Ordeal by Innocence (1984)

Paleontologist Dr. Arthur Calgary visits the Argyle family to give them an address book that belongs to Jack Argyle. But he is told that Jack has been executed for the murder of his wife. ... See full summary »

Director:

Desmond Davis

Writers:

Agatha Christie (based on the novel by), Alexander Stuart (screenplay)

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Plummer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Dr. Arthur Calgary
Faye Dunaway	...	Rachel Argyle
Christopher Plummer	...	Leo Argyle
Sarah Miles	...	Mary Durant
Ian McShane	...	Philip Durant
Diana Quick	...	Gwenda Vaughan
Annette Crosbie	...	Kirsten Lindstrom
Michael Elphick	...	Inspector Huish
George Innes	...	Archie Leach
Valerie Whittington	...	Hester Argyle
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Tina Argyle
Michael Maloney	...	Micky Argyle
Cassie Stuart	...	Maureen Clegg
Anita Carey	...	Martha Jessup
Ron Pember	...	Ferryman

Storyline

Paleontologist Dr. Arthur Calgary visits the Argyle family to give them an address book that belongs to Jack Argyle. But he is told that Jack has been executed for the murder of his wife. But the address book can prove that Jack was innocent, so Dr. Calgary starts the investigation all over.

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Plot Keywords:

address book | murder | bludgeoned to death | nudity | woman kills woman | 

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Taglines:

Once the murder was solved, the real mystery began...

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 May 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Forca para Um Inocente

Filming Locations:

Dartmouth, Devon, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London-Cannon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All of Faye Dunaway's cameo is a black and white flashback.

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Connections

Version of Marple: Ordeal by Innocence (2007)

User Reviews

The plot was wonderful, despite being buried in an overproduced, overstylized film.

I have never seen so much talent and money used to produce anything so bad in my entire life! As stated in other commentaries, a who's who of talent, such as, Christopher Plummer, Faye Dunaway, Donald Sutherland, and many more were thrown together in a film that is not recognizable as an Agatha Christie story. I keep thinking of how it could be with the same cast, done the right way.

The film has even less intimacy than the Christopher Reeves 'Superman' movies. The large cast makes the slick production even less effective than in those films, because there is not enough time to get to know anyone. Dave Brubeck's progressive jazz soundtrack had me wondering if the wrong video was in the the case from the rental store. The music became more and more offensive as the plot progressed. It's hard to say whether the soundtrack or the annoying technique of repeating information from earlier scenes, was more offensive. From someone who has seen most Christie films (that's what attracted me to this, it was one of the few I hadn't seen) miss this one. It is not an Agatha Christie movie. Golan-Globus are better suited to producing flicks about big time wrestling, rather than the snug atmosphere of English mystery.