Double X: The Name of the Game (1992)

While taking a holiday in Scotland, American traveller Michael Cooper pulls elderly man Arthur Clutten into his car following an explosion at a hotel. Cooper discovers Clutten's back story, and learns why people are out to kill him.

Director:

Shani Grewal (as Shani S Grewal)

Writers:

Shani Grewal (screenplay) (as Shani S Grewal), David Fleming (based in part on a short story: 'Vengence')

Stars:

Norman Wisdom, William Katt, Gemma Craven

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Norman Wisdom	...	Arthur Clutten
William Katt	...	Michael Cooper
Gemma Craven	...	Jenny Eskridge
Simon Ward	...	Edward Ross
Bernard Hill	...	Iggy / Iggy Smith
Leon Herbert	...	Ollie
Chloë Annett	...	Sarah (as Chloe Annett)
Derren Nesbitt	...	The Minister
Vladek Sheybal	...	Pawnbroker
Terry Forrestal	...	Swarthy Man
Steve Calrow	...	Detective (as Steve Carlow)
Roger Low	...	Foreman
Clifford Predgen	...	Prisoner
Rod Stenna	...	Associate
Elwin 'Chopper' David	...	Ross' Bodyguard (as Elwin-A-David)

Storyline

While taking a holiday in Scotland, American traveller Michael Cooper pulls elderly man Arthur Clutten into his car following an explosion at a hotel. Cooper discovers Clutten's back story, and learns why people are out to kill him.

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Plot Keywords:

gunfight | bank robbery | torture | car chase | double cross | 

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Genres:

Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Norman Wisdom's first film role in 20 years.

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Goofs

After Maurice's (Norman Wisdom) car explodes in the hotel car park Michael Cooper (William Katt) pulls him into his car and speeds away pursued by another car. Some distance down the road, Maurice skids round a corner leaving tyre skid marks on the road. There are already marks on the road as if from a first take. Maurice is forced to reverse back round the corner, skids round, leaving more marks and drives off with the other car in pursuit. By this time, there are more skid marks on the road than there should be, indicating that there'd been a number of takes.

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Quotes

Arthur Clutten: You on holiday too, Mr Cooper?
Michael Cooper: No, I'm afraid not, I'm actually running away.
Arthur Clutten: From what?
Michael Cooper: Love, Mr Rigby, you must have been in love. If it doesn't work out you either kill yourself or you run away to forget. And its not in my religion to try suicide.
Arthur Clutten: Sometimes living can be just as painful.

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Crazy Credits

The sub-title "The Name Of The Game" is displayed as though in neon lights, which then flicker and some go out to change it to "Name The Game".

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Connections

Version of Vengeance (1984)

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Soundtracks

I've Been Waiting
Performed by Julian Littman
Written by Julian Littman & Raphael Ravenscroft (as Raf Ravenscroft)
Courtesy of Studio Two Publishing & Virgin Music Publishers
Music engineered by Andy Tate

User Reviews

What an odd little film

DOUBLE X: THE NAME OF THE GAME is one of those long-forgotten independent films that came out during the 1990s, when a lot of young directors suddenly found themselves with the means to make their own movies unconstrained by the studios. This one's directed by a guy better known for his work on the BBC TV series DOCTORS and apparently based on a novel by an author nobody's heard of, which doesn't bode well.

It turns out to be an unwieldy little gangster film featuring Norman Wisdom in the leading role. Norman Wisdom! Yes, I couldn't quite believe it myself either. It's very odd to see Wisdom playing it straight and as an elderly hero type, although casting him as the young woman's father instead of grandfather was a very odd decision. There are even a couple of action scenes which are incredibly embarrassing for the old-time comedian. Bless him. He's not the world's greatest actor, but you love him anyway because he's Wisdom.

The film features a second lead in the form of CARRIE star William Katt. He's obviously been shoehorned into the plot in a bid to appeal to American audiences who'd no doubt scratch their heads at the prospect of seeing some old duffer as the main character. Katt feels wooden and uncomfortable, but being a fan of the actor I liked him anyway. The film begins quite promisingly with explosions and car chases and the like before descending into inanity with a boring, drawn-out back story with some very unsatisfying plot twists.

Basically, Wisdom plays a bad guy surrounded by even more ruthless gangster types. A bit of back-and-forth back-stabbing plays out, along with some mild thriller elements, but it's not particularly believable and the story seems to literally fall apart as it goes on. To compensate for this, a bunch of familiar faces have been brought into play. Bernard Hill and Simon Ward are here, alongside cameos for Derren Nesbitt and Vladek Sheybal, and the gorgeous RED DWARF actress Chloe Annett. Their presence doesn't make DOUBLE X a good film, but it is a fun oddity to seek out.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 June 1992 (UK)

Also Known As:

Double X

Filming Locations:

Chauntry House Hotel, Bray, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

String of Pearls Production, New World International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Technicolor)