IMDb > The Spiral Staircase (1975)

The Spiral Staircase (1975) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
4.8/10   158 votes
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Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Peter Collinson
Writers:
Mel Dinelli (1946 screenplays)
Chris Bryant (writer)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Spiral Staircase on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 1975 (Finland) more
Genre:
Horror | Mystery | Thriller more
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
no tolerance for imperfection more (9 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Jacqueline Bisset ... Helen Mallory

Christopher Plummer ... Dr. Joe Sherman
John Phillip Law ... Steven Sherman (as John Philip Law)
Sam Wanamaker ... Lt. Fields
Mildred Dunnock ... Mrs. Sherman
Gayle Hunnicutt ... Blanche

Elaine Stritch ... Nurse
John Ronane ... Dr. Rawley
Sheila Brennan ... Mrs. Oates
Ronald Radd ... Oates
Heather Lowe ... Heather (Blind girl)
Christopher Malcolm ... Policeman
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
86 min | Germany:89 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:A | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15
Filming Locations:
Binfield Manor, Binfield Road, Warfield, Berkshire, England, UK more
Company:
Raven Films more

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Remade as The Spiral Staircase (2000) (TV) more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
no tolerance for imperfection, 23 March 2007
5/10
Author: Lee Eisenberg (eisenberg.lee@gmail.com) from Portland, Oregon, USA

I was surprised when I learned that "The Spiral Staircase" was a remake of an earlier movie, and that it's been remade since. The movie is actually little that we haven't seen before: disabled - in this case mute - woman (Jacqueline Bisset) suspects that someone is trying to kill her, she moves in with family, and there's eventually a big showdown. And the ending was pretty anticlimactic; at one point, you can basically tell what's going to happen.

However, there was one thing that I derived from the movie. Christopher Plummer's character in one scene talks about no tolerance for imperfection. We in the 21st century have taken that to the extreme. We want everyone made up so that they all look the same, we go for style over substance, and more. Then again, I'm probably reading too far into the movie, as it was most likely intended as a straight thriller (although it doesn't really thrill).

Anyway, it's a mediocre way to pass time. Also starring Elaine Stritch and John Philip Law (the "Barbarella" angel).

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