Smell the Movies
Smell the TV
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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| Year: | 1976 |
| Country of origin: | USA |
| Director: | John Schlesinger |
| Genre: | Nazi's. They're amongst us. |
| Starring: | Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane |
| Rating: | 4/5 |
| IMDB link: | http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074860/ |
| Tagline: | No tagline |
| Favourite line: | "Oh, don't worry. I'm not going into that cavity. That nerve's already dying. A live, freshly-cut nerve is infinitely more sensitive. So I'll just drill into a healthy tooth until I reach the pulp." |
Intense thriller from the seventies that is most well known for the dental torture sequences.
Olivier plays Szell, a notorious Nazi wanted for crimes against humanity, including medical experiments on Jews. By changing his appearance, he has managed to evade the authorities for years, and finds himself in America, embroiled in a plot involving diamond smuggling and a shadowy government agency.
Hoffman gets involved, too, though not of his own doing, and it's not long before he's strapped in the dentists chair with a gleeful Szell prodding and probing with malicious intent.
As is usual for movies from the period, it is a slow burner, which may frustrate some, though it is worth persevering with as the pay off is superb.
Olivier and Hoffman command the screen, both big hitters in the performance stakes and delivering the goods with conviction.
Though the plot is convoluted, it is comprehendable, just, though you may find yourself wondering what on Earth is happening on occasion.
A satisfying, very enjoyable movie indeed.
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