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Unman, Wittering and Zigo (film)

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Unman, Wittering and Zigo
Original theatrical poster
Directed byJohn Mackenzie
Written bySimon Raven
Based onplay by Giles Cooper
Produced byGareth Wigan
StarringDavid Hemmings
Douglas Wilmer
Carolyn Seymour
Hamilton Dyce
CinematographyGeoffrey Unsworth
Edited byFergus McDonell
Music byMichael J. Lewis
Production
company
Mediaarts
Distributed byParamount
Release date
1971
Running time
100 mins
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Unman, Wittering and Zigo is a 1971 British thriller film directed by John Mackenzie and starring David Hemmings, Douglas Wilmer and Carolyn Seymour.[1] It is adapted by Simon Raven from Giles Cooper's 1958 radio drama Unman, Wittering and Zigo.[2]

The movie's title was parodied in Little Britain,[citation needed] and by Rowan Atkinson in a very well-received sketch for one of the early Secret Policeman's Ball concerts for Amnesty International.[citation needed] [3]

Premise

A new teacher arrives at a school and begins to suspect his predecessor was murdered by the pupils, though his suspicions are written off as paranoia. He sets out to prevent the same fate from befalling him.

Cast

Production

The radio play was adapted for BBC TV in 1965.[5]

Film rights were bought by Mediarts, a new company established in London and Hollywood. It was to be the first of four pictures from the company, the others being the directorial debut of Frederic Raphael, a screenplay by Dory Previn and a script by Odie Hawkins.[6] Paramount agreed to distribute.[7]

Filming began in August 1970.[8]

The film was set in Cornwall. Some outdoor scenes were filmed in Llandudno, Wales, but others and interior scenes were mostly filmed in the buildings of Reading Blue Coat School, Sonning, Berkshire, using some of its pupils as extras during the summer holidays.[9]

David Hemmings made the film without telling Hemdale, the company who had exclusive call on his services. This led to a lawsuit.[10]

Critical reception

The BFI's Screenonline called it "a finely wrought psychological suspense drama."[11]

Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide rates the film three stars, calling it, "[A] nifty little sleeper...creepy, chilling mystery, loaded with twists..."[12]

References

  1. ^ "Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1972)". BFI.
  2. ^ UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 38, Iss. 444, (Jan 1, 1971): 206.
  3. ^ Horan, Tom (29 January 2010). "Dicks, Cox and Purves: how I feel your pain" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ "Theatre 625: Unman, Wittering, and Zigo". 27 June 1965. p. 19 – via BBC Genome.
  6. ^ Mediarts Tells Plans for 4 Films Los Angeles Times 20 Aug 1970: e15.
  7. ^ Paramount to Release 10 Features Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1971: h15.
  8. ^ Victoria Racimo Gets a Top 'Red Sky' Role Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 10 Aug 1970: e15.
  9. ^ "Reel Streets". www.reelstreets.com. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  10. ^ Management split at Hemdale Lindsay, Vincent. The Guardian 8 Aug 1970: 10.
  11. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Mackenzie, John (1932-2011) Biography". www.screenonline.org.uk.
  12. ^ Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide. p. 1476. unman, wittering & zigo 1971.


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