Cinedelica: DVD Review: The Third Secret (1964)

Thirds
I'm not often surprised by a movie, but Charles Critchon's exceptional film The Third Secret (1964) really caught me off guard and impressed me with its compelling story and dramatic cinematography. In some ways it's a very old fashioned mystery and the film looks like it could have been made 10 or even 20 years earlier. Instead of being a distraction, I found the dated feel of the movie, as well as the somewhat stilted performances in it, perfectly suited to the film's style.

The Third Secret stars Irish actor Stephen Boyd and he gives an over-the-top tour de force performance as an American television commentator named Alex Stedman who's living and working in Britain. When Alex gets word that his psychiatrist has committed suicide he begins to unravel, but he puts his emotions on hold after the young daughter of the dead doctor begs him to help solve the mystery of her father's death. The girl doesn't believe that her father committed suicide and she's determined to find out who murdered him in order to honor his memory and claim her inheritance.

Together the two embark on a dark journey that will invade the private lives of the doctor's disturbed patients and finally unveil the terrible mystery of The Third Secret.

The film features many critically acclaimed British actors such as Sir Richard Attenborough and Jack Hawkins. Attenborough is especially memorable as a troubled art dealer and his secretary is played by a young Dame Judi Dench. Actress Diane Cilento is also wonderful as a tormented woman who Stephen Boyd carelessly uses in his quest to get at the truth of his doctor's untimely death.

The doctor's daughter is played beautifully by the British actress Pamela Franklin (The Innocents, And Soon the Darkness, etc.) and I think it's easily one of her best performances. Pamela Franklin has always been one of my favorite actresses and the talent she displayed at such a young age is really remarkable. In The Third Secret she's only 14, but she brings a lot of complexity and depth to her role as Catherine.

Robert L. Joseph's smart script is carefully constructed and Charles Crichton's direction is very effective. One of the most impressive things about The Third Secret is Douglas Slocombe's brilliant cinematography. The film has a wonderfully eerie feel thanks to his ability to evoke a sense of terror from menacing shadows and dynamic angles. Slocombe had previously shot films such as Dead of Night (1945), Circus of Horrors (1960), Taste of Fear (1961) and The Servant (1963) so it should come as no surprise that his skills and experience are used to full effect in The Third Secret. The movie also boasts a rather creepy and compelling score by composer Richard Arnell.

The Third Secret has recently been released on a NTSC Region-1 DVD in the US from 20th Century Fox. The film is presented in widescreen and the print looks amazing. It's very sharp and clean which helps highlight Douglas Slocombe's brilliant photography.

DVD extras include the original theatrical trailer, a stills gallery, and a second gallery featuring the film's original press book.

For more information about the DVD please see Amazon.