Home | Movies By Year | Movies from 1968
House of Cards (1968 film)
Buy House of Cards (1968 film) now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the movie. And once you've experienced the movie, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
'House of Cards' is a 1968 American neo-noir crime film directed by John Guillermin and starring George Peppard, Inger Stevens, and Orson Welles. Filmed in France and Italy, it marked the third time that Peppard and Guillermin worked together (they had previously collaborated on the 1966 film 'The Blue Max') then 'PJ'.
The film was first released in the United Kingdom in November 1968, but was not released in the United States until the following September.HOUSE OF CARDS
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 35, Iss. 408, (Jan 1, 1968): 201.
Plot
Reno Davis is an American writer who has recently retired from boxing. Now unemployed and broke in France, he encounters the wealthy widow of a French general. Anne de Villemont is attracted to Reno, and he to her, but she keeps him at arm's length. She also hires him to tutor her eight-year-old son Paul. The real reason she wants Reno is for protection.
Reno is led to believe that Anne's husband was killed in the Algerian conflict, and he is troubled by Anne's intense fear that Paul will be kidnapped. He then discovers the family has ties to a fascist organization that plans to take over all of Europe. He takes on the shady psychiatrist Morillon and mysterious family friend Leschenhaut, both of whom frighten Anne whenever they are around.
Reno is framed for his best friend's murder as he and Anne become the targets of the ambitious and maniacal schemers who wish to rule Europe. Reno and Anne are hunted around France while protecting Paul from being abducted. The chase ends at the Colosseum in Rome, where Reno and the villains engage in a showdown.
Cast
Production
The film was based on a novel by Stanley Ellin. In May 1966, before the novel had been published, Universal announced that it would produce a film adaptation.Darrid Named by M.C.A. To Head Literary Division New York Times 5 May 1966: 55.Virna Lisi Gets 'Hour' Role Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 9 May 1966: c21. By October 1966, the film had Dick Berg as producer and Irving and Harriet Ravetch as writers.MOVIE CALL SHEET: 7 Films on Continental Slate Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 13 Oct 1966: C17. The novel was issued in 1967. The 'Los Angeles Times' called it "superb."Three Novels That Welcome a Rainy Day
Kirsch, Robert. Los Angeles Times 19 Feb 1967: p30
George Peppard was cast in July 1967.In the 'Cards' for Peppard
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 21 July 1967: d12. Eva Renzi's casting was announced in August.James Fox to Play Churchill
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 9 Aug 1967: e12. That same month, John Guillermin signed on to direct what would be his third film with Peppard.Film Contract for Reynolds
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 7 Aug 1967: d28.
Shooting
Filming started in August 1967 in Paris. Shortly into filming, Renzi withdrew for personal reasons and was replaced by Inger Stevens.Saxon to Star in 'Singles' Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 30 Aug 1967: d15. In September, the unit moved to Rome.'Isadora' Shooting Under WayLos Angeles Times 7 Sep 1967: d20.A First-Hand Report on a Rome Movie Set's Bare Facts Kanin, Fay. Los Angeles Times 3 Dec 1967: d1.
During filming, Peppard joked that the film should be called 'The Running Jumping and Never Standing Still Film'.Movies: Harbinger of Neo-Hitchcockian Melodrama
LaBADIE, DON. Los Angeles Times 29 Oct 1967: d12.
Reception
The 'Los Angeles Times' called 'House of Cards' "a mildly diverting so-so adventure movie that could have been so much better."'House of Cards' in Citywide Engagement Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 19 Mar 1969: g19.
Home media
This film has never been released in North America on VHS or DVD, though it has been released on DVD in France (Bach Films, 2007),[https://www.amazon.fr/cri-dans-lombre-George-Peppard/dp/B000WTYROE/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1523137320&sr=1-1&keywords=un+cri+dans+l%27ombre Amazon.fr] Germany (Mondo Entertainment, 2009)[https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Cards-English-without-subtitles/dp/B001L23L2U Amazon.uk] and Italy (Sinister Film, 2013).[https://www.amazon.it/Castello-Carte-Dvd-George-Peppard/dp/B00B76YK6Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1523137528&sr=1-1&keywords=house+of+cards+orson+welles Amazon.it]
See also
*List of American films of 1969
References
Buy House of Cards (1968 film) now from Amazon
<-- Return to movies from 1968