UK, 1971
87m
35mm film, Eastmancolor
mono, English
A British science fiction film directed by Ralph Thomas. The film was released in London at the New Victoria cinema on 9 September 1971 before going on general release ten days later on 19 September.
Plot Summary
Scientist Colin Trafford is cast into an alternate universe when a demonstration of his latest invention goes horribly wrong. In this reality, World War II never happened, and history is subsequently slightly skewed. Trafford finds that he’s not a scientist here, but a writer married to the beautiful Tracy. An accident throws him back to his own reality, but he’s so obsessed with Tracy that he sets out to find her counterpart in his own world.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Director: Ralph Thomas
© Rank Film Distributors Ltd MCMLXXI [1971]
The Rank Organisation presents a Peter Rogers production
Executive Producer: Peter Rogers
Produced by: Peter Eton
Production Manager: Donald Toms
Screenplay by: Terence Feely
From the short story “Random Quest” by John Wyndham
Assistant Director: Bert Batt
Continuity: Josephine Knowles
Director of Photography: Ernest Steward
Camera Operator: James Bawden
Editor: Roy Watts
Music: Eric Rogers
Otilie Theme by: Peter Rogers
Sound Recordists: Paul Lemare, Ken Barker
Boom Operator: Tony Cripps *
Sound Camera Operator: Peter Desbois *
Dubbing Editor: Peter Elliott
Costume Designer: Emma Porteus
Make-Up: George Blackler
Hairdresser: Barbara Ritchie
Titles: G.S.E. Ltd
Art Director: Robert Jones
Assistant Art Director: Tony Reading
Set Decorator: Christopher Cook
Made at: Pinewood Studios, London, England
Cast
Joan Collins (Ottilie/Tracy Fletcher)
Tom Bell (Colin Trafford)
Denholm Elliott (Tom Lewis)
Laurence Naismith (Sir Henry Larnstein)
Trudi Van Doorn (Sylvia)
Geraldine Moffat (Stella)
David Weston (Johnny Prescott)
Dudley Foster (Grimshaw)
Juliet Harmer (Geraldine Lambert)
Ray McAnally (Jack Kahn)
Lyn Ashley (Jennifer)
Neil McCallum (Jimmy)
Angus MacKay (Dr Rankin)
Bernard Horsfall (Telford)
Edward Cast (Jenkins)
Sam Kydd (taxi driver)
Philip Stone (Mason)
John Hallam (Jonathan Keene)
Drewe Henley (1st man)
Alex Scott (3rd man)
Simon Ward (Jeremy)
Jeremy Child (Dougie Raynes)
Peter Porteous (2nd man)
Peter Davies (Michael)
Johnny Briggs [club barman] *
Alternative Titles
Auf der Suche nach Liebe – Germany
Um Caso de Amor – Portugal
Il caso Trafford – Italy
På jakt efter kärleken – Sweden
Kronzeugin des Todes – Germany
Rakkautta kohti – Finland
Links
See also
Random Quest (2006)
Press
1971
Today’s Cinema no.9938 (10 September 1971) p.14
Perhaps as a result of expansion to feature film length, John Wyndham’s short story emerges on the screen in a form that suggests H.G. Wells is alive and well and has re-written Berkeley Square. Not that is likely to spoil the enjoyment of the average cinemagoer – on the contrary – but addicts of contemporary sci-fi can be expected to pick holes in a framework patched with expediency rather than logic. However, as a lush romance with difference (and an attractive theme composed by Peter Rogers) it has a persuasive charm few will be able to resist. […] As a happy ending love story with an unusual twist to the boy meets girl, boy loses girl, formula, this should please both the romantically inclined and addicts of not-too-scientific science fiction. from a review by Marjorie Bilbow
References
Periodicals
- Castle of Frankenstein no.24 p.53
- Kine Weekly no.3334 (4 September 1971) p.8 – review
- Legend no.34 (2001) pp.15-20 – article
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.38 no.453 (October 1971) p.202 – credits, synopsis, review
- Today’s Cinema no.9847 (13 October 1970) p.8 – credits
- Today’s Cinema no.9938 (10 September 1971) p.14 – credits, review (by Marjorie Bilbow)
- Today’s Cinema no.9937 (7 September 1971) p.11 – note (Trade shows)
- Today’s Cinema no.9940 (17 September 1971) p.15 – note (General releases)
- Variety 29 September 1971 p.18 – credits, review
Books
- Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction by Phil Hardy (ed) p.302
- Elliot’s Guide to Films on Video pp.633-4 – credits, review
- Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis p.319-320
- Island of Terror: A Book of 60 Great* British SF and Fantasy Movies from 1936-1984 *And not so Great by Keith Topping pp.439-446
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.388 – credits
- Video Source Book (13th Edition) p.2104 – credits
