Michael Winner (1935–2013)

Kinky, totally unnecessary prequel to The Turn of the Screw (or in its film version, The Innocents) gives us a chance to see Marlon Brando attempting an Irish accent while periodically sexually assaulting willing Governess Stephanie Beacham, all under the watchful eyes of the two children she is in charge of. The children are pretty compelling in their evil, although the pretty Ms. Harvey is WAY too old for her character. Neither of them had a long career. In any case, the film is pretty show more sick but compelling enough to keep you watching. show less

A hitman takes on an apprentice.

2.5/4 (Okay).

There are some good bits, such as the action sequence near the end. The plot, despite some clever, original ideas, unravels as the movie goes, eventually being apparently abandoned in favor of the above mentioned action sequence. It might have been saved with some good acting, or actors who cared more about communicating anything to the audience than they do about looking Cool And Macho.

Amazed this hasn't been reviewed on here. Might not be a literary masterpiece but Winner can certainly write, is delightfully indiscreet and has a remarkable memory.

I suspect some literary licence is applied here and there but this gallops along at quite a pace - endless stories from the making of each of his films, his childhood and beyond. Funny stories, revealing people who were less than pleasant in some cases, and giving away the foibles of the rich and famous - many of who he still show more counted as friends, so I guess they never minded. Nor did their faults bother him.

Stories about friends such as Burt Lancaster, Marlon Brando, Charles Bronson and countless others. He was immensely grateful for his life, which he clearly enjoyed to the full. Given the age he lived to, he must have had an iron constitution, given he ate and drank well, and smoked many cigars a day for 40 years before a heart bypass slowed him down a bit.

Excellent book. Some stories may well have been exaggerated and may not even be true - but enough ring true to still make it an enjoyable read with much to amuse and a few laugh out loud moments. show less

I enjoyed this book because he talked about people familiar to me.