Copyright 31 December 1968 by Marpol (Martin Poll) Productions Released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. U.S. release: 20 March 1970. No New York opening. No U.K. release at all. Though the film was announced for early 1970 release, it was not even trade-shown. Running times: 115 minutes (U.S. copyright), 108 minutes (Australia), 100 minutes (U.S. release).
SYNOPSIS: Federico Fendi (Omar Sharif), a Roman lawyer, becomes transfixed by a girl he sees on the street. She is later introduced to him by his friend, Renzo (Fausto Tozzi), as Carla (Anouk Aimee), the latter's fiancee. Not long afterward, Carla comes to Federico for help. Renzo has thrown her over. But Federico then begins an ardent pursuit of Carla.
COMMENT: A rare film which certainly far from deserves its obscurity, The Appointment finds New York director Sidney Lumet on unfamiliar ground in Italy. Although he has not managed to overcome the obvious handicap of dubbed and post-synched dialogue (especially with the support players), he has pulled off some marvelously inventive (even showy by his standards) sequences, including a fantastic helicopter pull-back on to the island and a fascinatingly long tracking shot through the hospital corridor. Atmosphere in fact is the film's strongest feature. A fine music score helps.
On the other hand, he script is somewhat tenuous. It concentrates on Sharif and Anouk. Fortunately their delivery is okay and they thus manage to keep and hold our interest, despite plot digressions and the generally slow pace. Lumet uses his Italian locations most effectively, though the photography in the print under review is a little on the dark side - and not altogether flattering.
SYNOPSIS: Federico Fendi (Omar Sharif), a Roman lawyer, becomes transfixed by a girl he sees on the street. She is later introduced to him by his friend, Renzo (Fausto Tozzi), as Carla (Anouk Aimee), the latter's fiancee. Not long afterward, Carla comes to Federico for help. Renzo has thrown her over. But Federico then begins an ardent pursuit of Carla.
COMMENT: A rare film which certainly far from deserves its obscurity, The Appointment finds New York director Sidney Lumet on unfamiliar ground in Italy. Although he has not managed to overcome the obvious handicap of dubbed and post-synched dialogue (especially with the support players), he has pulled off some marvelously inventive (even showy by his standards) sequences, including a fantastic helicopter pull-back on to the island and a fascinatingly long tracking shot through the hospital corridor. Atmosphere in fact is the film's strongest feature. A fine music score helps.
On the other hand, he script is somewhat tenuous. It concentrates on Sharif and Anouk. Fortunately their delivery is okay and they thus manage to keep and hold our interest, despite plot digressions and the generally slow pace. Lumet uses his Italian locations most effectively, though the photography in the print under review is a little on the dark side - and not altogether flattering.