The Triple Echo
| The Triple Echo | |
|---|---|
 Original poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Apted |
| Written by | H.E. Bates (original story) Robin Chapman (screenplay) |
| Produced by | Graham Cottle |
| Starring | Glenda Jackson Oliver Reed Brian Deacon Anthony May Gavin Richards |
| Cinematography | John Coquillon |
| Edited by | Barrie Vince |
| Music by | Marc Wilkinson |
| Distributed by | Hemdale Film Corporation Senta Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Triple Echo[1] (also known as Soldier in Skirts in US release) is a 1972 British drama film directed by Michael Apted starring Glenda Jackson, Brian Deacon and Oliver Reed, and based on a novella by H. E. Bates.[2]
Michel Apted was nominated a Golden Prize Award for the film at the 8th Moscow International Film Festival.[3]
Plot
In England during WWII, Alice, a woman running a farm in the countryside, discovers a man named Barton roaming the fields. He helps around the farm and the two become friends, then lovers. Barton decides to desert the army. Alice offers him refuge in exchange for help running the farm in the absence of her husband, who has been taken prisoner by the Japanese. Barton puts Alice's ailing dog out of its misery by shooting it with her husband's shotgun.[4] When army MPs begin to search for Barton he must take measures to avoid being caught, so Alice helps him form the disguise of a woman, Jill, her "sister." A Sergeant soon begins to take a liking to Jill. As Christmas approaches, the Sergeant returns to invite Alice and Jill to a Christmas party. Alice declines, but Barton, wanting to get out and have some fun, accepts the offer. Alice disapproves. During the party, the Sergeant and another soldier take Jill and a woman into a back room to engage in some sexual activity, but when Jill pushes the Sergeant away he discovers the secret. Barton escapes and the MPs follow, hunt him down near the farm house where Alice is waiting. Because Alice does not want Barton to suffer at the hands of the soldiers, she shoots him dead with her husband's shotgun.
Cast
- Glenda Jackson ... Alice
- Oliver Reed ... Sergeant
- Brian Deacon ... Barton
- Anthony May ... Subaltern
- Gavin Richards ... Stan
- Jenny Lee-Wright ... Christine
- Kenneth Colley ... Provo Corporal
- Daphne Heard ... Shopkeeper
- Zelah Clarke ... First Girl
- Colin Rix ... Compere
- Ioan Meredith ... Guard
References
- ^ "The Triple Echo 1972". YouTube. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ "Book Report: HE Bates The Triple Echo". scholieren.com. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ "8th Moscow International Film Festival (1973)". MIFF. Retrieved 2013-01-03.
- ^ Pauline Kael, Reeling, Marion Boyars Publishers 1976, ISBN 978-0714525822.