When I saw that Ian McShane and Patrick Macnee were involved in these shows, I was initially encouraged. Then I watched the first one "In the Frame". I've been a Dick Francis fan for 25 years and was pretty disappointed when I saw the plot, location and character changes they made in this Irish/Canada production. Even given the somewhat dated look, the production values are not bad (except for the music, which is dreadful). But if you wanted to see any British countryside fuggeddaboutit! And did I mention the story lines are not at all true to the original novels which so captivated me when I read them? Watch if you like to look at Ian McShane and haven't read the books yet, but don't expect to be thrilled. I kept thinking, "What did Dick Francis think when he saw these?"
4 Reviews
What a complete load of rubbish
nigelholland11 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
What can I say, badly acted, no plot the only high point was of of the funniest death scenes in film/TV history. As one of the villains is accidentally shot his dying words of "Youv'e only gone and bloody killed me !!!" proved far more entertaining than the rest of the film put together. Dick Frances is renowned for his strong plots, it's a pity that this company didn't have the sense to follow any of them, instead making up this crappy uncomplicated story that amazes the view by having no plot twists what so ever. What you see is what you get. The murder mystery element is non existent and you never really find out who killed the character in the first scene. How the police though it was an accident with evidence just lying around the murder scene.
A complete farce from start to finish.
A complete farce from start to finish.
I wanted to like this, but alas.
feeneyorama31 August 2014
As a longtime fan of Dick Francis books, I was very keen to watch Twice Shy. What a total disappointment this was. The acting was simply appalling. Ian McShane is absolutely dreadful in this and totally wrong for the part of David Cleveland. The woman who played the part of Donna Keithley was so bad she was actually funny. At one point she sees a car on the road from inside her house and screams like she has seen a monster. The so-called villains are hilarious and utter lines totally devoid from reality. This movie has one of the funniest death scenes ever shot on film. Has to be seen to be believed. Having previously watched In the Frame and thinking nothing could be as bad as it, I realise I was wrong. Twice Shy is much much worse. Do yourself a favour and do not watch this as it is approximately ninety minutes of your life you will never get back. The clothing, hairstyles and telephones all look very dated in this production which considering when it was made is not surprising, but watching someone having to extend an aerial on a phone before they speak looks comical now. The computers look huge and bulky too compared to how they are today.
awesome!
Jack-Torrance20 August 2004
this film is not only an action packed thriller starring acclaimed actor Ian mcshane, it's a tribute to the modern economical society that we live in today.
The fact that the plot is centered around people stealing money and something to do with horse racing might give you a clue as to what this little gem has to offer. A gripping script, complete with witty off comments from mcshane and antagonists that never fail to surprise and surpass all expectations of what Hollywood villains should be. The delicate issue of doing naughty things in the horse racing business is raised in this movie, and after which it was released an attempted ban by the FBI was conducted because it was deemed 'anarchic' by authorities. The taboo is now a forgotten part of history, and now anyone is able to make films about crime in horse racing if they want to. Well done dick Francis and the director.
This is a movie that will excite, entertain, and occasionally amuse! I recommend this for an older audience, mainly because of coarse language from mcshane and violence from the outset.
9/10
The fact that the plot is centered around people stealing money and something to do with horse racing might give you a clue as to what this little gem has to offer. A gripping script, complete with witty off comments from mcshane and antagonists that never fail to surprise and surpass all expectations of what Hollywood villains should be. The delicate issue of doing naughty things in the horse racing business is raised in this movie, and after which it was released an attempted ban by the FBI was conducted because it was deemed 'anarchic' by authorities. The taboo is now a forgotten part of history, and now anyone is able to make films about crime in horse racing if they want to. Well done dick Francis and the director.
This is a movie that will excite, entertain, and occasionally amuse! I recommend this for an older audience, mainly because of coarse language from mcshane and violence from the outset.
9/10
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