Reflections of Murder (1974) (TV)

Director:

John Badham

Writers:

Pierre Boileau (novel)
Thomas Narcejac (novel)

Release Date:

24 November 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Mystery

Plot:

The wife and mistress of the abusive headmaster of a boy's school plot and carry out his murder. They...

Plot Keywords:

Mistress | Beautiful Woman | Foreign Language Adaptation | Based On Novel

Cast

Tuesday Weld	...	Vicky
Joan Hackett	...	Claire Elliott
Sam Waterston	...	Michael Elliott
Lucille Benson	...	Mrs. Turner
Michael Lerner	...	Jerry Steele
R.G. Armstrong	...	Mr. Turner
Ed Bernard	...	Coroner
William Turner	...	Mr. Griffiths
Lance Kerwin	...	Chip
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pattie J. Barbosa	...	Girl On the Beach
Sandra Coburn	...	Woman
Rita Conde	...	Maid
Sam Henriot	...	David
John Levin	...	Keith
James A. Newcombe	...	Peter
Daniel Selby	...	Young Student
Don Sparks	...	Photographer
Jesse Vint	...	Cop on Freeway

Also Known As:

Diabolique II (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Filming Locations:

Port Angeles, Washington, USA

Company:

ABC Circle Films

Movie Connections:

Version of House of Secrets (1993) (TV)

Minor Problems Don't Detract Much From A Good Nail Biter

This is a good suspense flick about two women who conspire to murder a man who is the husband of one, and the lover of the other. Then, after committing the crime, they aren't able to find the body.

I haven't seen too much of Sam Waterston's early work, but I thought he was very good as Michael Elliott, the abusive husband and boyfriend, and the target of the murder scheme. Tuesday Weld put on a surprisingly good performance as the heartless mastermind of the crime (Vicky) - a role I wouldn't have expected to have suited her particularly well. As far as the main actors were concerned, the only disappointment was Joan Hackett as Elliott's wife Claire. Her performance might be best described as inconsistent: very good in some places, and at other times painfully artificial. The story was a good one, and it certainly kept me guessing all the way through.

The last scene of the movie weakened the whole thing, unfortunately, even though it didn't really have too much to do with the story that the movie had focussed on. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that the last scene made a really good movie end on a note of sheer silliness for no apparent reason. That, and Hackett's inconsistency, detract from the movie, but not seriously. Overall this is still well worth watching, and I rated is as an 8/10.