Sleuth

Whoa, the games people play: director Joseph Mankiewicz's final film, a masterful 1972 adaptation of Anthony Shaffer's fiendishly clever Tony Award-winning thriller, keeps the audience on its toes until the very last twist with its hugely entertaining labyrinthine plot. In their Oscar-nominated performances, Laurence Olivier stars as mystery novelist Andrew Wyke, with Michael Caine as hairdresser Milo Tindle, whom Wyke invites to his estate. Since Milo is already having an affair with Wyke's wife, Wyke boldly suggests an elaborate charade, a phony robbery scheme that will take his wife off his hands and allow Milo to support her in the lavish lifestyle to which she has become accustomed. But that is only the bare beginning in this escalating contest of one-upmanship. The cast is flawless, with special kudos to a certain Oscar-winning actor's surprise cameo as intrepid Inspector Doppler, who arrives at Wyke's estate investigating what to all appearances looks like murder. Boasting a reasonably sharp transfer, the DVD also includes an engrossing 23-minute conversation with Shaffer that should only be watched after the film as it contains plot spoilers. Highly recommended. (K. Lee Benson)