Masquerade
1965 · United Kingdom · 102 min
- Director
- Basil Dearden
- Screenplay
- William Goldman
- Producer
- Michael Relph
- Music
- Philip Green
- Cinematography
- Otto Heller
- Editing
- John D. Guthridge
Cast
What it is about
The British government sets up a secret operation to protect its oil interests in Ramat, a fictional Middle Eastern country, as the young heir to the throne nears power. To carry it out, it recruits David Frazer, a former wartime comrade of Colonel Drexel, who must wait at a safe house in Spain. There he meets Sophie, a young Frenchwoman, and a group of strangers whose intentions are unclear.
How it was made
The film is based on Victor Canning's 1954 novel Castle Minerva. Rex Harrison was originally set to star but dropped out, and Cliff Robertson took the role. William Goldman, whose first screen credit this was, was hired to Americanize the dialogue for Robertson. Filming began at Pinewood Studios in June 1964 under the working title The Shabby Tiger before the unit moved to Madrid. Basil Dearden directed this light-toned caper with cinematography by Otto Heller.
Reception and legacy
Producer Michael Relph called it really quite good and one of those pure entertainment films. Filmink was less generous, praising some clever twists and Marisa Mell's appeal but faulting the film's emotionally hollow core and Robertson's lack of personality to carry it alone.
Stills
Trailer
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Trivia
A last-minute replacement
Rex Harrison was originally meant to star, but he dropped out and Cliff Robertson was hired to replace him.
Goldman's first credit
It was the first screen credit for novelist William Goldman, hired to Americanize the dialogue.
More films by Basil Dearden
Khartoum
Dead of Night
Victim
Woman of Straw
The Assassination Bureau
The League of GentlemenOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.