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[fdsmedia]

Not a British film per se, but at least a British director! Been dying to see this one, and just found out that it passed BBFC uncut in 2006 courtesy of Optimum Releasing, so I really hope they will release it soon! I have read about French and Spanish DVD releases but apparently they are of inferior quality.

Anyone seen this? It does have some noteworthy performers like Maria Rohm, Adolfo Celi, Gert Fröbe, Herbert Lom and Elke Sommer - sounds promising!

[R-T-C Tim]

Don't forget Richard Attenborough and Oliver Reed!

Another classic Harry Alan Towers production, shot in pre-revolutionary Iran IIRC.

[ecc]

The Spanish version has a prologue with Teresa Gimpera and Rik Battaglia justifying their screen credits.  There is a French DVD that is anamorphic widescreen with English credits but only French audio.  The Optimum DVD if it gets released will probably be the same transfer.

[Vito Cipriani]

Didn't this used to get shown in fairly heavy rotation on British television, during the 1980s? I'm sure I've seen it before, but the different film adaptations of Christie's novel have all blurred into one in my memory.

I reread the novel recently, and bought Rene Clair's adaptation, together with the 1960s movie. I'd really like to see Collinson's film version again.

[ecc]

and bought Rene Clair's adaptation

How are R2 releases of this one?  Both the VCI disc and the Image "restoration" are none-too-special.

[Vito Cipriani]

and bought Rene Clair's adaptation

How are R2 releases of this one?  Both the VCI disc and the Image "restoration" are none-too-special.

I'd like to know too. I bought the Image DVD, which is passable but, as you say, nothing special.

[ecc]

Anyone have a DVDR of the English version so I could do a fandub of the French disc?

[Jonny]

Eric's review / comparison guide is now on the main site...

Ten Little Indians - DVD review

[Johan Melle]

Excellent work! Even though I've heard several bad things about this, I've always wanted to see it - largely because of the great cast.

Btw, I think there actually was a Spanish DVD release of this that includes the extra footage with Teresa Gimpera but it is now long OOP. I can't say for absolutely sure, though. Perhaps someone else knows more about this?

[ecc]

The Spanish DVD came out in 2004 and is out of print.

[The Hunchback]

Does this have an ending similar to the book?

I remember watching the "okay" 1965 version which has the biggest cop out ending imaginable.
IMDB

[Johan Melle]

I believe all of the three versions produced by Towers (and also the old Rene Clair one) use the alternate, more uplifting ending unlike that in the book. In all fairness though, it was Agatha Christie herself that came up with this new ending when she adapted the story for the stage. It's a less grim conclusion and hence more appealing to a "mass audience" so I guess that's why most of the filmmakers who adapted the story for the screen have opted for this ending. There is, however, a Russian version, DESYAT NEGRITYAT (1987), that retains the original conclusion from the book.

[ecc]

Christie also significantly simplified her stage adaptation of APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH (the Cannon film version is actually closer to the book).

[fdsmedia]

The film was submitted to BBFC by Optimum Releasing in September 2006, so I really hope they're gonna release it soon...

[ecc]

Of all the adaptations by Towers, I think Collinson's could've pulled off the downbeat ending.

When I put together the fandub, I found that not only did I have to reposition some shots during the opening (see my review) but I also had to add the opening establishing shot from an AVI of a VHS-rip because it was not present in the French version.