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Product Description
Sydney Pollack’s feature-film debut deals with a woman, played by Anne Bancroft (The Graduate), who takes an overdose of prescription pills and calls a crisis clinic for help. Sidney Poitier (In the Heat of the Night), plays a college volunteer who tries to keep the suicidal woman on the line while asking the police to trace the call. Stirling Silliphant (The Towering Inferno) wrote the screenplay based upon an actual incident reported in Time Magazine. The Slender Thread boasts a strong supporting cast featuring Telly Savalas, Steven Hill, Ed Asner and Dabney Coleman, with a rousing score by Quincy Jones (The Getaway) and great black-and-white cinematography by Loyal Griggs (Shane).
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Pajamazon
Format:VHS Tape
A good storyline and relationship between suicidal caller Bancroft and student volunteer Poitier. Views like a timeline of a crisis call. Crisis hotline worker has no idea how to help this woman, who due to a situation which unfolds in flashback, is compelled to kill herself with downers. The reason behind this is interesting but not explored enough. I could have done without the behind-the-scenes interludes at the police station, the phone company, etc. And there is one freaky dance sequence which is totally out of step with the drama going on, but is crazily reflective of the times. "Wait! Let's watusi right here in the middle of this couple's meltdown!"
Bancroft and Poitier give solid performances, but I felt the pairing of some far-out 60s cliches with the story of a couple's troubled marriage was awkward. It wanted to appeal to too many demographics at once.
Still, a snapshot of mid-60s filmmaking with the delectable Bancroft (before she became Mrs. Robinson) is always well worth seeing.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
A SLENDER THREAD is a super movie to watch alone. Not a lot of action - just intense drama. Have watched it many times.911 operators would like this movie. It shows a crisis line in action.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bancroft & Poitier at their best - a Classic!
Jun 14 2005
By Sharon Kille Jenkins
- Published on Amazon.com
Was fortunate enough to come across The Slender Thread on a cable movie channel several years ago. This film is Anne Brancroft & Sidney Poitier are at their best - extrodinary performances! Poitier plays a Seattle college student volunteering at a crisis center. One night when he's at the clinic alone, a woman (Bancroft) calls needing to talk saying she's taken pills. While Poitier tries to get help for her, he keeps her ton the line while he learns about her life, family, and why she wants to die. With a brillant script by legendary writer Stirling Silliphant, direction by Sydney Pollack, and original music by Quincy Jones; The Slender Thread engrosses the viewer from the start. We're drawn into the building suspense, caring about the people, concerned for the outcome. This dramatic character study is enhanced all the more by being in black & white. Plus, it features a fine supporting cast including Telly Savalas, Ed Asner, and Dabney Coleman. The Slender Thread is a great example of perfect film making. Why hasn't Paramount Pictures released this classic on DVD? Please, letterbox & release ASAP so it can be re-discovered by movie connoisseurs everywhere! A must own for Poitier/Bancroft fans.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT MOVIE
July 5 1999
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:VHS Tape
A SLENDER THREAD is a super movie to watch alone. Not a lot of action - just intense drama. Have watched it many times.911 operators would like this movie. It shows a crisis line in action.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Late b/w film that hits the bullseye....
Oct 19 2012
By Dr. Morbius
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Black and white was rare for a big budget film in 1965....sometimes done for effect (Psycho, The Hustler) or just a lack of funds (I believe color film at that time added about 25% to the budget).... This is a pretty good film either way.... Definitely talky, but it never seemed to get boring....pure drama....flashbacks fill in the blanks.... Poitier is fantastic as usual....very interesting all around....just watching them try to trace a phone call draws you in to the story....good stuff....different to be sure....
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
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