MovieChat Forums > Endless Night (1972) Discussion > Read the book before you watch it

Read the book before you watch it

posted 15 years ago by gbennie
2 replies | jump to latest

A lot of these reviews on IMDB say how it wasn't explained how the murderer did it, and thought it was quite confusing. They also couldn't believe that it was an Agatha Christie, from watching the film.
The film added a few parts, such as nudity for example, which would naturally make people think this.

Well, the book explains it more - it explains why he killed the victim, what happened to Miss Townsend, etc. Because it is from Mike's perspective, you understand more of his feelings towards both Ellie and Greta.

Also quite a lot of important dialogue is missing in the film. Apart from Ellie singing "Endless night" the film didn't really make clear why that song is relevant.

I think the film assumes that you already know what happens, what Mike is thinking etc.

[–] FinnurE 14 years ago

Actually, the fil does reveal how Mike killed Ellie. He informs the police after they come to the house that he had put some wasp poison in her capsules that would be untraceable after she was dead. I don't know why some people didn't get it.

By the way, what significance does the song have in the novel?

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=5184666

[–] hornacek 8 years ago

SPOILER

I read the book first and then the movie, and the movie definitely explains how and why Mike killed Ellie. It doesn't explain that Miss Townsend is dead and that Mike killed her, and that he was the one that paid her to frighten Ellie.

The film definitely assumes (like the book) that Mike is the protagonist and narrator so you are supposed to believe he is the good guy.