Cast
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Peter O'Toole
as Sir Robert Thorndyke
John Standing
as Major Quive-Smith
Alastair Sim
as The Earl
Harold Pinter
as Saul Abrahams
Michael Byrne
as Interrogator
Mark McManus
as Vaner
Ray Smith
as Fisherman
Hugh Manning
as Peale
Robert Lang
as Jessel
Cyd Hayman
as Rebecca
Ian East
as Muller
Maureen Lipman
as Freda
Ray Mort
as Gerald
Philip Jackson
as 1st Seaman
Nicholas Ball
as 2nd Seaman
Crew
Director
- Clive Donner
Writer
- Frederic Raphael
Producer
- Mark Shivas
Reviews
CinemaSerf
Based on Geoffrey Household's rather far-fetched book, Peter O'Toole is British aristocrat "Sir Robert" who lays plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler before the start of WWII. After missing an open goal his plan goes awry, and after some fairly brutal torture at the hands of his captor Michael Byrne, he manages to flee the scene of his own proposed demise and to make it back to Blighty where his solicitor and kindly uncle (Alastair Sim) recommends he keep his head down for fear his plot be publicised, and the country be dragged into war...! The Nazis have not, however, given up on their chase and his efforts to stay out of their sights quite literally drive him underground. It is all just a bit silly, to be honest, and the sort of stiff-upper-lip gentlemanly code of hunter and hunted borders a little too much on the sarcastic to be scary and not enough to be amusing - even though O'Toole does have some quite pithy put downs for his Aryan pursuers. It is just about worth watching for fans of the star, but the rest of it need not have been remade from the superior 1941 iteration.
Apr 1, 2023
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Rogue Male examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Clive Donner brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1976, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Rogue Male took approximately 25 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 103 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 161 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The costume department created over 166 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The musical score contains over 57 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1976, when this film was released:
- Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: September 22, 1976
- Runtime: 1h 43m