Sleuth (1972)


Laurence Olivier        Andrew Wyke
Michael Caine           Milo Tindle
Alec Cawthorne          Inspector Doppler
John Matthews           Detective Sergeant Tarrant
Eve Channing            Marguerite Wyke
Teddy Martin            Police Constable Higgs

Directed by:            Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Produced by:            Edgar J. Scherick, Morton Gottlieb, David Middlemas


Andrew Wyke, a best-selling author of detective fiction living in a grand 16th century mansion is 
visited by Milo Tindle, owner of a hair salon chain. Andrew reveals to his guest that he's aware of 
Milo's affair with his wife Marguerite. But intead of being angry he confesses that he's actually 
glad to be rid of his troublesome spouse. Then, in order to avoid paying heavy alimony, Andrew 
suggests that Milo disguise himself as a clown and steal his wife's expensive jewelry. That way 
Marguerite and Milo can obtain financial security while Andrew claims the loss on his insurance and 
everyone walks away rich. But Andrew has ulterior motives behind his plan and soon the two men are 
caught up in an elaborate game of comeuppance.

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Milo Tindle and Andrew Wyke have something in common, Andrew's wife. In an attempt to find a way out 
of this without costing Andrew a fortune in alimony, he suggests Milo pretend to rob his house and 
let him claim the insurance on the stolen jewelry. The problem is that they don't really like each 
other and each cannot avoid the zinger on the other. The plot has many shifts in which the advantage 
shifts between Milo and Andrew.

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In England, the Italian English hairdresser Milo Tindle is invited by the successful writer of 
detective stories Andrew Wyke to visit his isolated house. The lower class Milo is the lover of 
Andrew's wife, who is used to have a comfortable life, and he intends to marry her. Andrew proposes 
Milo to steal his jewelry simulating a burglary. Milo would make a fortune selling the jewels to an 
intermediary; and Andrew would be reimbursed by the insurance company and would not pay alimony. 
However, the whole situation was part of an evil game. When Milo vanishes, a detective visits Andrew 
to investigate what really happened that night, when deadly games are disclosed.