The Fox

I can't really remember why I sat and watched this movie years ago. I guess because it was late at night and there was nothing else to watch on t.v. The movie is about two women who live in a log cabin in the middle of the woods during the whitest and coldest winter. It is not really obvious that they are lesbians, they just look like good friends at first, but then the secret gets out and catches you by surprise(especially that explicit scene where they make-out on the bed and then one of them starts to kiss the other on the neck, shoulders and chest). All hell breaks loose when one of the lovers soon becomes romantically and physically involved with a man who wanders slowly but painfully into their lives. The other woman gets jealous and will stop at nothing to win the heart of her lesbian lover back!! Pretty good acting!!

I loved this movie. I wish it were on DVD or VHS. I have no idea why it was never released for either medium. Some people now would find it a bit trifling, but it was very moving. The visuals and soundtrack were stunning.

There is the love between the two women. The love between the man and the woman. The pain and agony of both. The mysterious. And all of this in the cold and beautiful and desolate loneliness of winter. Picture the fox at the stream in the midst of the snow and barren trees. The warmth of love of the two women. The searing passion of the man and the woman. Why wouldn't anyone love this movie? Why isn't is available?

A seaman named Paul, on-leave for two weeks, returns to his grandfather's chicken ranch only to discover two women, Jill and Ellen, residing there instead; they welcome him in, but soon he begins lusting for Ellen, who is seen as sexually unfulfilled and is therefore drawn to this handsome stranger. This drives a wedge between the two ladies, whose close relationship is ultimately steeped in the hypothetical (they sleep in the same bed, but back to back). Mark Rydell directed this adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's novella, and he's infinitely helped along by beautifully desolate, wintry Toronto locales and by William Fraker's incredible cinematography. The three-person sturm and drang which develops is blanketed by ambiguities and eye-rolling symbolism, however the cast is first-rate. Keir Dullea's performance is flattened out a bit in the last third by Rydell, who has a penchant for cheap melodrama, and also by composer Lalo Schifrin, whose 'suspenseful' music cues become repetitive (you almost expect Norman Bates to come running in). Sandy Dennis and Anne Heywood do extremely well with difficult characterizations, but the notion that Heywood has to pleasure herself in private weakens the bond we sense between the women--this is truly the love which dare not speak its name!--and the final events feel tacked on, with the psychological contest between Jill and Paul leading to an unsatisfying climax. **1/2 from ****

Based on a D.H. Lawrence novella, this daring drama about a pair of lesbians(Sandy Dennis and Anne Heywood) and what transpires when a male stranger(Keir Dullea) enters their lives is one of Hollywood's finest attempts to bring a literary genius and one of his finest creations to the screen. It's a magnificent achievement. The original story(written in 1918) has been modernized, which, of course, means that the sexual themes have been made more explicit. Surprisingly, this doesn't hurt the dramatic impact of the story one bit(let's face it, so many great literary works have been botched up when adapted for the movie screen), and, in some ways, the updating even adds to it. A fine scripting job by Lewis John Carlino and Howard Koch. The performances by the two femmes are striking, with top honors going to the great Sandy Dennis who, although ladylike, is the more dominant party of the relationship. Lalo Schifrin's haunting score received a much deserved Oscar nomination. Released just before they started issuing MPAA ratings, this film nevertheless features some steamy scenes. The film would probably qualify for an "R" rating, even by today's standards. Not for all tastes, but required viewing for those who are game. ****!

Robert Morgan's comments about no nudity are true only because he saw the censored version which did get a PG rating. The original version has a fair amount of nudity at the proper time. I'm certain he saw this on some cable channel which prohibits nudity. I am opposed to such censorship. If TV channels are going to show a film at all, they need to show the entire film!

Excellent film, and a bit shocking for its time.

The two lead actresses (Anne Heywood and Sandy Dennis) were very believable, and Kier Dullea gives his usual fine performance. It's been many years since I saw this, so it's hard to be more specific.

I am also interested in seeing this film released on video/DVD.