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A Murder Of Quality [1991]
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Civilized, brutal murders at Carne School, with John Le Carre's George Smiley
Review date: 2007-06-17 Rating: 8 out of 10
Stella Rode, the wife of the new junior master at Carne School, just doesn't fit in. Carne is a British prep school with a history of preparing the sons of the upper class for lives of service and privilege. The teachers at Carne are part of this upper-class world, smug in their superiority and condescending toward those who don't fit in. Stella Rode wears her Christian beliefs on her sleeve. She does good works, collects clothes for the needy, often has a superior air about her. She also searches out secrets, uses gossip and anonymous letters to bring retribution, and doesn't hesitate to destroy a career. One night, she is beaten to death.
Days before, she wrote to Ailsa Brimley (Glenda Jackson), a relative who had experience in the war, that she feared for her life and that she suspected her husband. Ailsa contacted a colleague who, like Ailsa, was now retired, but who had also done things in the war which people didn't refer to. His name is George Smiley (Denholm Elliot).
Ailsa convinces George to go to Carne and see what is worrying Stella Rode. By the time he arrives, Rode has been killed and the police suspect her husband. Smiley isn't so sure and decides to stay a few days. He is cooly welcomed by the other masters, including house master Terence Fielding (Joss Ackland) who is shortly to retire. Smiley, a quiet, middle-aged man who is easy to underestimate, begins noticing things. What happened to the bloody outer garments the murderer must have worn? What exactly was used to beat Stella Rode to death? Where exactly did Stanley Rode leave his briefcase that night, and why did it seem so heavy? What are the relationships between some of the teachers, and, perhaps, between some of the teachers and the boys they teach? Then one of the boys, Timothy Perkins (Christian Bale), is found dead on a country road, an apparent victim of a hit-and-run. Smiley determines Perkins may have been run over by a car, but it is far more likely he, too, was beaten to death first.
Eventually, Smiley narrows the circle of suspects down. Then, one evening over a very civilized dinner, he and Ailsa confront the killer. The murders were all about privileges and reputations, "our" class versus "their" class.
The teleplay was written by John Le Carre from his early mystery of the same name. The first half is almost sedate, as we learn about Smiley and then as he learns about Carne. Things pick up appreciably as the underbelly of the privileged is exposed. The conclusion, when even a boy can be sacrificed to preserve the class structure, is right in line with many of Le Carre's themes.
Denholm Elliot does a fine job as George Smiley, so underwhelming at first meeting and yet so smart, so persistent and, in his own way, so ruthless. Smiley doesn't talk about what he did during the war, but it is clear whatever he did involved subterfuge and killing. Two other actors have played Smiley; all three have been excellent. Alec Guinness starred in the two television specials Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People. James Mason played Smiley, renamed for some reason Charles Dobbs, in the movie The Deadly Affair (from Le Carre's Call for the Dead).
Similar Products
- A Perfect Spy: Complete BBC Series (3 Disc Box Set)
- Smiley's People : Complete BBC Series [1982]
- The Looking Glass War [1969]
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy : Complete BBC Series [1979]
- Spy Who Came In From The Cold
Reviews
A Drama Of Quality
Review date: 2004-06-29 Rating: 8 out of 10
When casting this drama ITV, in a casting coup, were determind to get Alec Guinness to reprise the role of George Smiley. For once the character of George Smiley isn't investigating spies or dark state secrets but the mysterious death and goings on at a private school where an old friend of his now works. ITV certainly assembled a very strong cast for the film, Ronald Pickup, Glenda Jackson, Joss Ackland and in one of her earliest, and most revealing roles, Samantha Janus.
Unfortunately they couldn't persuade Guinness to reprise part and cast Denholm Elliot instead.
While unable to convey the sad and sweet blankness that Guinness brought to the character Elliot instead plays Smiley as a seedier, angrier man. The bitterness on the surface. A man determind to find the truth, no matter what the cost.
Performances from all the cast are excellent. Ronald Pickup is especially good and Samantha Janus is sweet in this early performance.
It's only the story, a simple tale of murder and betrayal that is the problem. It is slighter and less complex tale than audiences expected. So unlike 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' and 'Smiley's People' it is largely forgotten.
However fans of Le Carre and such murder mystery series as 'Midsomer Murders' and 'Inspector Morse' will find much to enjoy here.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Joss Ackland
Denholm Elliott
Billie Whitelaw
David Threlfall
Glenda Jackson
Creators:
Denholm Elliott (Primary Contributor)
Joss Ackland (Primary Contributor)
Denis Crossan (Cinematographer)
Angus Newton (Editor)
Brian Walcroft (Producer)
Eric Abraham (Producer)
John le Carré (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Metrodome Distribution
Manufacturer: Metrodome Distribution
EAN: 5055002515361
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-07-19
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1991
Language: English (Original Language)