Hell Is Empty
Directed byJohn Ainsworth
Bernard Knowles
Screenplay byJohn Ainsworth
Based ona screenplay by Bernard Knowles
& George Fowler;
and the novel Hell Is Empty by J.F. Straker (1958)
Produced byMichael Eland
StarringAnthony Steel
Shirley Anne Field
James Robertson Justice
Jess Conrad
Martine Carol
CinematographySasa Hunka
Jan Stallich
Edited byJim Connock
Music byGeorges Garvarentz
Production
company
Dominion Films
Distributed byRank Film Distributors (UK)
Release date
December 1967
Running time
109 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

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.

Premise

On the run from the police, thieves stumble upon an abandoned mansion on a deserted island.[3]

Cast

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

  1. ^ "Hell Is Empty (1967)". Archived from the original on 27 October 2017.
  2. ^ HELL IS EMPTY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 37, Iss. 432, (Jan 1, 1970): 226.
  3. ^ "Hell Is Empty (1967) - John Ainsworth, Bernard Knowles - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. ^ Martine Has All Clothes in This Role Los Angeles Times 27 Dec 1965: d17.
  5. ^ Vagg, Stephen (23 September 2020). "The Emasculation of Anthony Steel: A Cold Streak Saga". Filmink.
  6. ^ DAVID WYNNE-MORGAN London Life; London (Jul 30, 1966): 10, 12.
  7. ^ MARTINE CAROL, FRENCH ACTRESS: Screen Star Who Appeared in Over 40 Films Dies New York Times 7 Feb 1967: 39.
  8. ^ HELL IS EMPTY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 37, Iss. 432, (Jan 1, 1970): 226.

Bibliography

External links


Films directed by Bernard Knowles
Categories