Deadfall (1968 film)

Deadfall
Original theatrical poster
Directed by Bryan Forbes
Produced by Paul Monash
Written by Bryan Forbes
Based on "Deadfall"
by Desmond Cory
Starring Michael Caine
Giovanna Ralli
Eric Portman
Nanette Newman
David Buck
Music by John Barry
Cinematography Gerry Turpin
Edited by John Jympson
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date
 October 8, 1968
Running time
 98 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

Deadfall is a 1968 film written and directed by Bryan Forbes and starring Michael Caine, Eric Portman, Giovanna Ralli and Forbes's wife Nanette Newman, with music by John Barry in his final collaboration with Forbes. Barry also plays a musical conductor in the film. It is based on Desmond Cory's 1965 thriller and shot in and around Majorca, Spain. The film's theme song, "My Love Has Two Faces", was performed by Shirley Bassey.

Plot

Cat burglar Henry Clarke (Michael Caine) checks himself into a Spanish sanatorium for alcoholics under a false pretence. His true motivation is to get closer to a wealthy patient named Salinas (David Buck) and then rob his magnificent house.

Clarke is approached by Fé Moreau (Giovanna Ralli) and her much older husband, Richard (Eric Portman), to form an alliance. As a test run before the real robbery, they break into another stately home. After risking his life on a ledge, Clarke becomes so angered by Richard's failure to crack the safe that, with great effort, he drags the entire safe and its contents out of the house.

Fé and Clarke begin a romantic affair, which Richard, who has a young male lover, does not discourage. Fé buys a new Jaguar convertible for Clarke and tells him the safe contained jewels worth at least a half-a-million dollars.

Before the time comes to rob Salinas's mansion, Fé travels to Tangier without letting Clarke know she was leaving. Richard then tells Clarke a harrowing tale of how he once betrayed his male lover to the Nazis and later impregnated the man's wife. Their baby was Fé, but, choosing not to tell her that she was his daughter, Richard married her.

A contemptuous Clarke decides to break into Salinas's mansion on his own. Fé returns and is shocked when a suicidal and depressed Richard reveals the truth about their relationship. She races to the Salinas mansion and inadvertently alerts a guard, who shoots Clarke coming out a window. He falls to his death.

Fé attends a funeral. Afterwards, she is led off by police, while Richard's gay lover drives off in Clarke's car.

Cast

Reception

The movie received a positive review in the New York Times.[1][2]

Soundtrack

"My Love Has Two Faces"
Music by John Barry
Lyrics by Jack Lawrence
Sung by Shirley Bassey

"Romance for Guitar and Orchestra"
Composed and conducted by John Barry
Performed by Renata Tarragó

"Beat Girl"
Composed by John Barry

References

  1. ↑ "The Screen: 'Deadfall' Joins the Cat Burglar Vogue:New Drama Presents Caine and Portman Other Films Arrive at Neighborhood Houses". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Deadfall". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
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