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C. Roberts |
Date: 2001-03-09
"The List of Adrian Messenger" is a superb thriller starring Kirk Douglas and George C. Scott. Adrian Messenger (John Merivale) is mysteriously killed in a plane crash and Anthony Gethryn (George C. Scott) who is a friend of the family is asked to investigate. Gethryn had been given a list of names by Messenger at the house prior to Messenger's fatal plane journey. The men named on the "list" are all being murdered one by one and Gethryn has to use all his investigative powers to try to track down the killer and stop him before others on the list are also murdered. More murders do take place and Gethryn is assisted by Raoul LeBorg (Jacques Roux) and Lady Jocelyn Bruttenholm (Dana Wynter) to solve the mystery. Your enjoyment of the film is enhanced by the appearance of several famous stars in cameo roles (all heavily disguised) and part of the fun is to identify who they are before the final "unmasking" at the end of the movie! Kirk Douglas also appears in many disguises throughout the film and seemed to be enjoying his various roles. The fine supporting cast includes Herbert Marshall, Clive Brook and Gladys Cooper. The film was proficiently directed by John Huston who also appeared in the climatic hunting scene. "The List of Adrian Messenger" could be compared with the old fashioned mystery thrillers of the forties and is none the less enjoyable for that. It is like having Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie combined in the one film!
Some favourite lines from the film:
John Merivale (to George C. Scott): "Anyway, if I'm right about this it's a far older sin than politics".
Herbert Marshall (to Scott): "If you really think that all these deaths were tied together it would involve a mass murder plot so preposterous as to defy belief".
Scott (to Jacques Roux): "When you count yourself in - you really mean in, don't you?".
Kirk Douglas (to audience): "Ladies and gentlemen - the end!".
Here is a puzzle for "movie buffs" to ponder over. Although audiences are led to believe that Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra and Burt Lancaster appear in disguise during the film (and indeed these stars are certainly "unmasked" at the end) I have a sneaking suspicion that we were fooled into thinking that ALL these stars were in the film and I am convinced that neither Frank Sinatra or Burt Lancaster actually took part in the film at all and only appeared at the end for the final unmasking! If you look closely it would seem very likely that other actors were used to stand in for Sinatra and Lancaster and that these two stars only came on at the end! Take a look at the film for yourself and see what you think. There is no doubt that Tony Curtis and Robert Mitchum were in the film as they could be easily recognised through the disguises. However, apart from this little deception "The List of Adrian Messenger" is an interesting and unusual film with good performances and is well worth seeing. Clive Roberts.
Seen Them All |
Date: 2007-05-12
This is a VERY unusual movie in that all the stars wear makeup to hide their identies until the end. The fun is trying to identify each star as they make their appearance in the movie. The "List" is a group of names on a list that Adrian Messenger has in his pocket when the plane he is flying in crashes. A fellow passenger is with Messenger when he dies. Together with a retired MI-5 agent played by George C. Scott (and a friend of Messenger) they investigate the crash and determines the crash was a planned murder of Messenger. The hunt is on to find the killer and his motive for killing Messenger and the people on the list. Stars Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. A 4**** movie!!
Kali |
Date: 2001-01-06
A quirky star studded film that packs a pretty good wallop in all departments. The acting is good, the plot is exciting with a few twists and turns here and there that keeps you pretty much on the edge of your seat. Not bad for a black and white film made in the 1960s. George C. Scott is Anthony Gethryn a retired MI5 agent who sets out to find the murderer of his friend Adrian Messenger. Just before he died Adrian, played ablely by John Merivale, gives his ex-MI5 friend a list of names, asking him to track them down. To Gethryn's surprise nearly all the men on the list are dead, only one, Jim Slattery (Robert Mitchum well disguised here!) is still alive but not for much longer. The film is a maze of questions and answers that slowly become more apparent as the film moves on. All the loose ends are carefully drawn together and the climax is exciting as it is well thought out. A good who-done-it that is well worth buying just because it is so different from most mystery-thrillers of its day.
Rex Quon Do |
Date: 2006-02-26
I echo the positive comments made about this film. It is interesting, fun, and a tad creepy in parts. Kirk Douglas and George C. Scott are at their best in this movie. Overall, it is an excellent film and really should be available on DVD. There are so many garbage films on DVD - that pander to the lowest common denominator - and worthy efforts like this film are only available in VHS. Hopefully, this wil be corrected soon.
Joseph Delia |
Date: 2010-01-23
This one's on my Top Ten List! A great mystery, a great director, and a great cast! See if you can guess who Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum and Frank Sinatra are under all that make-up! Terrific score, too! Buy this film - you will not be disappointed! I guarantee!
