One of those classic little gems that I find and go against the grain somewhat in rating higher than much more established film reviewers!
Richard Burton is towards the end of his illustrious film career but still has a gravitas as lead character, author John Morlar. What makes his character so interesting is that he is seen only briefly throughout the film in flashback scenes of events in his life with deathly events. In the present day he actually lies in a coma after being bashed violently to the head several times at the beginning of the film, left for dead in an apparent murder.
The attempted murder investigation changes to attempted murder and is investigated across London by a French Detective on some kind of workplace exchange between the France and the UK? In reality the film has part French backing alongside UK producer Lew Grade of ITC fame.
Now the flashback scenes explore the hypothesis of telekinesis. Being able to move objects by brain activity. Being a football fan I can relate somewhat to it!
The film cleverly changes from a simple detective whodunit structure to a disaster film albeit with some dodgy 1978 low budget special effects as a 747 jet crashes into a London high-rise building and a Cathedral literally crumbles as the late Queen of England arrives to a packed fundraising event.
A nuclear power plant in the UK (Windscale/Sellafield) is mentioned several times as another potential disaster scene as well as a US moon mission.
With higher financial backing perhaps the film would have received more favourable reviews, who knows? What I know, despite watching a poor print is that we are left with a worthy film, worth checking out. A hidden cult film.
Burton's voice and sheer presence alone is a facet not to be missed. He still has a couple of great flashback scenes that reminded me of some of his more famous work.
Richard Burton is towards the end of his illustrious film career but still has a gravitas as lead character, author John Morlar. What makes his character so interesting is that he is seen only briefly throughout the film in flashback scenes of events in his life with deathly events. In the present day he actually lies in a coma after being bashed violently to the head several times at the beginning of the film, left for dead in an apparent murder.
The attempted murder investigation changes to attempted murder and is investigated across London by a French Detective on some kind of workplace exchange between the France and the UK? In reality the film has part French backing alongside UK producer Lew Grade of ITC fame.
Now the flashback scenes explore the hypothesis of telekinesis. Being able to move objects by brain activity. Being a football fan I can relate somewhat to it!
The film cleverly changes from a simple detective whodunit structure to a disaster film albeit with some dodgy 1978 low budget special effects as a 747 jet crashes into a London high-rise building and a Cathedral literally crumbles as the late Queen of England arrives to a packed fundraising event.
A nuclear power plant in the UK (Windscale/Sellafield) is mentioned several times as another potential disaster scene as well as a US moon mission.
With higher financial backing perhaps the film would have received more favourable reviews, who knows? What I know, despite watching a poor print is that we are left with a worthy film, worth checking out. A hidden cult film.
Burton's voice and sheer presence alone is a facet not to be missed. He still has a couple of great flashback scenes that reminded me of some of his more famous work.