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Brimstone & Treacle (1982)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
12 November 1982 (USA) moreTagline:
An intriguing fantasy of angelic innocence and devilish passion.Plot:
A strange young man has a sinister effect on the family of a middle-aged writer. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
1 win moreUser Comments:
Cult Movies 33 moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Sting | ... | Martin Taylor | |
| Denholm Elliott | ... | Tom Bates | |
| Joan Plowright | ... | Norma Bates | |
| Suzanna Hamilton | ... | Patricia Bates | |
| Benjamin Whitrow | ... | Businessman | |
| Dudley Sutton | ... | Stroller | |
| Mary MacLeod | ... | Valerie Holdsworth | |
| Tim Preece | ... | Clergyman | |
| Elizabeth Bradley | ... | Woman Passer By | |
| Hugh Walters | ... | Man | |
| Christopher Fairbanks | ... | Drunk |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
87 minCountry:
UKLanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Singapore:M18 | UK:X (original rating) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:MFilming Locations:
Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UKFun Stuff
Trivia:
According to a recent biography of 'Sting', the role of Taylor had been turned down by both David Bowie and Malcolm McDowell. moreSoundtrack:
Bless this house moreFAQ
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33. BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE (thriller-drama, 1982) Martin (Sting) befriends middle-aged bookkeeper Tom (Denholm Elliott). Martin cons his way into his house by passing himself as friend to his daughter. Daughter Patricia has been left a mute and bedridden for 3 years after a mysterious car accident. Though Tom is suspicious of Martin's exact motives, his wife is beguiled by Martin's charm. But what they don't know is that Martin is sexually abusing their defenseless and disabled daughter.
Critique: Part fairy tale, part religious parable, this creepy, atmospheric film is highlighted by a wickedly perverse turn by Sting (lead singer of rock group 'The Police'). What makes his character such a bizarre figure is that his motives are unknown, his appetites unresolved.
I think Martin is just a thief, passing himself as anyone's friend just to have a place to stay. A sort of pickpocket. He's also a sexual deviant who doesn't mind how he gets it, either from an invalid or an old woman. The film portrays him as an avenging angel-type, brought into this deeply secular home as a purger of sins.
Interesting direction by Richard Loncraine (is this his film debut?) who works from a play adapted by Dennis Potter, whose own sexually dubious works are to be questioned.
'The Police', along with 'The Go-Gos' provided the 'hip' soundtrack.