Woman of Straw

The legendary Sir Ralph Richardson gives a delightful performance as a crippled multi millionaire who marries nurse Gina Lollobrigida as part of nephew Sean Connery's revenge plot against him. Having been mistreated by him for years, Connery claims that all he wants is a million pounds of the estate but the reluctant Lollobrigida becomes wary of the scheme, having seen various bits of vulnerability in the outrageously cruel Richardson. A bizarre twist of fate leads Lollobrigida to go on trial for murder but there's hidden truth inside the Downton Abbey like mansion that Richardson owned and the lavishly yacht he sailed on. For the hour and fifteen minutes that Richardson is on screen, this is his film completely. He's malicious beyond words, making his black servants act like circus dogs and jump over each other (strictly for amusement) and delays the rescue of one of them when they fall off his yacht during a huge storm at sea. There's the most vile of insults towards everybody who works for him, is related to him, or does business with him. Then how does he get the sympathy? The character Richardson plays is unrelentingly demanding, but the performance is absolutely commanding. Coming off of several Bond films, Connery is elegant, romantic, but brutal towards Lollobrigida, striking her viciously when he thinks she's not going through their plans. Part of the plot line is oh so predictable, but there are moments when you are not sure that the script is going to go there. It reminds me of a modern set version of a 1955 Gothic thriller, "Footsteps in the Fog", where Stewart Granger found himself blackmailed by servant girl Jean Simmons. Lollobrigida seems too good to be true, but it's nice to see a female character in a scheme like this not being a deadly femme fatale. Beautiful art direction and location photography add to the film's strengths. Alexander Knox adds a brief commanding presence as the detective who uncovers everything.

Did I miss the reference to this? Is it something obvious and I am being obtuse? Does it reference jail bedding? Something to do with the Italian background? Something to do with the characters strength? I usually am looking for a verbal stating of a film's title but I wonder if I missed it if it was spoken by Gina L. I found her difficult to understand in several places. The film was interesting in getting to listen to the Sean Connery "Bond" voice while he played a villain. It's major downfall was the slow pacing of the first half the film. I thought they were never going to get to the actual action since the plot is quite formulaic and it was never in doubt where it was headed.

Charles Richmond (Ralph Richardson) is an elderly, angry tyrant....and a rich one at that. He treats everyone around him with contempt....and is a racist and treats his black servants like dogs. All in all, it's hard to like anything about the man. So, it's not surprising that his new nurse (Gina Lollobrigida) stomps off the job. What is surprising is when Richmond, in a strange act of contrition and decency, seeks her out and even apologizes for his actions. After all, he misses her. What is most surprising, however, is what happens next...he asks her to marry him...and she agrees. Whether she agrees because she genuinely likes him or because Richmond's handsome nephew (Sean Connery) convinces her to marry him because they will share the money soon (after all, Richmond is sickly and old) is unknown. What happens next...well, I'll let you find out about that if you watch the film. I just don't want to spoil the story by telling you more. Although the film has a modest score currently of 6.7 and was a box office disappointment, I actually enjoyed the movie....mostly because it was so original. Overall, a very good film and one that will keep you guessing!

Wheelchair in opening (and lingering) credits. We see wheelchair as vehicle by which aged zillionaire is moved around. At end of movie, Sean Connery's cowardly, fleeing character is hit by wheelchair, and he tumbles down many stairs until he hits his head on steps and dies. A fitting ending to a nasty villain. I was hoping the uncle was really alive, playing a dastardly trick on nephew and "widow". Great performances by all actors. I was even hoping the whodunit was done by Thomas and/or his brother, as they had been so humiliated by the old buzzard, or even the yacht captain who had also been personally embarrassed. I felt that the way that old Richmond treated the servants was extremely racist and uncalled-for; I hope that this movie could not have been made today, with its decimatingly cruel treatment of persons who are not of the so-called white elite. The fitting ending, however, was that said wheelchair was sent rolling (aimed?) by one of the aforementioned servants (I am not sure which one), hitting Sean Connery as if it had been Oddjob's murderous hat from "Goldfinger". I studied Italian in the last three years. I enjoyed listening to Gina Lollobrigida's accent and her speaking some Italian to people on the island. She had top billing in this movie. It was about HER. She looked stunning and ravishing. I was hoping that her character would tell old Richmond daily to go to hell and to stop being such a spoiled brat, as her price for marrying him. At any rate, she ended up taming him, and he ended up softening up from being a previously very evil man. I enjoyed this movie. I realize Sean Connery wanted to play the villain this time, and he did so very well, even to the point of becoming sadistic and schizo-lunatic-psycho; you get the picture.

Another chamber drama masterpiece by Basil Dearden in spectacular surroundings, in a castle in Britain, on the Mediterranean and at Mallorca, with three outstanding actors all three outwitting each other in turns, Ralph Richardson in a virtuoso performance as a dying old man in a wheelchair, Sean Connery as his dashing and cleverly intriguing nephew, and Gina Lollobrigida as the beauty in the game, employed as the old man's nurse but finding herself used for other means. Alexander Knox marches in later on as a police inspector, and the dogs play an important part as well. It's an amazing thriller beginning rather suavely as no one can suspect anything, but as the intrigue develops there is a decisive crisis half way into the film, from which moment on the plot never stops thickening. The music also plays an important and impressing part, mostly Beethoven (Fidelio above all) but also Berlioz, Rimsky-Korsakov (Capriccio Espagnol) and Mozart. It's a splendid film that should appeal to just anyone who can enjoy a good movie.

I have been searching for this film on VHS for over 17 years, and it is now available. I first saw this film in the mid 60's and have admired it ever since. It is beautifully filmed and has a great performance from Ralph Richardson. Gina portrays a sympathetic character and you will never see Sean Connery more vile or evil than is this film. Practically the entire soundtrack consists of classical music excerpts that served as my introduction to classical music while I was in grade school. The posters and graphics used to advertise this film give you the impression that it is a sensuous murder mystery, which it is not. It is well-paced and full of surprises. If you are a fan of Hitchcock, you will enjoy this film.

I had heard of this movie for years, but never saw it on cable TV or on DVD, but did stumble across it on NetFlix. This movie was filmed around the time Connery made From Russia with Love. I had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised that it's a pretty good thriller, and a great "Bond" bonus for Connery fans. The character of Tony Richmond has a lot of overlap with James Bond - his wardrobe, looks, association with fancy locales and sports cars, and treatment of women. As you watch Connery in this role, you will not be able to avoid thinking of him as Bond. That's not a bad thing, and doesn't detract from the movie, itself. But rather, I look at it as a bonus Bond movie. Connery was at his physical peak during the filming of this movie. His appearance, vocal delivery, and acting are also some of his best work in a film. I think Connery's physical appearance changed so rapidly between 1962 and, say, 1980, that every year he looked markedly different than the year before. Fans of Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger will appreciate seeing Connery in this movie when all his looks and skills were at their finest. If you have a couple hours to spend watching an older style film, or are a big Sean Connery fan, this is a recommended movie.

"Woman of Straw" is another fine movie directed by Basil Dearden, impossible to miss when you see Sean Connery and Gina Lollobrigida. Sean Connery is at his best period (James Bond), and he has here a very disturbing character ploting against his uncle, a violent racist tyran tycoon (superb Ralph Richardson). And Gina is his weapon. Lot of nasty twists, fine cinematography in color, great locations (Majorca), and a great ending.

This film is a personal favorite of mine, a guilty pleasure that I return to quite often. It's not a masterpiece, but I'm drawn to its style and premise. The plot is an intriguing, far-fetched tale of greed that turns to murder and deception played out in a wealthy English country estate and aboard a yacht in the Mediterranean Sea. Lovely to look at as well are the two stars: a suave, well tailored Sean Connery in his prime, and the incomparable Gina Lollobrigida decked out in a Dior wardrobe and looking as up-to-date today as she did half a century ago. It's not like watching an old movie at all. In addition to her appearance, she gives a compelling performance. How could anyone not enjoy two hours of this? "Woman of Straw" came toward the end of Basil Dearden's career and his direction is experienced and sure-handed. The intelligent script contains some thoughtful statements on racism and class structure. This profound bit of dialog is uttered by the tyrannical millionaire, played by Ralph Richardson, when reminiscing about his late wife: "She never raised her voice to me, never tried to wheedle anything out of me. She was exceptional. She died in great pain. A kind nature is no defense against sickness and death, so what's the point of it?" Gems like this have me hanging on every word. The cat and mouse game goes on a little too long and taxes suspension of disbelief, but it's a fun-filled journey all the way.

Trying to find this film on video or DVD is beyond impossible. It's currently playing on FLIX (August/2002), and is certainly worth a look. Sir Sean Connery did a wonderful job of taking the cool sophistication that made his interpretation of James Bond the watermark for all others and turning it sideways, making Anthony Richmond a nephew you do *not* want to invite to the family reunion.