Wetherby *** (1985, Vanessa Redgrave, Ian Holm, Judi Dench, Marjorie Yates, Tom Wilkinson, Joely Richardson) – Classic Movie Review 10,332

The 1985 British drama Wetherby is a typical piece from writer David Hare – dour, intelligent and enigmatic – with Vanessa Redgrave starring as Jean Travers, a spinster teacher interested in a weird chap (Tim McInnerny) who turns up unbidden at her party in the suburb of Wetherby, then mysteriously kills himself before her. She then busies herself with the cop (Stuart Wilson) in the case.

One of Redgrave’s daughters, Joely Richardson, plays the young version of her character in flashbacks.

It is writer Hare’s first film as director.

Joint winner of the Golden Bear for best film at Berlin in 1985 (tied with The Woman and the Stranger (1985).

It was made for just £1,250,000, but it earned $1,299,985 at the cinema box office.

Also in the cast are Ian Holm, Judi Dench, Marjorie Yates, Tom Wilkinson, Penny Downie, Stuart Wilson, Joely Richardson, Suzanna Hamilton, Christopher Fulford and Matthew Guinness.

Judi Dench was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Wetherby is directed by David Hare, runs 98 minutes, is made by  Film Four International, Greenpoint Films and Zenith Entertainment, is released by Palace Video (1985) (UK), is written by David Hare, is shot by Stuart Harris, produced by Simon Relph and Patsy Pollock (associate producer), scored by Nick Bicât and designed by Hayden Griffin.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,332

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com