Hitchcock was a class apart, but many seem to believe that they can imitate him. Director Anthony Waller appears to have tried and, like Brian de Palma and other less famous names, fails, because he lacks the touch, the humor, that insubstantial quality that comes with genius. And a pity it is, because the idea is not bad: set in Moscow, a mute "American" girl (beautiful Martina Zudina is actually a Moscow-born Russian, so she was conveniently rendered mute so her accent would not give her away) working as a film production assistant witnesses a "snuff" crime committed in a studio lot, and she is chased for the rest of the film.
The premise of film within a film is situated from the outset, with all manner of fake action happening with far too many props, and far too much fantasy for my liking. On positive aspect about the mute witness: there is far less shrieking than tends to be the case with movies of this type.
The acting is generally appalling, with Evan Richards as the clumsiest geek you'll see. The Russian ensemble looks generally menacing... and yet less than convincing. Photography is competent enough, even if some stunts and action sequences require a vast amount of suspended belief, especially during the second half of the movie. Screenplay: reasonably gripping during the first half.
The really interesting detail about this film is the Mystery Guest Star. In his memoirs entitled "MY NAME ESCAPES ME," Alec Guinness explains that he was approached by Anthony Waller to film a few scenes in the back of a car, and agreed to do so because he (Guinness) thought that it was a student film. Guinness also says that he was never offered, and never received any pay for his part, and in the above mentioned memoirs he makes it clear that he will not fall for a stunt like that again.
So, the finest moment in the film was obtained under false pretenses, and that pretty much defines the entire project: as fake as the fake blood that pours throughout the film.
I am giving this mediocrity a very generous 6 /10 because of Guinness, one of the finest actors ever to grace the silver screen.
The premise of film within a film is situated from the outset, with all manner of fake action happening with far too many props, and far too much fantasy for my liking. On positive aspect about the mute witness: there is far less shrieking than tends to be the case with movies of this type.
The acting is generally appalling, with Evan Richards as the clumsiest geek you'll see. The Russian ensemble looks generally menacing... and yet less than convincing. Photography is competent enough, even if some stunts and action sequences require a vast amount of suspended belief, especially during the second half of the movie. Screenplay: reasonably gripping during the first half.
The really interesting detail about this film is the Mystery Guest Star. In his memoirs entitled "MY NAME ESCAPES ME," Alec Guinness explains that he was approached by Anthony Waller to film a few scenes in the back of a car, and agreed to do so because he (Guinness) thought that it was a student film. Guinness also says that he was never offered, and never received any pay for his part, and in the above mentioned memoirs he makes it clear that he will not fall for a stunt like that again.
So, the finest moment in the film was obtained under false pretenses, and that pretty much defines the entire project: as fake as the fake blood that pours throughout the film.
I am giving this mediocrity a very generous 6 /10 because of Guinness, one of the finest actors ever to grace the silver screen.