It was Steve McQueen’s big return to the screen after four years off from 1974’s The Towering Inferno (which was a massive hit). It surprised everyone that this was McQueen’s vehicle to return. It is a high-brow literary play (Ibsen by way of adaptation from Arthur Miller)
McQueen would pass away just two years and two films later- way too early- in 1980 at the age of 50
The direction is nondescript- I will not be seeking out what George Schaefer made next or before this
Not only is this a play- very political—but McQueen sporting a massive mane—Jeremiah Johnson-like hair and beard
Starts with old-timey black and white photos and then they slowly hue into the color photography of the film- nice touch—used very well in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Choppy editing in places – not on purpose
The narrative is a battle between brothers (McQueen and Durning)—right and wrong- chess match, a parable, political – it is well done- a powerful film
I’d love to see the material (or close) in the hands of Lumet, Haneke… certainly it has much in common with von trier’s Dogville — even Stanley Kramer would have been more suited.
Ditto with McQueen in the lead in terms of it not being a complete fit— he’s no speech-maker like Pacino. Spencer Tracy would have been better suited to the material. McQueen isn’t a talker, his best piece of acting in the film is the silent stare he gives his brother Durning through the window when he arrives at his house at the end
The casting of Bibi Andersson makes it feel more Scandinavian
I have another underseen film to reccomend.It’s the Ugly American(1963) starring Marlon Brando.Can you believe he was nominated for a Golden Globe for this one.
As a movie lover, I’m just amazed at the number of films you review, most of which I never knew existed. Great job.
wow a fellow tcm watcher it seems.
@m — haha yep- absolutely
I have another underseen film to reccomend.It’s the Ugly American(1963) starring Marlon Brando.Can you believe he was nominated for a Golden Globe for this one.
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