Dirk Bogarde is fantastic- not only a dual role (they didn’t really have these in 1959 like we see with Dead Ringers, Adaptation and so many others more contemporary cinema – I guess Alec Guinness was doing a bit of this work but still- it shows not only range for Bogarde but tremendous complexity and inner angst even within one of his roles here)- he’s amazing- and a revelation in 1959 and the beginning of an impressive decade to 15 years for him
Olivia de Havilland- 20 years after Gone with the Wind is great here- She’s a great actress at garnering your sympathy—goodness—she looks amazing as well
Robert Morley is good like he always is
Bogarde’s best scene (and Asquith as director) is the scene of him lying in bed with the flashing light from the street light at night on his face the night before his big day in court
A strong mirror scene of the other Bogarde character pretending to be Sir Mark Loddon—creepy
The film is largely a who-done-it mystery- a great premise if a little far-fetched with some soapiness. But still- utterly fascinating and I was impressed by the technical achievement (or perception of) of having both Borgarde characters in the same scene
[…] Libel – Asquith […]