Search - Sleuth on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1972 DVD Release: 03/03/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 19 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 24 Genres: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Whodunit See Also: Sleuth

The mystery stage play by Anthony Shaffer was adapted by the author into this stylish film from director Joseph L. Manciewicz. Laurence Olivier stars as Andrew Wyke, a best-selling author of detective fiction living in a grand 16th century mansion. Andrew is visited by Milo Tindle (Michael Caine), owner of a hair salon chain, and reveals to his guest that he's aware of Milo's affair with his wife Marguerite. Rather than being vengeful, however, Andrew professes he's glad to be rid of his troublesome spouse. To avoid paying heavy alimony, Andrew suggests that Milo disguise himself as a clown and steal his wife's expensive jewelry. That way Marguerite and Milo can obtain financial security while Andrew claims the loss on his insurance and all walk away rich. Andrew's plan is a devious one, however, designed to toy with his wife's lover, and a series of deceptions and counter-deceptions are launched in which nothing is as it seems, unfolding as an elaborate game of comeuppance between the two men. Ten years after Sleuth, Caine would assay a role not unlike Olivier's in the similarly-themed Deathtrap (1982). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Laurence Olivier - Andrew Wyke
Michael Caine - Milo Tindle

Since the video release of this witty cat-and-mouse game was not only struck from a very faded print but also was previously out of print, this Anchor Bay Entertainment DVD release of Sleuth is very welcome indeed. The bad news is that if it's stacked up against the Anchor Bay edition that soon followed its release, this disc comes up short. While the DVD returns the movie to its original widescreen aspect ratio, the transfer isn't perfect, as the source print used wasn't remastered as well as it could've been. The mono audio track is unexceptional, but serviceable for what is essentially a smartly filmed two-character play. This edition doesn't come with any extras to speak of. Regardless, this disc is still an improvement over the video edition and it's always fun to see the classically trained Laurence Olivier butt heads with the proudly Cockney Michael Caine in any format. ~ Nick Dedina, All Movie Guide