JohnHowardReid Review of The Lady Vanishes

The Lady Vanishes (1979)

An indifferent remake of the Hitchcock classic!

[6/10 · 10 June 2015]

There's no need to get excited when you see George Axelrod listed in the credits as the screenwriter, for this is a very tepid remake of the Alfred Hitchcock classic which comes off second best in all respects. At least no attempt has been made to update the plot. Unfortunately, it just seems far more ridiculous in color and widescreen. The character changes are also no improvement. Admittedly, the original movie was a bit too talky, but this version positively wallows in inconsequential dialogue. Just about all the roles have been built up with more talk, but there is no corresponding increase in the action sequences, and the direction, alas, is totally unimaginative. Admittedly, some of the action is effectively managed, particularly the fight on board the train, but the climax is run of the mill. The director's main concern is obviously to bring every word of Axelrod's indifferent dialogue to viewers' ears. The actors are also hampered by the director's unimaginative use of close-ups which draw further attention to the weak script. Both Eliott Gould and Cybill Shepherd try hard to overcome all the drawbacks, but with not a great deal of success. In any case, this version is far to long for its thin plot. The colorful photography doesn't help either. It conveys about as much atmosphere and suspense as pink frosting on a butter cake. True, production values are good, but it's the story that counts, not the scenery.