MovieChat Forums > Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958) Discussion > This Film Starts With A Spoiler

This Film Starts With A Spoiler

posted 16 years ago by darren-lawrence
7 replies | jump to latest

When I first saw this film I missed the first 5 minutes or so and watched from the moment Kimberley arrives at the villa for the first time. When Ward enters and claims to be her brother I was totally confused, and wondered if he really was her brother and it was she who was losing her mind. The twist at the end was terrific.
I recently bought the DVD and was horrified to see Richard Todd at the beginning dicussing the plan they were about to subject Kimberley to. From the outset, we the viewer are now aware that he's a police officer right from the beginning and this totally alters the whole flow of the film.
It would have been much better without this first scene. Anyone agree?

[–] monescu4 16 years ago

Actually, although we are aware at the start that the Richard Todd character is part of an attempt to psychologically deceive the Anne Baxter character, it is not apparent that he is a police officer. Indeed, it is made to appear that he is part of a malevolent and criminal conspiracy.

[–] gitan-leger 15 years ago

Don't get fooled by darren's opinion. Monescu's is perfectly right! So do not miss the first minutes of this wonderful thriller, certainly not a "B" movie..

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

"Wonderful thriller, certainly not a "B" movie".

Nothing wrong with "B movies". The "B" there´s got nothing to do with the film´s quality.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] azarr2 12 years ago

Interesting, I just saw this on TCM but I missed the first 5 minutes. What did I miss? Anyway, at first it seemed like a possibility to me that Richard Todd's character was really her brother, but his comments to the maid that he makes when they find her uncle make it clear that that isn't the case.

[–] Prismark10 12 years ago

When I first watched this, I also missed the beginning and it rather alters your perception of the film until the twist arrives.

Its that man again!!

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

Indeed, it is made to appear that he is part of a malevolent and criminal conspiracy.

True and therefore the film doesn't start with a spoiler. But that's also what makes it so disappointing. Police officers playing dress-up and conspiring to drive "alleged murderers" to the point of insanity to gain a confession. Laughable!🐭

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 8 years ago

Good thing it wasn't episode of CSI, then, huh, Dick head?

Waaah, Unrealistic! Waaah, this would never happen in "real life" - ugh! It's a movie, you puke! Go watch the news, or Discovery Channel