Sleuth (1972)

Featured Audience Ratings

• AJ V

  
  A great movie adapted from a great play, Caine and Olivier are excellent together, and it's just perfect. I highly recommend this movie.

• Aditya G

  
  Having loved British screenwriter Anthony Shaffer's occult thriller "The Wicker Man"(1973), I decided to give this 1972 film of his, a shot. Based on Shaffer's play of the same name, "Sleuth" opens with Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) trying to find his… More
  Having loved British screenwriter Anthony Shaffer's occult thriller "The Wicker Man"(1973), I decided to give this 1972 film of his, a shot. Based on Shaffer's play of the same name, "Sleuth" opens with Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) trying to find his way through a complex hedge maze in order to reach the owner of the property on which it lies, a huge manor house of Andrew Wyke (Laurence Olivier), a middle-aged-and-getting-older detective novel writer who has invited him over. This is an initial indication of Wyke's twisted behaviour. He is the kind of man whose hobby, apart from his profession of writing, seemingly includes indulging in elaborate games and riddles, preferably with unsuspecting strangers who aren't aware of his ways. As it turns out, Tindle is a struggling salon owner who is having an affair with Wyke's wife Marguerite. Aware of the affair, Wyke warns Tindle of Marguerite's expensive ways and points out that it may be difficult to keep her happy forever with what Tindle makes. Himself having an affair with another woman, Wyke is eager to get Marguerite off his hands. Being involved in detective fiction, Wyke hatches an ingenious scheme with Tindle that would make them both happy. He convinces Tindle to steal a lot of expensive jewelery from his house, sell it and make money to live a comfortable life with Marguerite, while Wyke would claim the the insurance money of the jewels, and carry on with his own affair with his girlfriend comfortably! Instantly enticed by the offer which seems picture perfect on paper, Tindle agrees and puts the plan into action...but are things really that simple as they are made out to be? Or does Wyke have his own ulterior motives behind his devious game of insurance fraud? Since the film is based on a play, 99% of the film is set indoors in Wyke's plush mansion which looks eerie in the night, especially with all the creepy-looking talking puppet dolls scattered around the house! One wonders how Wyke manages to stay alone in that huge house, isolated from any sign of human life! The closed set gives the film a much needed claustrophobic atmosphere. The film relies heavily on the verbose dialog between the two lead actors and of course, their performances, what with them occupying most of the screen space! In spite of having a single set and two primary characters, Shaffer and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz successfully create a riveting, neatly structured old school mystery, albeit not without some minor flaws. Some situations do look forced and tad unconvincing, one must admit! But the flaws are overshadowed, by a taut script with delightfully intelligent twists and by the mesmerizing performances from the two British acting giants, Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. They sure know their responsibility of carrying this entire film on their able shoulders and manage it with so much ease, they make acting look simple! Both the actors were nominated for Academy Awards for 'Best Actor' category and it's no surprise! "Sleuth" references the typical 'sleuth' akin to classic detective-crime fiction from the Agatha Christie era. Just as there is a highly intelligent detective who is usually much smarter than even the entire police force in these stories, Wyke keeps obsessing about his own detective character St. John Lord Merridew and how he would solve a particular crime and confound the officials! Do watch this film if you are a lover of good old fashioned mysteries. Though not perfect, it is certainly worth your time and money.

• John H

  
  This psychological thriller deserves more appreciation. It has a brilliant script, beautiful scenery, and two exciting performances by two very talented actors. There?s not a bore or dull moment in plain view which gives Sleuth a near perfected work of art. <br/> <br/>A… More
  This psychological thriller deserves more appreciation. It has a brilliant script, beautiful scenery, and two exciting performances by two very talented actors. There?s not a bore or dull moment in plain view which gives Sleuth a near perfected work of art. <br/> <br/>A young hairdresser named Milo Tindle is invited to a greeting with his lover?s husband, Andrew Wyke. It?s all just fun and games with the ol? prow. A simple conversation over the woman that ties them together ? Marguerite ? soon turns into a rather funny sort of action, but is taken too far when a gun is fired and a man disappears. But it?s only now, that the game truly begins. <br/> <br/>It?s difficult to say how much I admire the plot without unveiling any hidden aspects? but I?ll try. A game is all it is, really. Just a game; A ravage struggle between two men which is taken too seriously. The way it precedes is so non- expecting. There?s nothing predictable about it. Just when you think you?ve got everything figured, a new surprise comes a-knockin?. All the twists and turns will make your head spin. You really have no idea what?s going to happen next, but you desperately want to find out. Simply put, it?s a funhouse ith no escape. You become a part of the game. <br/> <br/>BOOM! That was the sound of Michael Caine blowing your mind He plays a shady, devious, little twitter whom reinvents the game?s rules. He?s cunning, stealthy, crude, crass, sly. Almost villain-like. He captures the essence of a real maniac. Not in the sort of ?serial killer? manner, but more like that of a trickster. <br/> <br/>Laurence Olivier was the master of the show! He brought so much energy and life to his character. In his funhouse of toys and games he actually seemed like a kid. The innocence, sent, smile, joy and freedom felt natural and convincing. He wasn?t like a kid, he was a kid. <br/> <br/>All of enchantment and majestic of these two flawless performances made Sleuth a mastering piece of art. All it had was two actors ? TWOACTORS! It worked out more than expected? Let the games begins.

• Corey W

  
  After a friend told me to see "Sleuth" [1972]. i had to see it! Its a good thing i did because this may be one of the greatest films i've ever seen! In England, the Italian English hairdresser Milo Tindle is invited by the successful writer of detective stories… More
  After a friend told me to see "Sleuth" [1972]. i had to see it! Its a good thing i did because this may be one of the greatest films i've ever seen! In England, the Italian English hairdresser Milo Tindle is invited by the successful writer of detective stories Andrew Wyke to visit his isolated house. The lower class Milo is the lover of Andrew's wife, who is used to have a comfortable life, and he intends to marry her. Andrew proposes Milo to steal his jewelry simulating a burglary. Milo would make a fortune selling the jewels to an intermediary; and Andrew would be reimbursed by the insurance company and would not pay alimony. However, the whole situation was part of an evil game. When Milo vanishes, a detective visits Andrew to investigate what really happened that night, when deadly games are disclosed. Now if you think that thats a dumb plot then you have no movie taste at all. The acting was simply amazing and the movie is filled with twists and turns. I loved watching the cat and mouse game between the two characters which is why i really enjoyed this film. This is an atomatic 5 stars and it hit my top 10 definatly!

• Drew S

  
  Sleuth is brilliantly written, brilliantly acted and brilliantly crafted. It is a stage adaptation of the highest form. The material gets a little samey, which even the movie itself seems to acknowledge toward the end. It's compulsively watchable entertainment, though - dialogue… More
  Sleuth is brilliantly written, brilliantly acted and brilliantly crafted. It is a stage adaptation of the highest form. The material gets a little samey, which even the movie itself seems to acknowledge toward the end. It's compulsively watchable entertainment, though - dialogue and expression that hasn't aged a drop since 1972. Perhaps it also suffers a little from being overly theatrical, but Olivier and Caine could act the hell out of a character. They are two totally unforgettable presences. And hell, it WAS a play...the adaptation is more generous than some, such as the insufferable House of Yes, but adheres enough to its source that it doesn't lose any of its original essence. If the movie has its faults, it is because of its nature, but you can't really begrudge it much.

• Cindy I

  
  A hoot of a film with a completely oddball ending. Rich eccentric Lawrence Olivier invites Michael Caine over for visit to discuss Larry's wife, who Caine is seeing on the side. Larry likes games, and suggests one with Caine. Lots of twists and turns, and just when you think you… More
  A hoot of a film with a completely oddball ending. Rich eccentric Lawrence Olivier invites Michael Caine over for visit to discuss Larry's wife, who Caine is seeing on the side. Larry likes games, and suggests one with Caine. Lots of twists and turns, and just when you think you have it figured out, they throw another curve ball at you. Watching two great actors like Caine and Olivier play off each other (which is reportedly what they did in that the script was barebones and they were told to elaborate), is always a treat, and they don't disappoint. But wtf was that ending all about? Instead of making me go "AHA!", I was left more with a feeling of "Huh?"

• Ken S

  
  This movie is incredible. 2 Guys, 1 House and a hell of a wild ride. The acting here is beyond top notch.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Joseph L. Mankiewicz's swan song united two gigantic legends in a deadly battle of wit, persuasion and humiliation. a masterful thriller with richness in dialogue, theatricality, and twists, all submerged in the purest, most malicious and delightful black humour.

• Stephen M

  
  A hugely entertaining adaptation of Anthony Shaffer's witty play. I'm hoping that the remake isn't awful but I'm not really bothered as I'll always have this to return to.

• xGary X

  
  A highly thought of whodunnit by everyone, it seems, except me. I thought it was all a bit too melodramatic and silly, but Olivier and Caine are always worth watching.

• Steve K

  
  More an excuse to watch two great actors spar with each other than a suspense film. But with these actors, it's a beautiful thing.

• Jeremy S

  
  The ultimate murder mystery,, with one of the greatest suprise endings I have ever seen. Starring only Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine in their most compelling roles. You'll never watch a who dunnit the same way again. Winner of my Top Detective Mystery Films.

• Bryce I

  
  A beautifully well done Hitchcock-style thriller, that shows that even the smallest of casts can create a suspenseful, entertaining, and cunning classic.

• Alec B

  
  A magnificent cat and mouse game, brilliantly written by Anthony Shaffer, brilliantly acted by Caine, Olivier and Cawthorne (wink, wink), and brilliantly directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Its the struggle for masculine and class dominance as it was meant to be told.

• Lauren D

  
  Although it was extremely predictable, I did enjoy it. I can't say much more than that, but the guest appearances were great and I found the movie was quite interesting.

• Lovable M

  
  Great film. Interesting story, well written script, and good acting.

• alan j

  
  brilliant duel between olivier and caine..witty, sharp, caustic...its a gem of a script..one turn after another....gripping mystery. drama, thrilling..its all here as one plays off the other...see it and enjoy!!

• cody f

  
  Good beginning and ending,but drags in the middle with a major flaw. Olivier and Caine are great together.

• Grifty G

  
  fun film based on a play, 2 great actors going head to head, the only problem is the second act is undermined by being based on a twist you see coming from a mile away

• Wu C

  
  Snappy dialogue and cool performance from the 2 leads help carry this stage play.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings