Product Details

• Actors: Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Alec Cawthorne, John Matthews (II), Margo Channing
• Directors: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, Letterboxed, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English, Italian
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Anchor Bay
• VHS Release Date: January 27, 1998
• Run Time: 139 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304808038
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,355 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Wicked, nasty, delicious fun. Laurence Olivier is a wealthy, veddy English mystery writer. He invites Michael Caine to his elaborate country house, in order to settle some rather unpleasant business between them: Caine is having an affair with Olivier's wife, and she is about to divorce the older man. Olivier, smooth as brandy, suggests that there might be a way the two men can help each other, but what appears to be an intriguing proposition escalates into a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Sleuth boasts a twisty script by Anthony Shaffer, calculated to drive an audience to distraction; and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve) shows a keen eye for the telling detail. But the real fun is watching Olivier and Caine go at each other hammer and tongs, a virtuoso wrestling match between two splendid actors (both were Oscar-nominated, but lost to Marlon Brando in The Godfather). Alec Cawthorne is also quite good as the inquisitive inspector on the case. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE NEW & IMPROVED DVD EDITION!!!, February 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sleuth (DVD)

Most of the reviews here refer to the OLD DVD edition (notice they are all from 2000 or before). The edition offered here is NEW, and a vast improvement. Don't let the old reviews prevent you from buying this new DVD.

45 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money!, July 15, 1999

By 

J. Fredricks "hiphoptwo" (Clemmons, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleuth (DVD)

This is a great movie - I have it on VHS and I saw it on Broadway. The DVD version is shovelware! No bonus material at all. No subtitles - no alternate languages - no bios - nothing! It is listed as the widescreen version, but it is presented in standard format with the picture and credits running off the side of the screen. To add insult to injury, you have to turn the disc over midway though the movie. Wait for somebody to bring out a better pressing.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still marvelous despite technical flaws, July 28, 2000

By 

Gogmagog "fan of all things music, movies and... (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sleuth (DVD)

Reading the reviews here, they all seem to make two points: 1) this is a wonderful film, and 2) this is a terrible DVD.

Well, #1 is definitely true. This is a wonderful film, deliciously dark. Marvelously written, directed, and acted. To tell much would endanger giving away the plot, but the basis of the story is a proposition by Olivier's aging writer to Caine's virile salon owner (who happens to be sleeping with Olivier's wife)of a scheme to rid Olivier of his wife for good and guarantee Caine financial security. The ride starts there and never stops. Cynical viewers (like myself) who think they're clever enough to stay two steps ahead will think they can anticipate all of the twists and turns, and they may catch a few ahead of time, but I can guarantee that any viewer will be delighted with the surprises this film has in store. Just when you think you know which way it's going it turns again. Just when you think it's over, there's a bit more.

As far as #2 goes, I don't have too many bad things to say about the DVD presentation. Yes, the ratio is barely 1.66:1. Yes, the sound is of middling quality. And, yes, you do have to flip the disc halfway through. BUT - it appears as if this DVD has fallen out of print, so I'm sure an improved reissue is around the corner. This film is worth having in any form regardless - it's the type of picture you won't mind paying for twice.