The Whisperers

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. Although the fictional setting of the film is not named, it was mainly shot on location in the Lancashire town of Oldham, a once-thriving textile centre near Manchester which by 1967 had fallen into decline. Star Edith Evans received many honors for her leading performance, including her third Oscar nomination.

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
Directed byBryan Forbes
Produced byMichael Laughlin
Jack Rix
Ronald Shedlo
Written byRobert Nicolson
Bryan Forbes
StarringEdith Evans
Music byJohn Barry
CinematographyGerry Turpin
Edited byAnthony Harvey
Distributed byLopert Pictures Corporation
Release date
24 August 1967
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$400,000[1]

Plot

Mrs. Margaret Ross, an impoverished, elderly, eccentric woman, is living in a ground floor flat, in an unnamed town in North 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 neighbors, then after almost dying, recovers in a hospital. It's 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 lonely status as an isolated person, who talks to the walls. This movie depicts these events as occurring during the year 1966, the year that British National Assistance was replaced by Supplementary Benefit.

Cast

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,[2] the National Board of Review award, the New York Film Critics Circle award, and the Golden Globe Award all for Best Actress.

Release

Announced by Kino Lorber Studio Classics on Facebook on 14 March 2019 that a new 2K scan would be coming soon.[3] This Blu-ray will be released on 14 January 2020.

References
  1. A.H. WEILER (31 July 1966). "Revolts Brewing in Britain". New York Times. p. 83.
  2. "Berlinale 1967: Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  3. "Kino Lorber Studio Classics". www.facebook.com.
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