TERENCE YOUNG
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BB.5.
USA/West Germany, 1979. Bavaria Film, NF Geria III-Produktion München. Screenplay by Laird Koenig, based on the novel by Sidney Sheldon. Cinematography by Freddie Young. Produced by Sidney Beckerman, David V. Picker. Music by Ennio Morricone. Production Design by Ted Haworth. Costume Design by Enrico Sabbatini. Film Editing by Bud Molin.
A pharmaceutical tycoon is murdered on a ski trip, leaving his entire fortune and control of his company to his daughter (Audrey Hepburn). She takes on this great responsibility in the face of her grief, but when a few precarious experiences come her way she begins to realize that her father’s death was not an accident but foul play, the actions of a killer now intent on getting her as well. Enter detective Ben Gazzara who begins to link her dangerous situation with a recent string of prostitute murders. Based on a Sidney Sheldon novel, this film has all the tacky trappings of melodramas set among the jet-savvy, but it’s no Airport ’79. Hepburn’s classy performance and the host of celebrities in the cast, including Irene Papas, James Mason, Romy Schneider and Omar Sharif make it as much fun to watch as it is shallow and silly, plus the seventies-era fashions are terrific.
