The Silent Partner (1978)

Director:

Daryl Duke

Writers:

Anders Bodelsen (book)
Curtis Hanson (writer)

Release Date:

30 March 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

A masterpiece of cunning and suspense... In a web of mounting tension, a beautiful girl is trapped and torn between two lovers, climaxing in a scene more terrifying than a nightmare!

Plot:

This is an imaginative plot, yet one with which the viewer can readily identify. A bank teller (Elliot Gould) is held up at gun point in his bank...

Plot Keywords:

Toronto Ontario | Chess | Revenge | Bank Teller | Murder

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Elliott Gould	...	Miles Cullen
Christopher Plummer	...	Harry Reikle
Susannah York	...	Julie Carver
Céline Lomez	...	Elaine
Michael Kirby	...	Charles Packard
Sean Sullivan	...	Frank, Bank Guard
Ken Pogue	...	Detective Willard
John Candy	...	Simonsen
Gail Dahms	...	Louise
Michael Donaghue	...	Berg
Jack Duffy	...	Fogelman
Nancy Simmonds	...	Girl in Sauna
Nuala Fitzgerald	...	Safety Deposit Box Woman
Guy Sanvido	...	Locksmith
Charlotte Blunt	...	Mrs. Packard

Also Known As:

Argent de la banque, L' (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1995) | Norway:16 | Netherlands:16 (original rating) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1979) | Iceland:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Eaton Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Carolco Entertainment

Trivia:

The main location for this movie, shown in the opening shot, is the Toronto Eaton Centre. It was built shortly before the movie was shot.

Quotes:

Julie Carver: I don't understand you, Miles.
[long pause]
Julie Carver: And I'm not sure I want to.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Terror in the Aisles (1984)

Soundtrack:

C'mon Downtown

Outstanding thriller, one of the best Canadian films ever

Anders Bodelson's Danish novel "Think of a Number" has been transplanted to Toronto, intelligently updated by screenwriter Curtis Hanson, and directed by Daryl Duke in brilliant fashion. What makes this film so special, I think, is that you wind up rooting for Elliot Gould, a bank teller turned thief, to best Christopher Plummer, a sadistic bank robbery, even though Gould's character is basically amoral. This is that rare thriller that works on every level. The plotting feels free of contrivance, Gould and Plummer have never been better, chilly Toronto looks spectacular, and there's a wonderfully evocative, jazzy soundtrack by pianist Oscar Peterson.

Coming as it did out of Canada in 1978, this film, despite its high quality, was almost immediately forgotten, but it is surely deserving of rediscovery. Check it out. It's one of the very best thrillers you'll ever see.