The better question is not whether we believe in God but does God believe in us.
The better question is not whether we believe in God but does God believe in us.
Member since:02.07.2005
Reviews:43
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Before Alfred Hitchcock went on to make American films like Psycho, he was obsessed with making movies in the comedy /thriller /mystery genre with a distinctive English touch to them. Even after the advent of colour TV, I can totally understand why this film, so rich in humour and class, remains an unforgettable classic to this very day. The Lady Vanishes is definitely one of Hitchcock's best (and I would say also the funniest!) from that bygone era and also his last before he went to America. It's always difficult to write a review on a thriller without giving too much away but I'll try.
SYNOPSIS: A lengthy introduction to the characters takes place in a hotel before the set goes onto the train where the mystery begins. Iris is a woman who met an elderly lady by the name of Ms. Froy back at the hotel and takes pleasure in extending their friendship on the train. Unfortunately the lady vanishes into thin air after Iris' nap and everybody denies even seeing such a person! Together with the help of a slightly obnoxious skirt-chaser, Gilbert, they investigate the matter further only to find out that many things aren't as it seems on the train and all the characters seem to have something to hide.
CAST: Everyone was perfect. Margaret Lockwood as Iris and Michael Redgrave as the suave Gilbert make a perfect couple. Everything they say to each other is so delightful, it reminds me of When Harry Met Sally or You've Got Mail because the pair always starts off fighting like cats and dogs before eventually falling for each other. Caldicott and Charters, the two cricket-obsessed passengers were brilliantly played by Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford. All the other peripheral characters like the circus family, the nun, the doctor and the bad men were always never short of convincing.
MOST MEMORABLE LINE: Charters: You can't expect to put the two of us up in the maid's room! Hotel Manager: Now don't get excited. I'll remove the maid out.
BEST SCENE: Possibly when the self-involved British duo were at the restaurant, demanding service as if they're kings just because they're British citizens. Hilarious!
IMDB RATING: 8.1/10
MY RATING: 7/10
VERDICT: Even if you're not a fan of black and white films, surely this classic can appeal to you because it's got everything in it and this is something which is very very rare in all films of that age. Go on, give it a try. Meanwhile I'm going to run a search on eBay for the 1979 remake of this with Cybill Shepherd in it.
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Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
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