedy-wise, it's weak tea in comparison to Lester's 'The Knack' or 'Help!' And considering the obvious Lester-Beatles influence (including the actor playing Birkin's boyfriend having a distinct Liverpudlian accent) it's no surprise that George Harrison provides the score.

Too bad that the score is awful. Whole scenes go by with virtually no dialogue, thus a catchy pop score from Harrison would be welcome, and add to the nostalgic value of the film beyond the psychedelia. Unfortunately we get the Shankar-sauce sitar-period Harrison. Only those finding a nostalgic trip from Indian music that sounds like the wailing of out-of-tune violins (or worse, the sound of a cat trapped inside bagpipes) will be pleased. Otherwise, it's an ear-offending slog.

And otherwise, filmically, you get a frantic but professional performance from Jack Macgowran, a lot of eye-catching shots of pretty cult-figure Jane Birkin, and a few comic bits that work.