Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios
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Libel
The surprise witness ! The searching question ! The perjured testimony ! The accusing finger ! The shattering truth !
A California commercial pilot sees a telecast in London of an interview with Sir Mark Lodden at his home. The Canadian is convinced that the baronet is a fraud, and he is actually a look-alike actor named Frank Welney.
- Original title
- Libel
- Language
- EN
- Country
- GB
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
John Chard
Aug 11, 2015 · via TMDB
The Amnesiac Doppleganger. Libel is directed by Anthony Asquith and adapted from Edward Wooll's play by Anatole de Grunwald and Karl Tunberg. It stars Dirk Bogarde, Olivia de Havilland, Paul Massie, Robert Morley, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Anthony Dawson and Richard Wattis. Music is by Benjamin Frankel and cinematography by Robert Krasker. A shell-shocked ex-WWII prisoner of war with amnesia is accused of being an impostor by one of the guys he was imprisoned with. This sends him spinning into the middle of a Libel court case that could destroy everything in his life. A splendidly stylish mystery/drama that offers up two Dirk Bogarde's for the price of one. The big question throughout is if Bogarde, in the shoes of Sir Mark Sebastian Loddon, is actually a doppleganger that he was in the war with called Frank Welney. Loddon has the riches, the estate and a beautiful loving wife, Welney was a struggling actor and something of a mischievous imp. The big narrative thrust is that Loddon is not sure himself, he can only remember certain things, thus we are never sure either as the plot twists and turns and the court case simmers away with dramatic force. Bogarde is great in his dual role, with a voice change for each character and different hair styles to help the viewers differentiate. In the court we have a trio of classy character actors, with Hyde-White and Morley as the opposing lawyers (wonderful to witness this) and Watiss as the judge presiding over the trial. Havilland isn't asked to do much until late in the day, but then she shines bright and puts some emotional punch into proceedings. The great Krasker photographs it in crisp black and white, while Asquith directs with a smoothness that undercuts the coincidences and conveniences that exist in this sort of story. All the highlights of a court room drama are here, and it's a cracking mystery to boot. 8/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Dirk Bogarde
Sir Mark Loddon / Frank Welney / Number Fifteen
Olivia de Havilland
Lady Margaret Anne Loddon
Paul Massie
Jeffrey Buckenham
Robert Morley
Sir Wilfred
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Hubert Foxley
Anthony Dawson
Gerald Loddon
Richard Wattis
The Judge
Martin Miller
Dr. Schrott
Millicent Martin
Maisie
Toke Townley
Associate
Bill Shine
The Guide
Ivan Samson
Admiral Loddon
Sebastian Saville
Michael Loddon
Richard Pearson
The Butler
Robert Shaw
First Photographer
Geoffrey Bayldon
Second Photographer
Gordon Sterne
Maddox
Arthur Howard
Car Salesman
Joyce Carey
Miss Sykes
Josephine Middleton
Mrs. Squire
Barbara Archer
Barmaid
Vanda Hudson
Girl in Street
Sam Kydd
Newspaper Vendor (uncredited)
Robert Krasker
Director of Photography
Christian Dior
Costume Design
Anthony Asquith
Director
Irene Howard
Casting
Anatole de Grunwald
Producer
Anatole de Grunwald
Screenplay
Karl Tunberg
Screenplay
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Oct 23, 1959
