The Maids ** (1975, Glenda Jackson, Susannah York, Vivien Merchant, Mark Burns) – Classic Movie Review 9561

Glenda Jackson and Susannah York enjoy an unusual opportunity chewing up Jean Genet’s strange dialogue in director Christopher Miles’s powerful 1975 film version of his flamboyant play The Maids.

Black humour lightens up a dark and elusive yarn about two Parisian maids, Solange and Claire, giving way to their rage about their employer, Madame (Vivien Merchant).

Despite all director Miles’s attempts at stylised visual movie flourishes, it remains none too cinematic. But the performances shine through, and it is still another welcome quality acting showcase in a prestige production from The American Film Theatre.

It is a four-hander, with Mark Burns as Monsieur.

The Maids is directed by Christopher Miles, runs 95 minutes, is made by The Ely Landau Organization, Cinévision Ltée, Cine Films Inc., Mantis Films, The American Film Theatre, is released by The American Film Theatre (1975) (US) and Martin Films (1975) (UK), is written by Robert Enders and Christopher Miles, is shot in Technicolor by Douglas Slocombe, is produced by Ely Landau, Bernard Weitzman (executive producer) and Robert Enders, is scored by Laurie Johnson with production designs by Robert Jones.

It was shot at EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England.

Susannah York also made That Lucky Touch (1975) the same year with Christopher Miles.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9561

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