19 reviews
Quietly provocative drama about the consequences of love...
Pretty but man-shy art-appraiser in London, alienated from the opposite sex due to one leg affected by childhood polio, is courted by a struggling artist and falls in love; soon after moving in with him, however, he demands her help in a burglary, leaving her unsure whether he ever loved her or perhaps was simply using her. Flawlessly acted, rather brilliantly assembled adaptation of Winston Graham's book is a bit slow, yet incredibly assured. Director Eric Till shows a deft touch in weaving sequences together, keeping a fluid pace, and he's helped by wonderful editing and cinematography. The film examines deeply the issues of trust and love...and the consequences of those emotions when they are blind to reality. A real sleeper, with Samantha Eggar giving one of her finest performances. *** from ****
- moonspinner55
- Jul 5, 2010
- Permalink
Icon turns seedy.
David Hemmings was THE Icon of Swinging 1960's London following his performance in 'Blow Up'. Here he plays Leigh, a slightly sinister seedy artist in 1969/ 70's London, who picks up Deborah (a very beautiful Samantha Eggar) at a fashionable party in Hampstead.
Leigh is a sordid betrayer and crook who may be only using Deborah to gain access to the auction house she works in. When she realises this, Deborah proves to be capable of dealing with the problem and her walking stick, far from eliciting sympathy for her minor disability, proves to be a prop for her strengths.
It is a good example of British Cinema. A strong storyline, originally by author Winston Graham, is moved along by well lit, deep technical images of a London that has in the case of the West India Dock sequences disappeared. And unlike modern films it is not afraid of silence. The music is sparse and appropriate (check out the guitar solo. Isn't it familiar?).
This is a film to buy and watch when the alternative on a wet Bank Holiday is endless 'Carry-On' or Sitcom spin-off films being shown back-to-back on TV.
Leigh is a sordid betrayer and crook who may be only using Deborah to gain access to the auction house she works in. When she realises this, Deborah proves to be capable of dealing with the problem and her walking stick, far from eliciting sympathy for her minor disability, proves to be a prop for her strengths.
It is a good example of British Cinema. A strong storyline, originally by author Winston Graham, is moved along by well lit, deep technical images of a London that has in the case of the West India Dock sequences disappeared. And unlike modern films it is not afraid of silence. The music is sparse and appropriate (check out the guitar solo. Isn't it familiar?).
This is a film to buy and watch when the alternative on a wet Bank Holiday is endless 'Carry-On' or Sitcom spin-off films being shown back-to-back on TV.
- richard-meredith27
- Nov 28, 2005
- Permalink
The Walking Stick (1970) - A woman's lonely world
- rexshard93
- Jan 12, 2012
- Permalink
A Movie Never To Be Forgotten
Curtailing evil, criminal intentions, a dashing young man, Leigh, seduces and persuades the dreary, moderate polio victim Deborah Dainton into falling in love with him. Deborah leads a neatly organized life, and is obligated to see it being reduced to shreds when she discovers her boyfriend is part of a gang who intends to rob the auction house in which she works in. That's when Deborah has to come to grips with the fact that Leigh may have maintained a relationship with her solely for the benefit of the heist.
This is an utterly unforgettable study on bitterness, hope and disappointment. We get to witness the magnificence of Eggar's performance as her character slowly discovers what Leigh - David Hemmings - truly had in mind when they began living together. And how Eggar manages to show that her bad leg does not stop her from being as tricky - if not trickier - than the good for nothing Leigh.
'The Walking Stick' is an emotionally-charged melodrama that does not appeal to tacky tearjerker clichés. Everything is beautifully executed in a low-key, calm and yet gut-wrenchingly real manner, with an emotionally disarming ending that will leave you sobbing.
This is an utterly unforgettable study on bitterness, hope and disappointment. We get to witness the magnificence of Eggar's performance as her character slowly discovers what Leigh - David Hemmings - truly had in mind when they began living together. And how Eggar manages to show that her bad leg does not stop her from being as tricky - if not trickier - than the good for nothing Leigh.
'The Walking Stick' is an emotionally-charged melodrama that does not appeal to tacky tearjerker clichés. Everything is beautifully executed in a low-key, calm and yet gut-wrenchingly real manner, with an emotionally disarming ending that will leave you sobbing.
Cocoa is an aphrodisiac
A little-known and surprisingly good psychological thriller.
Based on a Winston Graham novel, (he of "Marnie" fame), Eric Till's "The Walking Stick" is, perhaps surprisingly, a good psychological thriller that came and went without too many people seeing it. Okay, Till was no Hitchcock, (this was only his second feature after the excellent, and again little-seen and underrated, "Hot Millions"), and the film does suffer from a little too much soft-focus prettiness at times but he does make great use of his London locations, draws first-rate performances from leads David Hemmings and Samantha Eggar and ensures the thriller plot builds to a reasonably satisfactory climax.
Eggar is the girl whose early polio means she has to use the walking stick of the title and Hemmings is the not particularly good painter she meets at a party. They start a romance but then she begins to suspect he may not be all that he first seemed. Others caught up in proceedings include Emlyn Williams as Hemmings' shady 'patron' and Phyllis Calvert as Eggar's somewhat aloof mother. It's certainly no classic but it is also much better than its original reputation might have suggested and is worth seeking out.
Eggar is the girl whose early polio means she has to use the walking stick of the title and Hemmings is the not particularly good painter she meets at a party. They start a romance but then she begins to suspect he may not be all that he first seemed. Others caught up in proceedings include Emlyn Williams as Hemmings' shady 'patron' and Phyllis Calvert as Eggar's somewhat aloof mother. It's certainly no classic but it is also much better than its original reputation might have suggested and is worth seeking out.
- MOscarbradley
- May 8, 2019
- Permalink
Love enters the lonely world of a young woman - or does it.
a heist with david hemmings, samantha eggar
David hemmings, four years after his huge hit blowup. In that one, he was a struggling photographer... in this one, he's a struggling artist. The first half of the film is the progression of leigh and deborah's romance. We hear several time about how much she values honesty and trust. So when leigh starts asking about the security at deborah's workplace, she knows he's up to something. Will she go along with it? It's quite good. In the late 60s and 70s, the studios made tons of films about heists and hijackings. This one is pretty good. Directed by eric till. Till also directed hot millions, one of the best films in the world. Check it out!
An underrated and lovely film...
A very beatiful low key film about a woman and a man meeting and getting to know one another little by little. Underneath, things are not what they appear to be...
In "Walking Stick" Samantha Eggar and David Hemmings give very fine and clear performances as unseeming Londoners. The actors were very hot and coveted starlets at the end of the sixties, starring in loads of ambitious films and then later never to be heard from again... Shame really, they´re brilliant.
In "Walking Stick" Samantha Eggar and David Hemmings give very fine and clear performances as unseeming Londoners. The actors were very hot and coveted starlets at the end of the sixties, starring in loads of ambitious films and then later never to be heard from again... Shame really, they´re brilliant.
There's depression in the details.
- mark.waltz
- May 6, 2022
- Permalink
The last film made at MGM Borehamwood
According to the list on Wikipedia this film was the last film made at what was regarded at the time as the best studios in this country. Little surprise bearing in mind that MGM had lost $30million dollars in the previous year.
You have to surmise that if they were distributing films such as this then it is little surprise.
This is supposed to be a thriller but it is just so slow and dull. Compare it for example to "Robbery"made in 1967,which keeps you on the edge of your seats. This film doesn't even start to get going till after half way by which time I had all but lost interest.
Interesting to see the exterior of the National Film Theatre on the South Bank.
The last film of Emlyn Williams.
You have to surmise that if they were distributing films such as this then it is little surprise.
This is supposed to be a thriller but it is just so slow and dull. Compare it for example to "Robbery"made in 1967,which keeps you on the edge of your seats. This film doesn't even start to get going till after half way by which time I had all but lost interest.
Interesting to see the exterior of the National Film Theatre on the South Bank.
The last film of Emlyn Williams.
- malcolmgsw
- Oct 15, 2024
- Permalink
Very very good!
Three English movies "obsessed" me all my life and I always wanted to see them and watch them again and again: "The Walking Stick" (1970), "The Collector" (1965) and "Our Mother's House" (1967). And, I've seen and re-seen them many times. And I would see them again with the same great pleasure. All three have something magical. All three have also something tragic, melancholic, they are particularly sad and all three are about love, about the big failure in love. The first two star Samantha Eggar, actually, she is the movies. Her acting is impeccably perfect. She is of a unique beauty, you can't help but fall in love with her. That's what happened to me. This is not actually a
review, but an eternal declaration of love, mine to Samantha Eggar. She really convinces you that is a crippled person here, that she has polio. There are two other great actors in the film, David Hemmings and Dudley Sutton. Excellent director Eric Till, excellent music, an exceptional film.
- RodrigAndrisan
- Jun 9, 2020
- Permalink
want him to be a serial killer
London single gal Deborah Dainton (Samantha Eggar) has physical disability from childhood polio and is pursued by Leigh Hartley (David Hemmings) at a party. She lives a sheltered life under her mother and works at an auction house.
I really want him to be a serial killer. Sadly, I read the summary before watching the movie. That kind of unknown could work well in this movie, but I'm already spoiled before I started. It makes the first half more a waiting game and the caper is not that caper-tastic. It's alright. The romance has a scent of creepiness which again would make for a great serial killer thriller. At last, that's not this.
I really want him to be a serial killer. Sadly, I read the summary before watching the movie. That kind of unknown could work well in this movie, but I'm already spoiled before I started. It makes the first half more a waiting game and the caper is not that caper-tastic. It's alright. The romance has a scent of creepiness which again would make for a great serial killer thriller. At last, that's not this.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jul 4, 2024
- Permalink
Interesting romance thriller
The first thing I noticed was the music, the very same as in DEER HUNTER, of course the composer is the very same. Second, is that Samantha Eggar and David Hemmings are totally, entirely in their place in this movie which seemed to have been made for them. Samantha Eggar had more or less the same kind of character in THE COLLECTOR, where she had to co star Terry Stamp, remember? Of course it was a total different story, but the same kind of poor naive and victim female. So, this crime romance drama is pretty cute, very British indeed, and convincing acting helps much to keep you glued to it. Could have been far far worse.
- searchanddestroy-1
- Mar 11, 2024
- Permalink
Cane mutiny
Director Eric Till keeps the action clipping along in this romantic thriller, a love story built around a heist. At the height of his fame, David Hemmings is effectively ambiguous as the thief, Leigh. He keeps you guessing about his true feelings for Deborah (Samantha Eggar, before she moved to L. A. and sunk to television), the young curator at his targeted auction house.
She is beautiful but standoffish, after polio left her with a withered leg and claustrophobia from time spent in an iron lung. She only slowly accepts Leigh's persistent attentions, which certainly seem genuine. He even persuades her to try walking without her cane, which liberates her. She eventually comes to trust him and leaves her family home and moves into his rundown riverfront lodgings. (Incidentally, it's a pleasure to see London circa 1969, minus the Carnaby Street clichés, filmed in locations from ever-posh Hampstead to the then-gritty London Docklands.)
Hemmings' and Eggar's chemistry is convincing, especially in scenes with Emlyn Williams as the elegant old white-haired mastermind who ropes her into helping them break into the auction house. As he pressures Deborah, Leigh squirms on the sidelines, apparently wanting to spare her almost as much as he wants her help in the robbery. Almost.
What is not convincing, unfortunately, is that this demure and dignified young woman would ever agree to help. It is not in her character. Though she eventually fell in love with Leigh, she was deeply alarmed when he revealed the plan for the heist. She tried to dissuade him, but he was all-in and wanted her help, even though it meant she had to hide in a closet at the auction house for hours to give them safe access. No. She would have gone to the police before the crime. Her self-respect, not to mention the claustrophobia, make her involvement unthinkable, and the movie ultimately disappointing.
She is beautiful but standoffish, after polio left her with a withered leg and claustrophobia from time spent in an iron lung. She only slowly accepts Leigh's persistent attentions, which certainly seem genuine. He even persuades her to try walking without her cane, which liberates her. She eventually comes to trust him and leaves her family home and moves into his rundown riverfront lodgings. (Incidentally, it's a pleasure to see London circa 1969, minus the Carnaby Street clichés, filmed in locations from ever-posh Hampstead to the then-gritty London Docklands.)
Hemmings' and Eggar's chemistry is convincing, especially in scenes with Emlyn Williams as the elegant old white-haired mastermind who ropes her into helping them break into the auction house. As he pressures Deborah, Leigh squirms on the sidelines, apparently wanting to spare her almost as much as he wants her help in the robbery. Almost.
What is not convincing, unfortunately, is that this demure and dignified young woman would ever agree to help. It is not in her character. Though she eventually fell in love with Leigh, she was deeply alarmed when he revealed the plan for the heist. She tried to dissuade him, but he was all-in and wanted her help, even though it meant she had to hide in a closet at the auction house for hours to give them safe access. No. She would have gone to the police before the crime. Her self-respect, not to mention the claustrophobia, make her involvement unthinkable, and the movie ultimately disappointing.
Would love to see
Looking for this movie Please . I cannot find for rent or purchase anywhere, have tried library's ,Online Video stores, but no hope I would love to see this movie. I cannot believe , it must be out of print.
I recently saw the Movie - Blow up and loved it and bought it, David Hemming is truly an i-conic actor indeed and have read the story line on the walking stick, it sound interesting. If anyone has information on where I can locate the film Please let me know I thought for sure this database would have it for sale. I love classics like these ones and collect them all.
I recently saw the Movie - Blow up and loved it and bought it, David Hemming is truly an i-conic actor indeed and have read the story line on the walking stick, it sound interesting. If anyone has information on where I can locate the film Please let me know I thought for sure this database would have it for sale. I love classics like these ones and collect them all.
- roxannequiasua
- Dec 1, 2007
- Permalink
This movie has it all!
- siamese920
- Jul 1, 2024
- Permalink
Too drawn out
There may be some people who will object to the core premise of "The Walking Stick" by saying that they've seen the same basic premise in other movies before. I don't object to seeing the same premise again as long as the story is retold professionally and with a fresh light. Indeed, one strength the movie has is that the performances are very good - Eggar and Hemmings manage to make their characters believable. Unfortunately, the script and direction are another matter. The story takes way too much time to get from one major plot turn to another - a lot of fat could have been trimmed before shooting started. Also, the direction for the most part is a little too low key. I'm not asking for a great deal of flashiness, but a little more life should have been put into the movie. I am not saying this is an awful or bad movie, but it is kind of disappointing.
Lame