I saw this film on TV nearly 45 years ago in black and white. I remembered at the time that it had received a lot of negative criticism.
However I saw it recently and loved it. Black and white was never the way to see it; this is a stylish mystery that looks fabulous in colour. And the Beethoven soundtrack beat out Kubrick's use of the old Ludwig Van in "A Clockwork Orange" by 7 years.
Sean Connery plays Anthony Richmond who schemes to get his hands on the fortune of his tyrannical, wheelchair-bound Uncle Charles. Ralph Richardson's Uncle Charles displays his meanness credentials early when he humiliates two of his black servants in a scene that would probably have patrons walking out of the theatre these days.
Anthony persuades Maria Marcello, an Italian nurse played by Gina Lollobrigida, to ingratiate herself with Uncle Charles in order to get him to marry her. After the fragile old chap's inevitable demise she would inherit his fortune, which she and Anthony would share. That's the plan, but it all comes spectacularly unstuck, especially after Maria becomes fond of Uncle Charles.
There are revelations before it ends and plenty of tears.
Although there are a few peripheral characters: servants, policemen and lawyers, this is essentially a three-hander between Sean Connery, Ralph Richardson and 'La Lollo'.
Gina Lollobrigida was an inspired choice for the film. The warm, sensuous quality she exudes as Maria contrasts with the cold, monumental architecture of the Richmond estate and the upper class formality of Anthony and Uncle Charles.
Apparently 'La Lollo' was difficult and temperamental and didn't get on with the director, Basil Dearden, or with Sean Connery. Interesting then that years later in an interview she once described Cary Grant as "all right, but in my opinion no comparison to Sean Connery".
Unfortunately "Woman of Straw" couldn't maintain the pace; the ending is just a little too pat. However I feel the film is at least as good as Hitchcock's "Marnie", which was made around the same time also starring Sean Connery, and considering the flaws in that film, it may even be better.
However I saw it recently and loved it. Black and white was never the way to see it; this is a stylish mystery that looks fabulous in colour. And the Beethoven soundtrack beat out Kubrick's use of the old Ludwig Van in "A Clockwork Orange" by 7 years.
Sean Connery plays Anthony Richmond who schemes to get his hands on the fortune of his tyrannical, wheelchair-bound Uncle Charles. Ralph Richardson's Uncle Charles displays his meanness credentials early when he humiliates two of his black servants in a scene that would probably have patrons walking out of the theatre these days.
Anthony persuades Maria Marcello, an Italian nurse played by Gina Lollobrigida, to ingratiate herself with Uncle Charles in order to get him to marry her. After the fragile old chap's inevitable demise she would inherit his fortune, which she and Anthony would share. That's the plan, but it all comes spectacularly unstuck, especially after Maria becomes fond of Uncle Charles.
There are revelations before it ends and plenty of tears.
Although there are a few peripheral characters: servants, policemen and lawyers, this is essentially a three-hander between Sean Connery, Ralph Richardson and 'La Lollo'.
Gina Lollobrigida was an inspired choice for the film. The warm, sensuous quality she exudes as Maria contrasts with the cold, monumental architecture of the Richmond estate and the upper class formality of Anthony and Uncle Charles.
Apparently 'La Lollo' was difficult and temperamental and didn't get on with the director, Basil Dearden, or with Sean Connery. Interesting then that years later in an interview she once described Cary Grant as "all right, but in my opinion no comparison to Sean Connery".
Unfortunately "Woman of Straw" couldn't maintain the pace; the ending is just a little too pat. However I feel the film is at least as good as Hitchcock's "Marnie", which was made around the same time also starring Sean Connery, and considering the flaws in that film, it may even be better.