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Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Alec Cawthorne, Margo Channing, John Mathews ... see more see more... , Teddy Martin , John Matthews , Eve Channing

The mystery stage play by Anthony Shaffer was adapted by the author into this stylish film from director Joseph L. Manciewicz. Laurence Olivier stars as Andrew Wyke, a best-selling author of detective... read more read more... fiction living in a grand 16th century mansion. Andrew is visited by Milo Tindle (Michael Caine), owner of a hair salon chain, and reveals to his guest that he's aware of Milo's affair with his wife Marguerite. Rather than being vengeful, however, Andrew professes he's glad to be rid of his troublesome spouse. To avoid paying heavy alimony, Andrew suggests that Milo disguise himself as a clown and steal his wife's expensive jewelry. That way Marguerite and Milo can obtain financial security while Andrew claims the loss on his insurance and all walk away rich. Andrew's plan is a devious one, however, designed to toy with his wife's lover, and a series of deceptions and counter-deceptions are launched in which nothing is as it seems, unfolding as an elaborate game of comeuppance between the two men. Ten years after Sleuth, Caine would assay a role not unlike Olivier's in the similarly-themed Deathtrap (1982). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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89% liked it

8,541 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

23 critics

PG, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Release Date: January 1, 1972

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DVD Release Date: January 27, 1998

Stats: 756 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (756)

  • ajv2688
    December 28, 2010
    ajv2688
    A great movie adapted from a great play, Caine and Olivier are excellent together, and it's just perfect. I highly recommend this movie.
  • gokhale1
    December 7, 2010
    gokhale1
    Having loved British screenwriter Anthony Shaffer's occult thriller "The Wicker Man"(1973), I decided to give this 1972 film of his, a shot.

    Based on Shaffer's play of the same name, "Sleuth" opens with Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) trying to find his way through a complex hedge... read more maze in order to reach the owner of the property on which it lies, a huge manor house of Andrew Wyke (Laurence Olivier), a middle-aged-and-getting-older detective novel writer who has invited him over. This is an initial indication of Wyke's twisted behaviour. He is the kind of man whose hobby, apart from his profession of writing, seemingly includes indulging in elaborate games and riddles, preferably with unsuspecting strangers who aren't aware of his ways.

    As it turns out, Tindle is a struggling salon owner who is having an affair with Wyke's wife Marguerite. Aware of the affair, Wyke warns Tindle of Marguerite's expensive ways and points out that it may be difficult to keep her happy forever with what Tindle makes. Himself having an affair with another woman, Wyke is eager to get Marguerite off his hands. Being involved in detective fiction, Wyke hatches an ingenious scheme with Tindle that would make them both happy. He convinces Tindle to steal a lot of expensive jewelery from his house, sell it and make money to live a comfortable life with Marguerite, while Wyke would claim the the insurance money of the jewels, and carry on with his own affair with his girlfriend comfortably! Instantly enticed by the offer which seems picture perfect on paper, Tindle agrees and puts the plan into action...but are things really that simple as they are made out to be? Or does Wyke have his own ulterior motives behind his devious game of insurance fraud?



    Since the film is based on a play, 99% of the film is set indoors in Wyke's plush mansion which looks eerie in the night, especially with all the creepy-looking talking puppet dolls scattered around the house! One wonders how Wyke manages to stay alone in that huge house, isolated from any sign of human life! The closed set gives the film a much needed claustrophobic atmosphere. The film relies heavily on the verbose dialog between the two lead actors and of course, their performances, what with them occupying most of the screen space! In spite of having a single set and two primary characters, Shaffer and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz successfully create a riveting, neatly structured old school mystery, albeit not without some minor flaws. Some situations do look forced and tad unconvincing, one must admit!

    But the flaws are overshadowed, by a taut script with delightfully intelligent twists and by the mesmerizing performances from the two British acting giants, Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. They sure know their responsibility of carrying this entire film on their able shoulders and manage it with so much ease, they make acting look simple! Both the actors were nominated for Academy Awards for 'Best Actor' category and it's no surprise!

    "Sleuth" references the typical 'sleuth' akin to classic detective-crime fiction from the Agatha Christie era. Just as there is a highly intelligent detective who is usually much smarter than even the entire police force in these stories, Wyke keeps obsessing about his own detective character St. John Lord Merridew and how he would solve a particular crime and confound the officials! Do watch this film if you are a lover of good old fashioned mysteries. Though not perfect, it is certainly worth your time and money.
  • aSpaceCowboy
    April 17, 2009
    aSpaceCowboy
    This psychological thriller deserves more appreciation. It has a brilliant script, beautiful scenery, and two exciting performances by two very talented actors. There?s not a bore or dull moment in plain view which gives Sleuth a near perfected work of art.



    A young hai... read morerdresser named Milo Tindle is invited to a greeting with his lover?s husband, Andrew Wyke. It?s all just fun and games with the ol? prow. A simple conversation over the woman that ties them together ? Marguerite ? soon turns into a rather funny sort of action, but is taken too far when a gun is fired and a man disappears. But it?s only now, that the game truly begins.



    It?s difficult to say how much I admire the plot without unveiling any hidden aspects? but I?ll try. A game is all it is, really. Just a game; A ravage struggle between two men which is taken too seriously. The way it precedes is so non- expecting. There?s nothing predictable about it. Just when you think you?ve got everything figured, a new surprise comes a-knockin?. All the twists and turns will make your head spin. You really have no idea what?s going to happen next, but you desperately want to find out. Simply put, it?s a funhouse ith no escape. You become a part of the game.



    BOOM! That was the sound of Michael Caine blowing your mind He plays a shady, devious, little twitter whom reinvents the game?s rules. He?s cunning, stealthy, crude, crass, sly. Almost villain-like. He captures the essence of a real maniac. Not in the sort of ?serial killer? manner, but more like that of a trickster.



    Laurence Olivier was the master of the show! He brought so much energy and life to his character. In his funhouse of toys and games he actually seemed like a kid. The innocence, sent, smile, joy and freedom felt natural and convincing. He wasn?t like a kid, he was a kid.



    All of enchantment and majestic of these two flawless performances made Sleuth a mastering piece of art. All it had was two actors ? TWOACTORS! It worked out more than expected? Let the games begins.
  • Screeny
    November 6, 2008
    Screeny
    After a friend told me to see "Sleuth" [1972]. i had to see it! Its a good thing i did because this may be one of the greatest films i've ever seen!

    In England, the Italian English hairdresser Milo Tindle is invited by the successful writer of detective stories Andrew Wyke to ... read morevisit his isolated house. The lower class Milo is the lover of Andrew's wife, who is used to have a comfortable life, and he intends to marry her. Andrew proposes Milo to steal his jewelry simulating a burglary. Milo would make a fortune selling the jewels to an intermediary; and Andrew would be reimbursed by the insurance company and would not pay alimony. However, the whole situation was part of an evil game. When Milo vanishes, a detective visits Andrew to investigate what really happened that night, when deadly games are disclosed.

    Now if you think that thats a dumb plot then you have no movie taste at all.

    The acting was simply amazing and the movie is filled with twists and turns. I loved watching the cat and mouse game between the two characters which is why i really enjoyed this film.

    This is an atomatic 5 stars and it hit my top 10 definatly!
  • ceWEBrity
    May 3, 2008
    ceWEBrity
    Sleuth is brilliantly written, brilliantly acted and brilliantly crafted. It is a stage adaptation of the highest form. The material gets a little samey, which even the movie itself seems to acknowledge toward the end. It's compulsively watchable entertainment, though - dialogue ... read moreand expression that hasn't aged a drop since 1972.

    Perhaps it also suffers a little from being overly theatrical, but Olivier and Caine could act the hell out of a character. They are two totally unforgettable presences. And hell, it WAS a play...the adaptation is more generous than some, such as the insufferable House of Yes, but adheres enough to its source that it doesn't lose any of its original essence. If the movie has its faults, it is because of its nature, but you can't really begrudge it much.
  • webalina
    February 11, 2008
    webalina
    A hoot of a film with a completely oddball ending. Rich eccentric Lawrence Olivier invites Michael Caine over for visit to discuss Larry's wife, who Caine is seeing on the side. Larry likes games, and suggests one with Caine. Lots of twists and turns, and just when you think you ... read morehave it figured out, they throw another curve ball at you. Watching two great actors like Caine and Olivier play off each other (which is reportedly what they did in that the script was barebones and they were told to elaborate), is always a treat, and they don't disappoint. But wtf was that ending all about? Instead of making me go "AHA!", I was left more with a feeling of "Huh?"
  • kenstachnik
    November 15, 2007
    kenstachnik
    This movie is incredible. 2 Guys, 1 House and a hell of a wild ride.

    The acting here is beyond top notch.
  • pier007
    November 6, 2007
    pier007
    Joseph L. Mankiewicz's swan song united two gigantic legends in a deadly battle of wit, persuasion and humiliation. a masterful thriller with richness in dialogue, theatricality, and twists, all submerged in the purest, most malicious and delightful black humour.
  • harrycaul
    September 21, 2007
    harrycaul
    A hugely entertaining adaptation of Anthony Shaffer's witty play. I'm hoping that the remake isn't awful but I'm not really bothered as I'll always have this to return to.
  • garyX
    January 9, 2007
    garyX
    A highly thought of whodunnit by everyone, it seems, except me. I thought it was all a bit too melodramatic and silly, but Olivier and Caine are always worth watching.

View All Sleuth Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks
April 20, 2010
Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine

This is a fastidious, acrobatically cunning and invigoratingly well-acted thriller. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Provides Laurence Olivier and especially Michael Caine with two of their best roles. Full Review

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Thoroughly entertaining. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

What really makes the movie come alive--what makes it work better than the play, really--are the lead performances by Lord Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, and Alec Cawthorne. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

With the exception of a brief showing by British thespian Alec Cawthorne, the only actors on screen are Olivier and Caine. Both are so good that there's not a moment when we wish for someone else to i... Full Review

April 20, 2010
Film4

A hugely enjoyable thriller, adapted by Anthony Shaffer from his own phenomenally successful stage play, about two men involved in an intellectual but deadly game of cat and mouse. Full Review

April 20, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

This stylish, intelligent mystery is full of delightfully unexpected twists, and boasts extraordinary performances from Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 3, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Despite flaws (it's overlong and too theatrical, betraying its stage origins), this stylishly made cat-and-mouse thriller with strong social class overtones boasts great performances from Olivier and ... Full Review

Dan Lybarger
April 30, 2005
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

A stagebound but effective two-character thriller. It might work better on stage, but you're not like to find better leads.

Jake Euker
March 11, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

Intriguing to begin, but ultimately tiring; its place is on the stage.

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Sleuth Trivia

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