Vergiß oder stirb

When I saw some of the comments the other week about the film not being released on VHS or DVD, I got out my copy of the film on VHS. I taped it back in the late 1980s and have watched it at least once a year! It hasn't been played for ages here in Australia and as I have a new DVD HDD recorder AND a VHS recorder still hooked up, I have copied it on to the disc drive, edited it and included a scene selection and can burn copies any time on to DVD. The quality from the near 20 year old tape is still pretty good and very watchable. I have edited out the old ad breaks but you will see the station logo at the beginning of scenes coming back from the break but there are no watermarks during scenes. There is a little bit of a voice-over on the end credits but it only goes for about 10 seconds. If any one wants a copy, I would be happy to oblige.

It's a weekly ritual. I have to check the TV guide to see if any channel is showing this classic. I'm watching for it on Ebay. Next, I'm hiring a private detective. I have to find a copy of this film, which kept me company when I was off school in the 70's. It's typical of it's era as I recall, relying on plot and acting ability over effects and gore.

It's been so long since I saw it, that I've actually forgotten the main story. All i remember is, there are some stunning locations, Louis Jourdan has lost his memory and he asks about a key, which signals the return of said lost memory and the beginning of his troubles. Help! I need to find a copy. It's a classic.

An English school teacher (Louis Jordan!) witnesses what he calls a murder (actually, one man was defending himself from being attacked by a chap with a gun that discharged accidentally in a struggle, so I can't imagine what rational being would call that a murder). Naturally, the police don't believe him, especially when he reaches the place where it happened and it's all changed.

Hiring a sleazebag private detective (Terence Alexander, in a great but small bit) he gets a lead but then gets thunked on the head following it up.

When he wakes up he's living in a palatial villa outside Geneva, married to a young Mary Tyler Moore. I should have such a bump.

So, was his past a delusion caused by a polo playing accident, and has he lost his mind? Or have a lot of people in conspiracy set him up in a wonderful new life? And why is he complaining about it?

But for some reason he's determined to get to the bottom of it all, and that means more danger from the conspirators. If any.

A truly first-rate cast, mostly in small roles, gives the star more than adequate support. One stand-out (as always) is the great Wilfred Hyde-White.

I can't figure out if it's a droll comedy. It's filled with some unexpected laughs. For instance, when he looks at a photo of his new wife, Moore, it looks like a goofy publicity shot left over from "The Dick van Dyke Show." And Jordan's attitude to his new surroundings strikes me as so incongruous as to be funny. A serious-minded teacher is suddenly Gaston from "Gigi."

His quest to find out what happened should satisfy conspiracy buffs. The rest of us can enjoy some fine performances by some of Britain's top supporting actors. It's nice, silly, cozy fun to kill an afternoon.

This really should be re-made today ! Its got a brilliant twist and keeps the audience guessing throughout. Louis Jordan is an excellent hero. Mary Tyler Moore is his , initially sceptic, companion. The polo match injury in hospital scene is one of those "OH yeah!" cinematic moments. I would love to see this movie released and will pay good money to get a copy. If anyone ever hears about how to get hold of a copy please contact me!!! Or simply put a review comment down here so that we can all get a copy ! I actually emailed the BBC to get this re-scheduled on TV and they said they would. Nowadays, Brad Pitt would play Louis Jordan's role and Julia Roberts could be the Mary Tyler Moor role. 10/10 Fantastic !

I really loved this film when I saw it on TV back in 1983, and always hoped I could see it again one day - but it never seemed to get repeated on UK tv after that for some reason.

So I was delighted to see it was on YouTube, and it was so good to see it once more.

It's quite a Hitchcockian story, with the main character witnessing a murder at an elite meeting at a semi-derelict mansion near the start - and how then he is silenced by the elite group to keep the murder hushed-up in a most unusual and extraordinary way.

I don't want to give too much of the story away for anyone who's never seen it, so that's all I'll say - you'll have to see for yourself!

I loved all the locations too, some not far from where I live, including the long-gone Wooburn Green village train station.

Louis Jourdan is solid as the lead, and Mary Tyler-Moore perfect as the co-star, as well as a whole host of famous faces in supporting roles.

It's an intriguing story full of twists and turns, and a very entertaining and unusual film.