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Title: A haunting presentation of a haunting novella
Review: I first read Carson McCullers's hauntingly sad novella in 1984 and the story stuck with me for many years. Completely unaware that it had ever been filmed, I discovered this film by chance in a video store and was totally stunned by its veracity to the novella as well as the superb performances by Redgrave and Carradine. That such an essentially American (well, Southern, I suppose) story should have been filmed by a British director (and what a debut for the wonderful Simon Callow), and with a British leading lady, is odd. Yet it is compelling viewing, as the lives of these very sad and desperate people unfold before your eyes. The climactic boxing match is possibly one of the most painful things I have ever watched, from any point of view. You saw "Raging Bull"? Forget it! If you love the prose of McCullers you cannot but love this superb visualisation of one of her great works.
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