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IMDb > Sleuth (1972)
Sleuth
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Photos (see all 13 | slideshow) Videos
Sleuth (1972) -- Jude Law and Michael Caine sit down with Michele Jarchin of The Showbuzz to discuss their rapport on set of the new drama, "Sleuth."

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Anthony Shaffer (play)
Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Sleuth on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 December 1972 (USA) more
Genre:
Mystery | Thriller more
Tagline:
If it was murder, where's the body? [original movie poster] more
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. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Sleuth (2007 Version) Movie Review
 (From MoviesOnline. 29 June 2009, 8:00 PM, PDT)

Sleuth (1972 Version) Movie Review
 (From MoviesOnline. 29 June 2009, 8:00 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
One of the best thrillers ever. more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Additional Details

Runtime:
138 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English | Italian
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Last film of Joseph L. Mankiewicz. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Inspector Doppler is interviewing Andrew on Sunday Morning, Andrew's paper is folded and put over the arm of his chair twice. more
Quotes:
Milo Tindle: Why don't you ask yourself how your man Merridick would go about the search?
Andrew Wyke: Merridew! St. John Lord Merridew!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in George Stevens: The Filmmakers Who Knew Him (2001) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Anything goes more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Sleuth" based on a novel?
Any recommendations for other murder mystery movies like "Sleuth"?
more
52 out of 66 people found the following comment useful:-
One of the best thrillers ever., 8 October 2003
Author: Jonathon Dabell (barnaby.rudge@hotmail.co.uk) from Wakefield, England

Sleuth is based on an outstanding stage play by Anthony Shaffer. Sometimes, a work which succeeded on the stage doesn't transfer well to the big screen. Movies like Equus and Dangerous Corner - which were a delight in theatres - lose their power under the close scrutiny of a film camera. Sleuth is not a failure. It retains its stagebound plot, characters and dialogue, but somehow manages to be totally engrossing as well.

Part of the joy is due to Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. The two giants of Britsh acting don't chew the scenery in an attempt to out-shine each other; they complement each other quite brilliantly and turn in two of the finest screen performances you could ever aspire to see. Olivier plays elderly author Andrew Wyke, an obscenely wealthy, well-educated and devious man. Caine is Milo Tindle, a charming, ever-polite young hairdresser. Milo visits Andrew to ask for his blessing in marrying his estranged wife. Although Andrew seems fairly open to the idea of giving away his wife (after all, they despise each other) he still feels stung by her exit, so he engineers a cruel game to humiliate Milo. But who is playing a trick on who?

The dialogue is terrific, but it needed terrific actors to get the best out of it. Caine and Oloivier do a fine job. Ken Adams' set design turns Olivier's gorgeous palatial house into a dazzling mansion of madness. The tinkly music by John Addison creates a playful yet ever-so-slightly uncomfortable mood. Joseph L. Mankiewicz directs perfectly, getting maximum suspense from his staging of scenes and thoughtful choice of camera angles. The twists are superbly disguised, especially the awesome "shock" climax which will blow you away. See Sleuth - it's one of the best!

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What the hell is... stunnersmp
Films similar to this? UbiquitousCouch
Did he really die? Or didn't he? imhlong
The game Wyke was playing UbiquitousCouch
Location photographs uploaded today MrLocation
best acting duo ever seen on the movie sceen Salonetc
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