Nineteen Nineteen [19/19] *** (1985, Paul Scofield, Maria Schell, Colin Firth, Clare Higgins, Diana Quick, voice of Frank Finlay) – Classic Movie Review 10,466

Director Hugh Brody’s fascinating 1985 British independent film drama Nineteen Nineteen [19/19] is a worthy though wordy look back at the past as, 65 years on, two imagined former patients of Dr Sigmund Freud discuss their histories and relationships with the good doctor.

It is certainly worth seeing for the highly impressive cast – Paul Scofield and Maria Schell as the patients Alexander Scherbatov and Sophie Rubin, Colin Firth as Young Alexander, Clare Higgins as Young Alexander, Diana Quick as Anna, and Frank Finlay as the voice of Freud – even if they are somewhat submerged under some pretentious dialogue and the rather heavy-handed direction.

Along with the performances, Irving Strasburg’s photography (in colour and black and white) and Caroline Amies’s sets are memorable.

Also in the cast are Sandra Berkin, Alan Tilvern, Bridget Amies, Willy Bowman, Norman Chancer, Jacqui Dankworth [Jacqueline Dankworth], Christine Hargreaves, Keith Kraushaar and Chris Lahr.

Scofield initiated the London stage role of Salieri in the play Amadeus and Finlay took over.

Nineteen Nineteen [19/19] is directed by Hugh Brody, runs 99 minutes, is made by British Film Institute (BFI) Production Board and Channel Four Films, is released by British Film Institute (BFI) (1985) (UK) and International Spectrafilm (1986) (US), is written by Hugh Brody and Michael Ignatieff, is shot in colour and black and white by Irving Strasburg, is produced by Nita Amy, is scored by Brian Gascoigne and is designed by Caroline Amies.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,466

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