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The Whisperers

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1967 British film by Bryan Forbes This article is about the 1967 drama film. For the 2007 book about life in Stalinist Russia, see The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia. For The Walking Dead comics characters, see List of The Walking Dead (comics) characters § The Whisperers.

The Whisperers
Film Poster
Directed byBryan Forbes
Written byRobert Nicolson
Bryan Forbes
Based onThe Whisperers
by Robert Nicholson
Produced byMichael Laughlin
Jack Rix
Ronald Shedlo
StarringEdith Evans
Eric Portman
Nanette Newman
Ronald Fraser
Avis Bunnage
Gerald Sim
CinematographyGerry Turpin
Edited byAnthony Harvey
Music byJohn Barry
Color processBlack and white
Production
companies		Seven Pines
Lopert Pictures Corporation
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • 24 August 1967 (1967-08-24)
Running time106 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$400,000

The Whisperers is a 1967 British drama film directed by Bryan Forbes and starring Edith Evans. It is based on the 1961 novel by Robert Nicolson.

Plot

Mrs Margaret Ross, an impoverished, elderly, eccentric woman, is living in a ground floor flat, and hears voices of whom she asks "are you there" - the whisperers of the title, in an unnamed town in northern England. Aged 76, she is dependent on National Assistance from the British government. She is visited by her criminal son, who hides a package containing a large sum of money in her unused spare room. The son confesses to the police of his robbery, then is sent to jail. Meanwhile, Mrs Ross finds the money. Thinking the money is a windfall intended for her, Mrs Ross makes elaborate plans. She casually confides to a stranger, who befriends her in order to ply her with spirits, kidnap her, then rob her of the stolen money. Rendered drunk and abandoned to the elements by her captors, Mrs Ross contracts pneumonia. She is found by neighbours, then after almost dying, recovers in a hospital. It is the first time anyone has cared for her in years. Doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and social workers all focus on her case. An agent at the National Assistance bureau traces down her husband, Archie (who deserted her decades ago). Motivated by the agent, who threatens him with legal pressure, informing him of his legal responsibility to her, the husband is strongly encouraged to move back in with her, which he does. Soon, he becomes involved with gamblers, then steals their money at a chance opportunity, which forces him to flee, so he deserts her again. Having been on the verge of a return to functional living, Mrs Ross resumes her life living by herself. Her voices went away during the middle of the film, but when she returns she asks the whisperers again, if they are there. This movie depicts these events as occurring during the year 1966, the year that British National Assistance was replaced by Supplementary Benefit.

Cast

Production

Forbes was approached by two American producers, Ronald Shedlo and Michael Laughlin, to adapt the novel. He felt it could be a vehicle for Edith Evans. Forbes wrote the script in two weeks. He said it was the one film in his career where he had complete creative control.

Filming location

Although the fictional setting of the film is not named, it was mainly shot on location in the Lancashire town of Oldham, (now in Greater Manchester), a once-thriving textile centre near Manchester which, by 1967, had fallen into decline.

Release

Awards

Edith Evans was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and won the BAFTA Award, the Silver Bear for Best Actress award at the 17th Berlin International Film Festival, the National Board of Review award, the New York Film Critics Circle award, and the Golden Globe Award all for Best Actress.

Home media

Announced by Kino Lorber Studio Classics on Facebook on 14 March 2019 that a new 2K scan would be coming soon.

References

  1. A.H. WEILER (31 July 1966). "Revolts Brewing in Britain". The New York Times. p. 83.
  2. Fowler, Roy (9 August 1994). "Interview with Bryan Forbes". British Entertainment History Project. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  3. Forbes, Bryan (1977). Dame Edith Evans, Ned's girl. pp. 256–258. ISBN 9780316288750.
  4. Forbes, Bryan (1993). A Divided Life. p. 69. ISBN 9780749308841.
  5. "Berlinale 1967: Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  6. "Kino Lorber Studio Classics". Archived from the original on 26 February 2022 – via Facebook.

External links

Films directed by Bryan Forbes
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