planktonrules

It's very difficult to remake a famous film, particularly one by such a famous director as Alfred Hitchcock. But in 1978 that's exactly what they did...make a TV version of the famous 1935 film. And, as it turns out, the author of the original story, John Buchan, actually loved this third version as it was closer to his novel. A fourth version came out in 2008.

A plus for this production is the cast. John Mills, George Baker, Eric Porter, and David Warner all appear in the movie. Robert Powell, who plays lead, is fine.

The story is set in 1914, just before the outbreak of the First World War. It begins with two assassinations and a retired British agent (Mills) thinks he understands what's going on...and the German spies are out to stop him. They do manage to kill him...but poor Hannay (Powell) is there and folks think he did it...though he's completely innocent. He is arrested...but soon manages to escape...and most of the film consists of Hannay on the run, Germans on his tail, and the British government eventually realizing what's going on and they give chase as well!

It's hard for me to compare this to the Hitchcock version simply because I haven't seen that movie in many years. I found it very enjoyable and well made. My only complaint is the same one I had about the Hitchcock version...that the lady assumes he's innocent for no reason other than he 'looks innocent'...a plot problem indeed. But still, it is enjoyable and worth a look.

The 1929 film "The Letter" featured Jeanne Eagels. It was very good. But in 1940 they made perhaps the best version due to Bette Davis' extraordinary performance. Despite two very good versions, a made for TV version from "Producer's Showase" was made and this review is for that third version I've seen...though, perhaps, there are OTHER versions out there as well.

I found this copy on YouTube. It's a crisp copy and also includes the commercials from the original broadcast. The original cast is generally very good...with esteemed actors John Mills, Michael Rennie, and Anna May Wong in various roles. Oddly, the film stars Siobhan McKenna, an Irish actress with few opportunities to play the leading lady on TV or in films (she was primarily a stage actress). And, like many TV productions like this, it was presented live on TV! Thank goodness they saved a copy for posterity.

The story begins with a vivid murder, as Mrs. Crosbie (McKenna) unloading her gun into a man fleeing her home in Malaya. It seems her husband is a foreman on a rubber plantation...but what led to her killing Jeff Hamilton, the man leaving her home?

In many ways, this film follows the other versions very closely...including the memorable opening scene from the previous incarnations...so closely you wonder why it needed a remake. It is well made...but so were the other versions...particularly the 1940 version. This is NOT to say McKenna was not very good in this TV version...she was excellent but tended to emote much like a stage actress.

So is this worth seeing? Yes. But I can't imagine seeing this without first seeing the Bette Davis version, which is better as well as more subtle.

Throughout his career, George Kennedy was an excellent actor. He was terrific in films such as "Cool Hand Luke", the "Airport" movies, as well as "The Dirty Dozen"....but these were all supporting roles. Here in "The 'Human' Factor", however, Kennedy gets a chance to star in a film...and he's quite good.

John Kinsale (Kennedy) is a computer expert working in Naples. One day, completely out of the blue, his wife and children are all murdered execution style. It makes little sense. However, a few days later, the same thing happens to another American family living in Italy. And, using his computer skills, Kinsale realizes there IS a pattern and it all leads to a small but deadly terrorist group. But instead of going to the police like any rational person, he sets off to stop them all by himself...which proves he just isn't in his right mind and is set on a vendetta.

This is a good 'turn off your brain and enjoy' sort of picture. By the end, it's a lot like "Dirty Harry" and "Death Wish" but even MORE violent! But it is well made and Kenndy is quite good. A strange and incredibly violent film.