Review of Woman of Straw

"Woman of Straw" was a change of pace for Sean Connery as his star was on the ascendency when this film was filmed in 1963, courtesy of James Bond. Connery hasn't often played true villains during his career but he is about as evil as it gets in this film. He plays a ruthless and conniving nephew who wants to lay claim to his wealthy uncle's estate. Impeccably played by Ralph Richardson as the said uncle, this character isn't exactly worthy of much sympathy either. He is a tyrant in the way he treats his staff and is a bigot in addition. Upon having a new nurse employed to look after the ailing uncle at his mansion, Sean Connery persuades her to marry Richardson so as to gain control of his wealth. However, things don't go according to plan and nothing is quite what it seems.......... In my opinion, Connery should have been given top billing. His acting is convincing and I can believe that he is playing an evil character. His Italian leading lady is poor on the other hand. If she isn't being hysterical, she is being totally wooden. The plot is pretty good but the running time is a bit long. I don't understand why the film moves to a foreign location at one stage, it makes no sense and dilutes any kind of mystery. Luckily, the action returns to England and builds to an effective climax. The sets for the mansion in question are very good. The whole house has a cold and rather austere atmosphere to it and it works. A more obscure film in Sean Connery's career but a good one.