I sussed out who was in it from the start (no spoilers) but then watching whodunnits is almost never about who done it.
It's about atmosphere and acting: in these two departments the film, though dated, is very effective. The acting is particularly excellent with the cast of stars assembled, with Simmons and Agutter absolutely stealing every scene they're in. And Ward is pretty much off the scale.
Some particularly impressive atmospherics involving gravestones and exhumations communicating the terror felt increasingly by the male protagonist very well.
But the pace (editing) is so slow, it puts a bit of a spanner into the whole works.
I adore Jean Simmons and Jenny Agutter, and don't mind Cliff Robertson's masculinity hogging the screen.
But it's Simon Ward here who is the most successful piece of casting for the role. He has a unique facial structure, the eyes naturally conveying depths of hidden emotion and thought, and a sense of disdain for everything and everyone around him, and here they are deployed with deadly effect in the role.
Not the greatest thriller, but definitely worth a look for the performances alone.
Thanks Tubi for extending your range of classic offerings constantly.
