Customer Reviews

Sleuth [VHS]

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The 1972 release, SLEUTH, is one of those movies that one watches, and then exclaims, "Wow!"

Michael Caine plays Milo Tindle, a lowborn, cheeky hairdresser called down from London to visit Andrew Wyke on his rambling country estate. Andrew, played by Sir Laurence Olivier, is a class conscious, game-addicted, petty snob who writes award-winning detective stories. Milo also happens to be having an affair with Andrew's wife, Marguerite. On the other hand, Andrew is currently dallying with a local masseuse, Téa. Both men have cash flow problems. Milo hasn't enough to keep Marguerite in the lifestyle to which she's become accustomed, and Andrew has been beggared by ruinous British taxes. So, Andrew, being a self-proclaimed expert on crime whose literary detective creation, Lord Merrydew, always manages to make the official constabulary look like fools, invites Milo to join him in a mutually lucrative scam. The Plan: a suitably costumed Milo will "burgle" jewelry from Andrew's safe, fence it for an enormous sum, and be free to marry Marguerite, while Andrew happily collects the insurance money and enjoys his Siren of the moment. Andrew is not completely happy about his wife's adultery, but, after all, true gentleman can come to some convenient arrangement. Quite right!

Thus begins an intricate series of role-within-role-playing games played magnificently by these two phenomenal English actors. From the viewers' perspective, the challenge is to determine when the make-believe ends and real life reasserts itself. Thus, not only is SLEUTH an absorbing mystery story, but the roles within roles also create a resounding paean to the profession of acting. After SLEUTH, I don't think it was quite so cleverly done until 1997's FACE-OFF.

Both Caine and Olivier were nominated for Best Actor Oscars for their performances in this film. Sadly, neither won. In despite of that appalling injustice, this is one of those films that I can watch over and over again, and never fail to be delighted.

For those of you who have been disappointed by the version of Sleuth in the white box, take heart and trade up to the black one. The film is widescreen, entirely presented on one side, and the sound is excellent. In addition, the DVD includes an interview with playwright Andrew Shaffer about the conception, original staging and film adaptation of "Sleuth." If you haven't already seen this most brilliant of screen thrillers, please kill yourself now.

As an earlier reviewers has pointed out, Anchor Bay has released TWO different prints of Sleuth, so you'll want to be careful which release you purchase. The older release had an unsatisfactory transfer that looked very bad. That version was a flipper disc and was packaged with a WHITE cover, and Anchor Bay has wisely let it go out of print. Avoid it! (Unless you collect OOP DVDs....)

The newer release has a BLACK cover and boasts a much improved transfer. (Just compare the vibrancy of the colors in the film to the muted colors in the unrestored trailers to see what I mean.) In addition to putting the whole film on one side of the disc, Anchor Bay also included an extensive and fairly interesting interview with writer Anthony Shaffer. This version is probably definitive -- and certainly the one to buy.

Apparently, however, Anchor Bay is going to let this release go out of print, too. (It has disappeared from their online catalogue.) So buy this quickly if you have any interest in it at all. I can't imagine any other company giving this film a better overall treatment.

The idea of a movie with only two actors in it may not sound overly exciting, but when you watch "Sleuth" for the first time, you realize that it couldn't have worked any other way. For many years, "Sleuth" has been one of my favorite movies, and remains so to this day. It is cleverly written and superbly acted by both Michael Caine (my all time favorite actor) and Sir Laurence Olivier.

The tag line "Think of the perfect crime...then go one step further" describes exactly what the movie is all about. Olivier plays Andrew Wyke, an eccentric and revered mystery writer invites Milo Tindle (Caine) over to his mansion over a weekend in order to discuss the terms of his affair with his wife. Wyke is known as a lover of toys, games, and deviously cunning games of trickery that he plays on people. Wyke has known for some time that Tindle has been having an affair with his wife, and that he intends to marry her. Wyke sees an opportunity to unload his wife, without the possibility of her coming back and getting deeper into his pocketbook. Knowing him to be broke, Wyke proposes to Tindle a robbery scheme that will solve both of their problems. Things got a bit awry. What happens next would be criminal to give away, but it is one of the most brilliantly crafted farces I have ever seen in a movie.

"Sleuth" was adapted from the stage play by Anthony Shaffer, and it plays out very much like the play itself. There is one setting, two actors, and lots of dialogue. It works very well, because it wasn't overdone in production. I cannot see how this could have worked with a more elaborate setting or cast. What carries the movie are the performances by Caine and Olivier, which ranks among their personal best (and picking ones from such distinguished careers is hard). Their interaction between each other is riveting, since their characters are so cunning. "Sleuth" was made in 1971, and 30 years on, every aspect of the movie has aged well. It is one of those movies that makes time stand still, and you are unaware that 2 hours has gone by at the end of it. That is the token of a great movie.

The Anchor Bay DVD boasts the best transfer and sound quality of "Sleuth" so far, though the previous versions were also very good (including the VHS, which is rare for older movies). The main supplement is the 20 minute featurette "A Sleuthian Journey with Anthony Shaffer", in which the famous playwright is interviewed on his experiences with the play, the making of the movie, and his interactions with the filmmakers. He is jovial and gives plenty of fun anecdotes throughout the interview. Aside from that, there are talent bios and the usual trailers and TV spots. Considering the age and modest budget, not much in the way of extras should be expected.

"Sleuth" is a rare movie that I can watch over and over again, and I am pleased to see that Anchor Bay did justice to the movie with this excellent (and modestly priced) DVD. An easy purchase for any movie fan.

Adapted for the screen by Anthony Schaffer, the author of the play, and directed by one of the legends of Hollywood, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, SLEUTH is the perfect movie for you if you like excellent actors, Laurence Olivier and Michaël Caine for instance, a subtle plot with unexpected twists and a superior cinematography.

I was amazed by the admirable production design of the movie. Laurence Olivier's mansion is a dream come true, every objects appearing on the screen seem to have a priceless value and the rooms, including the cellar, are little museums. Joseph L. Mankiewicz had to nail the audience in some way because SLEUTH is not a play with a lot of characters and could have discouraged the viewer if the director hadn't been such a talent. Another (innocent) trick of Mankiewicz is to film the puppets or the masks as if they were alive, you always have the feeling that the characters are not alone in the mansion.

One can regret that the Anchor Bay DVD presents only a scene access and no english subtitles. The image quality was, in my opinion, rather good, without black or white spots. Sound, on the contrary, could have been better.

A DVD for the smart ones.

I wish I could say I hated this movie. Then I could easily endure the ridiculous price the individual people are trying to get for this DVD. I check this title regular in the hope the studio has re-released it so I can buy it for a decent price. Although this movie has been one of my all time favorites since I first saw it at the theater, there is no way I would ever pay over twenty-five dollars for a DVD. Quite honestly anyone that charges more than that is just greedy.

The movie starring Michael Caine and Lawrence Olivier centers around them in Olivier's house for most the movie. The lies, tricks, and traps they do on one another are amazing and will keep you guessing when they are being truthful and when they are not. Two men, mano a mano, using their wits and anything else not tacked down to dispose of the other. If you enjoyed "Deathtrap" you should love "Sleuth".

The film is brilliant -- sets, acting, script are all superb. It's interesting, intelligent, visually beautiful, and creates genuine tension. How wonderful -- a thriller without gore!

The DVD is done on the cheap. No bonus materials. The opening credits -- despite this being a 'widescreen' edition -- run off the sides of the screen. The 'matting' is uneven: the black strip below the picture on the screen is thicker on the left side than on the right. And, oddly (because it's over 2 hours long?), you have to turn the DVD over midway through.

Glad this wonderful title is available, but a big slap on the wrist to the cheap producer and the sloppy engineer.