A MURDER OF QUALITY

UK, 1991, 110 minutes, Colour.
Denholm Elliot, Glenda Jackson, Joss Ackland, Billie Whitelaw, David Threlfall, Christian Bale.
Directed by Gavin Millar.

A Murder of Quality was written for the screen by John Le Carre (his only screenplay) from a novel of the early '60s. His character, George Smiley, was to become the centre of a series of novels and celebrated mini-series based on the novels, starring Alec Guinness.

Denholm Elliott is very good as the shabby but alert former agent, George Smiley. Glenda Jackson is his former colleague, Ailsa Brimley. Together they investigate a murder in a small town - somewhat in the manner of a combination of Miss Marple and Inspector Morse.

Joss Ackland, as a homosexual teacher, leads a strong cast. The murder is interesting in itself, as is the detective work. The title of the film gives an indication of themes as well, a critique of British class consciousness, British snobbery, and the presuppositions of the aristocracy in taking the law into their own hands and despising lower classes.

The film is what one would desire of a British murder mystery.

1.Interesting and entertaining drama, murder, mystery?

2.The work of John Le Carre, George Smiley's character and background, Le Carre writing the screenplay? The background of secret service investigations? As applied to local detection?

3.The British settings, the town, the school? The difference between the classes and this being brought out? Characters, locations? The strong cast? Musical score?

4.The opening, the focus on different facets of the school, the murder? The confusion, the introduction of characters and themes?

5.George Smiley, in retirement, Denholm Elliott's shabby but alert style? The visit of Ailsa Brimley? Her concern about the letter? The possibility of a murder? Her persuading him to investigate? The phone calls, ringing Terence Fielding, the discovery of the actual death? His arrival in the town, his letters of introduction? Inspector Rigby and his concern, co-operation? Their work together? His assistants? Smiley and his meeting the people in the town, concealing his identity and his contact with Inspector Rigby? The dinner hosted by Terence Fielding, their talking confidentially? The bond with Fielding's brother in the secret service? His interviews, getting clues? Encounters with Perkins? Listening to the pathologist's report? His interviews with Dr Rode and discoveries about himself, about Stella? His being welcomed, his being snubbed? Encountering mad Janey? Ailsa's coming, her discovery about the clothes? Their pursuit of the truth? The information about Fielding, inviting him to the meal, the confrontation? The satisfactory explanations, solution? Their reaction to the murder of quality, Fielding's snobbery - and his accusing them of being snobs themselves? The portrait of Smiley and of Ailsa?

6.Terence Fielding, his family background, his story? The comparisons with his brother? His homosexuality, its effect on his career? People blackmailing him? His work at the school, having no pension? His relationship with the boys, class, the poetry? His interest in Perkins? Concern about Perkins cheating? The hosting of dinners, the table talk? Snobbery? His encounters with Smiley, collaborating with the investigation? The flashbacks, his motivations, despising of Stella Rode, his shrewdness, the violence of the murder? His covering, his discovery of the truth about Perkins, murdering him? His show of grief about Perkins' death? His being unmasked, asking for mercy - his arrest?

7.Inspector Rigby, a man of the town, different class? His work, investigations, the pathologist, the clues? His tiredness? Collaboration with Smiley? The interviews? The death of Perkins? The pathologist's view? The pursuit of the truth, the arrest? A portrait of hardworking police?

8.Perkins, his crucial presence on the night of the death? His cheating? His place in the school, authority amongst the boys, relationship with Mr Fielding? His taking the exam, copying it? His upset, telling it to the violin teacher? His being murdered?

9.Dr Rode, discovering the body of his wife, the scenes of upset, in the church - and the help of the vicar? The writing letters for therapy? His bewilderment, interrogations? His place on the school staff? His being looked down on, flattered by Fielding, staying behind? The picture of his wife, her church connections, her bitterness, her blackmailing people emotionally? Her power over people? Her death - and her husband's reaction to her death, his assessment of her character after she died?

10.Mad Janey, the police suspicions, wandering the hills? The clothes? The interview with Smiley? The night of the murder, seeing it, getting the clothes, running away?

11.The portrait of the school staff - the Hechts, the marriage, work in the school, snobs, the wife and the direction of the play? Their aristocratic manner? Playing squash, being interrupted by Smiley, under suspicion? Felix D'Arcy, his manner in the classroom, his reputation, living with his sister? His going to the vet, the affair with the young girl? His wanting to conceal the letter, his attitude towards Stella Rode and her blackmail? At home, suspicious, a coward? The visit to the home, his sister denouncing him?
12.The background gallery of characters, the sympathetic violin teacher, the young girl having the affair with D'Arcy, the pathologist and his examination? The townspeople, the students at the school - classes, putting on the play? Adding to the authentic feeling, the sense of realism for the murder mystery and the investigation?