La femme de paille

So they don't make 'em like this anymore, really. Photography does wonders here. Players and story get thick into it. Gina L the very meaning of woooman...yummy thing. Story keeps you hanging on. Yes there is the Bondian flair to Sean but are we all prisoners of our being. Music, customes and editing round it out. Just a real treat from when movies were still movies not film de art or music videos.

I must say I have not seen much of director Basil Dearden's work, but this is a real good one. "Woman of Straw" is a classical thriller with a catching plot that turns out very interesting and enjoyable to watch. The film deals with ambition, treason, passion and murder.

Though a bit slow at the beginning, the movie grows in tension and intrigue as it runs. It has good music, perfect settings, visual impact in sequences through a sea cruise and good performances from Sir Ralph Richardson as the old and tyrannic billionaire Charles Richmond, Sean Connery (in his Bond days) as his ambitious nephew Anthony and Gina Lollobrigida as Miss Marcello (the old man's hired nurse) in what is probably her best non Italian role ever. Alexander Knox is there too, reliable as always, as a police inspector.

The already mentioned slow beginning and maybe a 10 minute excess in its running time don't really hurt the film which -in my opinion- is a very good one in its genre.

Charles Richmond (Ralph Richardson) is an elderly, angry tyrant....and a rich one at that. He treats everyone around him with contempt....and is a racist and treats his black servants like dogs. All in all, it's hard to like anything about the man. So, it's not surprising that his new nurse (Gina Lollobrigida) stomps off the job. What is surprising is when Richmond, in a strange act of contrition and decency, seeks her out and even apologizes for his actions. After all, he misses her. What is most surprising, however, is what happens next...he asks her to marry him...and she agrees. Whether she agrees because she genuinely likes him or because Richmond's handsome nephew (Sean Connery) convinces her to marry him because they will share the money soon (after all, Richmond is sickly and old) is unknown. What happens next...well, I'll let you find out about that if you watch the film. I just don't want to spoil the story by telling you more.

Although the film has a modest score currently of 6.7 and was a box office disappointment, I actually enjoyed the movie....mostly because it was so original. Overall, a very good film and one that will keep you guessing!

Sean Connery, Sir Ralph Richardson, and Gina Lollabrigida star in "Woman of Straw", a 1964 film.

Connery plays Tony Richmond, who hires Maria (Lollabrigida) as a nurse for his impossible wheelchair-bound uncle (Richardson). His Uncle Charles is cruel and rude, and Maria doesn't want to put up with him.

Shortly after she arrives, she quits. Tony explains to her that his uncle doesn't have long to live, which she knows, and he's only been left 20 grand in his uncle's will. If Uncle Charles marries Maria, she'll inherit everything, and she can give him a million pounds. It's all perfect.

Maria and Tony are attracted to one another, though at first she resists. She also doesn't think she can bring herself to get Uncle Charles sufficiently interested in her to marry him - the idea repulses her. In truth, she winds up growing quite fond of him and is strict in the way she cares for him. However, his Jekyll-Hyde behavior becomes too much and she quits again. This time, Charles goes to see her himself and proposes. She accepts.

While on a yacht trip, Charles changes his will to benefit her and doubles his nephew's inheritance to $40,000. Tony tells her that he will have to register the will in London when they get back in order for it to be legal. And that's where the trouble begins.

Terrific film, well directed by Basil Dearden, produced in color with glorious scenery. Everyone does a great job, particularly Richardson, such a magnificent actor, who is hateful one minute and likable the next.

Connery and Lollabrigida are gorgeous. It's a good script that will keep you involved right to the very end. Highly recommended. This doesn't seem to be out on DVD. I saw it on Netflix streaming, and now it's gone. Don't know what the problem is, but this deserves to be seen.

I had heard of this movie for years, but never saw it on cable TV or on DVD, but did stumble across it on NetFlix. This movie was filmed around the time Connery made From Russia with Love. I had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised that it's a pretty good thriller, and a great "Bond" bonus for Connery fans. The character of Tony Richmond has a lot of overlap with James Bond - his wardrobe, looks, association with fancy locales and sports cars, and treatment of women. As you watch Connery in this role, you will not be able to avoid thinking of him as Bond. That's not a bad thing, and doesn't detract from the movie, itself. But rather, I look at it as a bonus Bond movie. Connery was at his physical peak during the filming of this movie. His appearance, vocal delivery, and acting are also some of his best work in a film. I think Connery's physical appearance changed so rapidly between 1962 and, say, 1980, that every year he looked markedly different than the year before. Fans of Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger will appreciate seeing Connery in this movie when all his looks and skills were at their finest. If you have a couple hours to spend watching an older style film, or are a big Sean Connery fan, this is a recommended movie.