Sleuth (1972)

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.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Anthony Shaffer (play), Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)

Stars:

Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Alec Cawthorne

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Laurence Olivier	...	Andrew Wyke
Michael Caine	...	Milo Tindle
Alec Cawthorne	...	Inspector Doppler (credit only)
John Matthews	...	Detective Sergeant Tarrant (credit only)
Eve Channing	...	Marguerite Wyke (credit only)
Teddy Martin	...	Police Constable Higgs (credit only)

Storyline

Andrew Wyke is a famous and successful author of detective novels. Milo Tindle comes to him with a strange request, that Mr Wyke divorce his wife so that Tindle can marry her. Mr Wyke is not particularly perturbed by this, he and his wife have drifted apart, and he is having an affair with another woman anyway, but uses the meeting and Mr Tindle's request as a chance to play a game, a game with potentially deadly consequences.

---

Plot Keywords:

battle of wits | suspense | surprise ending | psychotronic film | huis clos | 

---

Taglines:

If it was murder, where's the body? If it was for a woman, which woman? If it's only a game, why the blood?

---

Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last theatrical movie of director Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

---

Goofs

(at around 18 mins) While Wyke is clearing the colours in the snooker game, he jumps from blue directly to black, even though the pink is on the table (in a previous shot), and in potting order comes between blue and black. Then, when the black is potted, the pink is nowhere to be seen.

---

Quotes

Inspector Doppler: Over the years my eyes have been adequately trained to see things for themselves, sir.

---

Connections

Referenced in Brando Unauthorized (2010)

---

Soundtracks

You do something to me
Words and music by Cole Porter

User Reviews

Sleuth

The stars have a ball with this exceptional adaptation of the award winning play from Anthony Shaffer, directed by Mankiewicz. Mystery writer Olivier invites his wife's lover, played by Caine to his lavish country home - perhaps to propose a scheme that would benefit both of them. Ah, but what's the real purpose. Stay poised and ready for thrills as both stars lead us through a devilishly cunning script, filled with a crackerjack conclusion. Both stars and their director were Oscar nominated.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

11 December 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sleuth

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$4,081,254

Company Credits

Production Co:

Palomar Pictures International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1