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Secrets (1971 film)

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Secrets
Directed byPhilip Saville
Written byRosemary Davies
Based onstory by Philip Saville
Produced byJohn Hanson
StarringJacqueline Bisset
Per Oscarsson
Robert Powell
CinematographyHarry Hart
Nicholas D. Knowland
Edited byTony Woollard
Music byMichael Gibbs
Production
company
Satori Films
Distributed bySatori Films
Release date
  • December 1971 (1971-12)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Secrets is a 1971 British drama film directed by Philip Saville, and starring Jacqueline Bisset, Per Oscarsson, Shirley Knight and Robert Powell.[1]

Synopsis

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Over the course of a single day a couple's strained marriage is revealed and then cured by their flirtations with strangers.

Cast

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Production

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The film was made on location around London including in Hyde Park. The film's sets were designed by the art director Brian Eatwell. The film was shot in Super 16mm which the producer claim was 80% cheaper than if it had been shot on 35 mm.[2][3]

As stated in a 5 May 1978 HR brief, Jacqueline Bisset was displeased by Lone Star's exploitation of her nude love scene. HR noted that Secrets was initially purchased by Lone Star to be converted into a pornographic short film, and Penthouse, Playboy and Hustler were reportedly bidding up to $60,000 to acquire still photographs from the picture. A 13 Mar 1978 Box advertisement for the R-rated film offered distributors a $10,000 challenge to disprove Bisset's contention that she did not appear in the disputed nude love scenes, using the controversy to sell the picture to exhibitors.[4]

Release

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Sight and Sound said it "would hardly pass an hour on television."[5]

The New Statesman called it "a silliness."[6]

The Monthly Film Bulletin said "technical experiment is the film's only novelty."[7]

US Release

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The film was released in the United States in 1978 with publicity highlighting the fact it featured a nude scene from Bisset.[8] The Los Angeles Times called it "among Bisset's best films."[9]

References

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  1. ^ "SECRETS". Monthly Film Bulletin. Vol. 39, no. 456. London. 1 January 1972. p. 14.
  2. ^ DEREK MALCOLM (9 December 1971). "Raising the ghost of the Bogie men: NEW FILMS REVIEWED". The Guardian. London. p. 10.
  3. ^ Philip Saville, television director - obituary Telegraph.co.uk; London [London]17 Feb 2017.
  4. ^ "Secrets (1978)". afi.com. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  5. ^ Film Guide Sight and Sound; London Vol. 41, Iss. 1, (Winter 1971): 60.
  6. ^ Secrets New Statesman; London Vol. 82, (Jul 1, 1971): 869.
  7. ^ SECRETS Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 39, Iss. 456, (Jan 1, 1972): 14.
  8. ^ Scott, Jay (23 October 1978). "Jacqueline Bisset's body only attribute of Secrets". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. 15.
  9. ^ Thomas, Kevin. (23 October 1978). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Secrets' Reveals Trio of Romances". Los Angeles Times. p. e8.
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