A great film that conquers with the diabolical game starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine
April 20, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
Updated April 20, 2024, 17:07
The great news on the platforms sometimes means that we do not delve into their catalogue, where one can find real gems. For example, on Amazon Prime Video you can enjoy a masterpiece of suspense cinema, in which two actors in a state of grace round out one of the best thrillers in the history of cinema.
‘The Footprint’ is the latest feature film by Joseph L. Mankiewiczlegendary director to whom we also owe other unforgettable titles such as ‘The Ghost and Mrs. Muir’, ‘Letter to Three Wives’ either ‘Eve naked’. For the occasion it has a precise and brilliant script by Anthony Shaffer based on a play by Shaffer himself, in which the dialogues play a fundamental role to create a diabolical game of cat and mouse full of surprises.
A great movie
Within this game we have some extraordinary Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, with the first using his experience to try to maintain a position, while the second proves to be more than up to par with his co-star. In fact, both were nominated for the Oscar for best actor, but they were unlucky to face Marlon Brando and his unforgettable Vito Corleone for ‘The Godfather’.
Despite its theatrical roots, ‘La Huella’ feels like a film at all times, something that is helped by Mankiewicz’s well-worked staging so that everything breathes and adds to a story at the service of only two characters. Any type of limitation could have turned against a film that It far exceeds two hours of footage, but it is all so fluid, entertaining and fascinating that it flies by.
Shaffer’s brilliant dialogues They become another of the film’s essential bases, through which that playful touch that extends through the film at all levels is enhanced. Furthermore, it balances very well between a touch of bad temper, thus introducing an extraordinary black comedy component, and a more dramatic approach, thus embracing its status as a psychological thriller.
And everything here fits together wonderfully, because I haven’t forgotten the soundtrack of John Addisonespecially the unmistakable song Overture that as soon as one hears it in any situation it irremediably refers to the film.
In 2007, a new version was released in which Caine assumed the character played here by Olivier – the other main role was played by Jude Law-. I don’t think the tape Kenneth Branagh It may be a despicable proposal, but I don’t consider it to be particularly notable either, and it obviously pales in comparison to the film directed by Mankiewicz.
By the way, if you don’t have Amazon Prime Video available, ‘La Huella’ is also available on Filmin. In addition, you also have the option of getting it on Blu-ray for 11.90 euros, but I warn you not to expect amazing HD image quality, as this is a title that It has not yet benefited from a restoration to its height.
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