Hell Is Empty
Hell is Empty is a 1967 British crime film.[1] It began filming in 1965 under the direction of Bernard Knowles. Filming was suspended and later resumed by John Ainsworth after Martine Carol's death.[2] It also starred Anthony Steel, Shirley Anne Field and James Robertson Justice.
| Hell Is Empty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John Ainsworth Bernard Knowles |
| Produced by | Michael Eland |
| Screenplay by | John Ainsworth |
| Based on | a screenplay by Bernard Knowles & George Fowler; and the novel Hell Is Empty by J.F. Straker (1958) |
| Starring | Anthony Steel Shirley Anne Field James Robertson Justice Jess Conrad Martine Carol |
| Music by | Georges Garvarentz |
| Cinematography | Sasa Hunka Jan Stallich |
| Edited by | Jim Connock |
Production company | Dominion Films |
| Distributed by | Rank Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date | December 1967 |
Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Premise
On the run from the police, thieves stumble upon an abandoned mansion on a deserted island.[3]
Cast
- Martine Carol as Martine Grant
- Anthony Steel as Major Morton
- James Robertson Justice as Angus McGee
- Shirley Anne Field as Shirley McGee
- Isa Miranda as Isa Grant
- Carl Möhner as Carl Schultz
- Robert Rietti as Robert Grant
- Jess Conrad as Jess Shepherd
- Anthony Dawson as Paul Grant
- Catherine Schell as Catherine Grant (as Catherine von Schell)
- Irene von Meyendorff as Helen McGee
- Patricia Viterbo as Patricia
- Anna Gaël as Anna
- Eugene Deckers as Counsel
- Sheila Burrell as Judge
Production
The film was made by a new company, Absorbing Films, which had been set up by Michael Eaton-Eland, a prominent London figure, who wanted to move into filmmaking. Filming started in December 1965 on the isle of Capri. It was Martine Carol's first movie in three years.[4] It was one of a number of films Steel made in Europe.[5]
The film was shot in Italy and Yugoslavia. However several of the actors and technicians claimed they had not been paid. Filming came to a halt. Carole married Eaton-Eland in June 1966, at which stage the film had not been completed.[6]
Carol died of a heart attack in February 1967.[7] Production resumed under another director.
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin criticised its "nonsensical story".[8]
References
- "Hell Is Empty (1967)".
- HELL IS EMPTY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 37, Iss. 432, (Jan 1, 1970): 226.
- "Hell Is Empty (1967) - John Ainsworth, Bernard Knowles - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- Martine Has All Clothes in This Role Los Angeles Times 27 Dec 1965: d17.
- Vagg, Stephen (September 23, 2020). "The Emasculation of Anthony Steel: A Cold Streak Saga". Filmink.
- DAVID WYNNE-MORGAN London Life; London (Jul 30, 1966): 10, 12.
- MARTINE CAROL, FRENCH ACTRESS: Screen Star Who Appeared in Over 40 Films Dies New York Times 7 Feb 1967: 39.
- HELL IS EMPTY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 37, Iss. 432, (Jan 1, 1970): 226.
Bibliography
- Chibnall, Steve & Murphy, Robert. British Crime Cinema. Routledge, 2005.
External links
- Hell Is Empty on IMDb
- Hell is Empty at Letterbox DVD
- Hell is Empty at BFI