They Might Be Giants (1971)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Anthony Harvey

Writers:

James Goldman (play)
James Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 February 1972 (Sweden)

Genre:

Mystery | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

When they reach out for each other... they touch every heart... with warmth, charm and laughter!

Plot:

They Might be Giants chronicles the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in modern-day New York City...

Plot Keywords:

Sherlock Holmes | Psychiatrist | Mental Patient | Supermarket | Hermit

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Justin Playfair
Joanne Woodward	...	Dr. Mildred Watson
Jack Gilford	...	Wilbur Peabody
Lester Rawlins	...	Blevins Playfair
Al Lewis	...	Messenger
Rue McClanahan	...	Daisy Playfair
Ron Weyand	...	Dr. Strauss
Oliver Clark	...	Mr. Small
Theresa Merritt	...	Peggy
Jenny Egan	...	Miss Finch
Jane Hoffman	...	2nd Telephone Operator
Michael McGuire	...	Telephone Guard
Eugene Roche	...	Policeman
James Tolkan	...	Mr. Brown
Kitty Winn	...	Grace

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

This film provided US Alternative rock outfit 'They Might be Giants' with their name.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Scott and Woodward are riding in a taxi, from his angle the cab is stopped; from her angle the cab is moving.

Quotes:

Dr. Mildred Watson: You're just like Don Quixote. You think that everything is always something else.
Justin Playfair: Well, he had a point. 'Course he carried it a bit too far. He thought that every windmill was a giant. That's insane. But, thinking that they might be, well... All the best minds used to think the world was flat. But what if it isn't? It might be round. And bread mold might be medicine. If we never looked at things and thought of what might be, why we'd all still be out there in the tall grass with the apes.

Movie Connections:

References Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel (1937)

Magical film, full of poetry

If you look for flaws in this film you will find plenty. Still, I gave this film a 10 vote because it has overriding qualities which are extremely rare. It is a magical film, full of poetry, it touches you where other films cannot reach. It creates a fantasy world of its own in the midst of modern society, a fantasy world which is utterly implausible and yet so compellingly persuasive.

The cast of this gem is mesmerisingly excellent, all parts I can think of are cast with character actors who on their own have stolen entire films from the stars. The central performance by George C. Scott is majestic, and so is John Barry's wonderful score. The film contains many memorable scenes, but outstanding amongst the lot is the supermarket scene. If I had to compile a list of the ten best scenes ever put to celluloid, this would be included.

Unique.