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Unman, Wittering and Zigo (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Unman, Wittering and Zigo' is a 1971 British thriller film directed by John Mackenzie and starring David Hemmings, Douglas Wilmer and Carolyn Seymour. It is adapted by Simon Raven from Giles Cooper's 1958 radio drama 'Unman, Wittering and Zigo'.UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 38, Iss. 444, (Jan 1, 1971): 206.
The movie's title was parodied in 'Little Britain', and by Rowan Atkinson in a very well-received sketch for one of the early 'Secret Policeman's Ball' concerts for Amnesty International.
Plot
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
*David Hemmings as John Ebony
*Douglas Wilmer as Headmaster
*Carolyn Seymour as Silvia Ebony
*Hamilton Dyce as Mr. Winstanley
*Anthony Haygarth as Cary Farthingale
*Barbara Lott as Mrs. Winstanley
*Donald Gee as Stretton
*David Jackson as Clackworth
*Hubert Rees as Blisterine
*David Auker as Aggeridge
*Tom Morris as Ankerton
*Richard Gill as Borby
*Michael Kitchen as Bungabine
*Nicholas Hoye as Cloistermouth
*Tom Owen as Cuthbun
*Toby Simpson as Hogg
*James Wardroper as Lipstrob
*Clive Gray as Muffett
*Rodney Paulden as Munn Major
*Keith Janess as Orris
*Christopher Moran as Root
*Michael Cashman as Terhew
*Paul Aston as Trimble
*Michael Howe as Unman
*Colin Barrie as Wittering
The closing credits also list Zigo (who never appears in the film) as "absent".
Production
The radio play was adapted for BBC TV in 1965.
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.Mediarts Tells Plans for 4 Films
Los Angeles Times 20 Aug 1970: e15. Paramount agreed to distribute.Paramount to Release 10 Features Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1971: h15.
David Hemmings made the film without telling Hemdale, the company who had exclusive call on his services. This led to a lawsuit.Management split at Hemdale Lindsay, Vincent. The Guardian 8 Aug 1970: 10.
Filming
Filming began in August 1970.Victoria Racimo Gets a Top 'Red Sky' Role Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 10 Aug 1970: e15.The film was set in Cornwall. Some outdoor scenes were filmed at St David's College Llandudno, Wales, and nearby St. Tudno's churchyard, Great Orme, 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.
Critical reception
The BFI's 'Screenonline' called it "a finely wrought psychological suspense drama."
'Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide' rates the film three stars, calling it, "[A] nifty little sleeper...creepy, chilling mystery, loaded with twists..."
References
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