Picture Show – Nov 7th 1959

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FILM REVIEWS

Three Faces of Dirk – in another compelling court drama

LIBEL ★ ★ ★ ★

(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Director: Anthony Asquith British. Certificate ” A ” Running time-lOO minutes

Based on the play by Edward Wooll

Sir Mark Loddon……Dirk Bogarde
Frank Welney………Dirk Bogarde
Number Fifteen…….Dirk Bogarde
Lady Loddon ………Olivia de Havilland
Jeffrey Buckenham….Paul Massie
Sir Wilfred……….Robert Morley
Foxley……………Wilfrid Hyde-White
Gerald Loddon……..Anthony Dawson
The Judge…………Richard Wattis
Himself…………..Richard Dimbleby
Dr. Schrott……….Martin Miller
Maisie……………Millicent Martin
Associate…………Toke Townley

There are three Dirks in this gripping story- and each is as good as the other. He plays the proud, quick-tempered baronet who brings a libel action against a newspaper and his former friend: the actor who envies him: and – years after the war – a crippled wreck in whose distorted, mask-like face only his eyes are horrifyingly alive.

When Sir Mark Loddon decides to sue the newspaper which has printed Jeffrey Buckenham’s letter accusing him of being an impostor, he does it at his wife’s instigation. In the court room their wartime friendship in a prison camp and their distaste for Frank Welney, a small-time actor who closely resembles Mark- so much so that on occasion he is mistaken for him- is brought out.

As the trial proceeds, the uncertainty of Sir Mark about his real identity grows. Is he Sir Mark Loddon or is be Frank Welney pretending to be Sir Mark Loddon? His lack of memory does not help him to decide – until Number Fifteen shuffles into court. This is a decrepit cripple, his face an unrecognizable mass of scar tissue, who was picked up more dead than alive, during the time of the escape. Unable to speak, be has never been identified or claimed and has since then been in a German hospital.

There is recognition in the eyes of Number Fifteen and Sir Mark Loddon when they meet – one of them is Frank Welney. Which one? Dirk Bogarde gives a sensitive performance In this strong drama as Sir Mark, who dislikes the Press and who will not talk about his war experiences or his subsequent loss of memory, as well as the other two characters he plays. Olivia de Havilland as his wife is good and Paul Massie, whom you may remember in Orders to Kill and Sapphire, shows that he is becoming a first-rate actor. The supporting cast is well chosen. Direction is skilful and understanding and lighting: and settings beyond reproach.