La clé de l'énigme

Master TV director Boris Sagal brings us an excellent remake of DIAL M FOR MURDER. I haven't seen this but twice in 25 years, but I would love to see this making the TV rounds again or a DVD release soon.

We all know the story from the 1954 classic, but Christopher Plummer is nothing short of brilliant as Tony, while Angie Dickinson is perfect as Margot.

Generally not a fan of remakes - especially remaking films from the master of suspense, but Sagal puts it all together in a superb Made-For-Television classic back when the networks were still spending top dollar for Movies Of The Week.

Don't miss this one - if you ever get the chance(!)

Angie Dickinson is not what can be called an extraordinary actress, not even one of the best, she is just an actress. Not the same can be said about Christopher Plummer, he is one of the best actors of all time, in everything he plays, he super shines and eclipses everything around him. Here he also has a very good story, a solid script, as you rarely meet, he is the film in fact. He also has quality help from Ron Moody (the excellent Fagin from "Oliver!"), Anthony Quayle and Michael Parks. Boris Sagal, the director, did a very good job, the film is excellent.

While not as compelling as Hitchcock's 1954 adaptation when it comes to cinematic technique, Christopher Plummer's turn as the socipathic but suave Tony Wendice makes this made-for-TV version of the perennial thriller classic DIAL M FOR MURDER worth a watch. It's not exactly a filmed stage play, but it's a hair away from being as such. It does try to "open up" the play by setting Margot and Max's conversation at a movie studio filming an adaptation of one of the latter's mystery novels rather than in the Wendice apartment, which I thought was a clever touch, playing upon the subtle meta elements of the original play.

As for the story itself, it's pretty much exactly the original play and/or the Hitchcock movie (which was adapted by the play's author Frederick Knott anyhow). I personally think the play's first half is more interesting than the second, since none of the other characters can match Tony for charisma or guile. But it is clever and twisty, and therefore enjoyable.

TV movies are often let down by their third rate cast, small budget and lack of attention to detail. This production is no exception.

As mentioned in an earlier review, the look of this production is very much 1980s instead of the intended 1960s. Why they can't put more effort into basic things such as hair cuts/styles and clothing is beyond me! It's just lazy not to.

With regards to casting, Dickinson, Plummer and Parks all needed to be at least 10 years younger. I've no problem with Quayle being 69 though - the more mature the better.

I too wondered why this version was set in 1963 and then remembered that is when the death penalty (an important part in the story) was abolished in the United Kingdom.

Also mentioned by another reviewer is the first half being far more interesting than the second. Unfortunately that is true in just about all versions of this film. The plot is plausible up to a point but by the half way point you have to wonder why the Police haven't started to think outside of the box a little more.

I actually think this story could play out better over three 1 hour episodes showing how the husband discovers his wife's affair, realising his desperate predicament, plotting to blackmail Swann and more cat and mouse between the husband and detective.

This version is watchable though and preferably at night time.

Yes, give this a try. The Hitchcock one is very fine, but you won't be disappointed by the performances here, either. Some of the explanations of Tony's behaviour I found clearer. Good cast all around.