THE EBONY TOWER
UK, 1986, 80 minutes, Colour.
Laurence Olivier, Greta Scacchi, Roger Rees, Toya Wilcox.
Directed by Robert Knights.
The Ebony Tower is a short British telemovie from a story by John Fowles (Collector, French Lieutenant's Woman) written for the screen by John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey, Voyage Round My Father). It provides a tour de force performance by Laurence Olivier as an old rakish artist. Roger Rees (Nicholas Nickleby, Star 80) is very good as the rather prim art critic who visits the artist. Greta Scacchi is attractive as the artist who lives with the ageing rake. Toyah Wilcox is her friend who also lives in the mansion.
The action takes place over two days, the audience visiting the artist with the critic. There is an interaction of character as well as reflection on the nature of art, classic, abstract; sexual relationships, growing old, power games.
1. Impact of this British telemovie? British culture?
2. The work of John Fowles, his studies of character, ambiguities? The verbal skills of John Mortimer?
3. The title, its reference to art, where Henry Breasley put unacceptable art?
4. The audience visiting Breasley with David? Sharing David's perspective (and not sharing it)? The encounter, the artist and his art, David's background, the visit to his home and grounds, looking at his style, life, friends? The interaction and crises? Leaving? The effect of the experience of the visit?
5. Olivier's presence and performance as Henry Breasley? Breasley's reputation, our seeing his artwork, more classic style, against modern and abstract art? His theory that the man is the artist? His turning against England, the country, behaviour, primness? His language and his vivid style? Skill in argument, passion? Insulting visitors? His drinking? Attitudes towards sexuality, towards Mouse and Freak? His antagonisms? His enjoying talk, escorting David around, mocking him? The meals? In bed with Diane? The question of marriage? The picnic and his observation of the girls? Gentlemanly as well as antagonistic? An old man, yet a child? His needs? The final argument? Right or wrong? St George and the Dragon and the princess? St George as a twerp? Finally painting with Mouse?
6. David and his proper English manner, the style of a square, reserved? His art, critic, teaching? Henry's mocking of this? His relationship with his wife and his meeting her? His tension? Polite, use of `nice', `of course'? The tour of the house? His views? Reaction to Henry at dinner? At the picnic? With the girls? Going swimming? The puzzle? Discussion with each of the girls? Anne urging him on? The attraction to Diane, discussions of art, looking at her work, urging her to leave? His sexual advances and her refusal? The plan and the rendezvous? Her not coming? Anne propositioning him? Leaving, waiting, the phone call, Diane's refusal? Meeting Beth? His stance towards Henry? The effect of the visit on him?
7. Mouse and her skills, career? Hitch-hiking, friendship with Anne? Her skills, naivety? Writing to Henry, his urging her to come? Staying? Amusing him, compassion, sexual companionship? Uninhibited? Art and learning? Her relationship with Anne? With David? The interaction, the possibility of leaving, her principles, staying? The nickname of Mouse and Henry's explanation?
8. Anne and her nickname of Freak? Punk appearance? Reading, detached? Friendship with Diane and support? With Henry, mocking him? His permissions? Supporting Henry, supporting Anne? Uninhibited? Well-educated? Her propositioning David, urging him on at the end? The final phone call?
9. Themes of art and artistry? The man equals the artist or not? The value of classic or abstract? World views? Tolerance, passion? The art world, the retired artist, the critics, the teachers? Defensiveness, childishness? The nature of genius?
