Hi guys!
Still catching up here!! I must say I really enjoyed the movie "Chill Factor / A Cold Night's Death" 1973 (even if it's just for this photo - yes, yes - the famous "Culpsicle" portrait
) - thanks Stefan for sending on that review site.
This really is a unique little gem of a film, with some rather striking turn of events. I agree that both Culp and Eli Wallach were excellent in this one, and raised the quality of the film immensely. Left in the hands of lesser actors, this one could have been prime "Mystery Science Theater 2000" fodder. The eerie and bleak atmosphere and the odd and strange circumstances of events led to the constantly building levels of suspense and tension that added much to the film.
I have always loved Eli Wallach's work, and
needless to say, Mr. Culp's. "Two main character" performances always have a special force about them. Michael Caine and Sir Laurence Olivier in "Sleuth" and James Caan and Kathy Bates in "Misery" come to mind - as well as the current Broadway production of "Nixon and Frost" with Frank Langella, which I hear is a stunner. There is a special give and take when two excellent actors meet head to head.
As the "Twitch.com" review said .... "Essentially a two-man show, Death elicits excellent performances from its leads. The dialog can err on the side of ham, but Culp and Wallach make it work more often than not. That the characters are philosophical opposites is rote but earnestly woven, and is used to nicely subvert expectations in the end. Death’s narrative turns on a precise axis, and its maneuverings stand up quite nicely even after repeat viewings."
All that being said, "A Cold's Night Death" even throws some chimpanzees into their mix (with not quite the same acting abilities as Messrs. Culp and Wallach, but not bad
). What I found so interesting about the film is that the first time I saw it, it was a "dubbed in French" version - and I do not speak French. AND that made not one iota of difference. I was able to follow the storyline completely, which is again a compliment to the two fine leads (and the monkeys, too)! Wallach's and Culp's interaction on the screen came through beautifully, whether I understood a word of dialog or not. Seeing it later in English, only added to a bit more to the story.
This odd and unique "made for TV" movie gets a definite thumbs up.
For another review of the movie, check out ...
http://www.pimpadelicwonderland.com/teevee.html
As always,
Tatia
....
