A puzzle within a paradox of a film - as was intended by the author.Caine dismissed it as one of his lesser films.Central is a quote from T.S.Elliot's Little Gidding reflecting on the meaning of existence ( We shall arrive at where we started from,and yet know the place for the first time)The film spirals around the central character's convoluted conversations with the Magus (Quinn)without obvious resolution.Yet once reported ( supposedly by Fowles) that Bergen's character was the sister of Ann and the meeting with the Magus intended to highlight to Caine's character his selfish treatment of her which led to her demise.
