MovieChat Forums > The Silent Partner (1979) Discussion > Any fans? (possible spoiler)

Any fans? (possible spoiler)

posted 20 years ago by gunshotwound
36 replies | jump to latest

Anybody else out there a fan of this little gem? What did you think of the fishtank murder? When I saw the movie for the first time, this scene really freaked me out with Christopher Plummer's cold brutality, plus a most original murder. It has been a while since I saw the movie and I can't remember if he left the victim's head in the aquarium or did he roll it up in the rug with the rest of the body? I seem to remember he left the head as a warning to The Silent Partner.

[–] Jesper_the_Moose 20 years ago

One of my friends read the book, and he told me if was good. So now I'm really interested in watching the original version - the Danish movie. But this is looks pretty good too. Maybe I will buy it.

He's making a list, he's checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice.

[–] j-pudwill 20 years ago

Yeah, Gunshot, I'm a fan, alright. A big one.

It astounds me that this never got the credit/audience it deserved.

Plus it blows me away that it's not available in DVD. Cripes, if Santa Claus Vs. The Martians can make it to DVD, why not this?!!!!!!!!!!!

This has one of Gould's top performances (also check him out in Robert Altman's tremendously under-rated The Long Goodbye). And you'll never look at Christopher Plummer as the kindly Herr Von Trapp (Sound of Music) again – truly one of the most cold-blooded, sociopathic performances ever. (I'm always reminded of the Orson Welles quote: "The more human you make the monster, the more frightening he becomes.")

As for the head, I remember it being left in the tank – but it's been years since I've seen the movie, so I'm not positive either. And you betcha, this scene freaked me out too.

Best regards!

[–] porterpauciphobia 20 years ago

When I saw this at the show as the first leg of a double feature with
Mad Max 1, my buddy and I walked out midway through Mad Max.
This is one of my favourite films of all time.
It is established early in the film that Christopher Plummer is stone cold
evil when he strangles the young hooker in the sauna? for fun. He does indeed
leave the severed head of Gould's girlfriend in the fishtank (the body is left
on the floor). Gould is the one who has to dispose of the body (and head) in a
carpet. This could be John Candy's first movie -- he's a bank clerk in a
fairly minor, but amusing role. A great film that stays with you!
WHY CAN'T WE BUY THIS FILM ON DVD??????????????

[–] geoffj-2 20 years ago

This is one of my all time favourites. In Australia we can't even buy it on video tape, but I managed to get a copy from the US on eBay and luckily my VCR plays NTSC. It must have been available locally on VHS at one time because that is the only medium I have ever seen it on. I didn't see it as a movie in cinemas. I think I'll copy it to DVD.

[–] Oliver-50 20 years ago

A great little thriller; not very well known, but it is intense and Christopher Plummer makes for a great villian.

[–] xjuk 19 years ago

One of my favourite all-time movies, it is a positive crime that this has never been released on DVD. THe murder of the lovely Celine Lomez is a particularly disturbing but well-played piece of dramatic violence, and the fact that it is enacted by a stone-cold psychotic Christopher Plummer only adds to the impact. His portrayl ranks with Mitchum in 'Cape Fear' or Hopkins in 'Silence of the Lambs', it's a crying shame that this movie never got the attention or recognition it deserves

Also, on a separate note, this movie has changed my opinion of 'The Sound of Music' for ever

xj

[–] jimmy19029 19 years ago

I saw it on its first release in the U.S. in 1979 and it's one of my all time favorite films. It was re-released in 1980 since most critics and the distributor seemed to agree it was a classic film that deserved another chance.
Love the scene where Plummer walks out of the club after beating the hooker nearly to death. After the club owner warns him that he's gone "too far this time" and another person says they've called the police, Plummer puts on a slightly amused smile and says "Really". GOD, that just chills my blood everytime!

More classic lines:
Plummer: "One night you're going to come home and I'm going to be on the inside. And that's the night you'll wish you'd never been born"

Gould(turning the tables and calling Plummer from the phone booth as Plummer has done to him in the scene prior) Yeah....it's me. Go *beep* yourself".

[–] falloutboy73 19 years ago

You are absolutly right jimmy. Those were great lines , especially the phone booth part. That always made me laugh. I always liked when Plummer said "we're partners you and I, you know that right?" And "He gave me the banks money"

[–] rons0606 19 years ago

I first saw this on tv,and i remember the ad in the tv guide.it showed plummer's eyes looking through the mail slot quoting his line thats the day youd wish youed never been born.Its a Canadian gem alright!

[–] hoosierbabe 19 years ago

That mail slot shot of Plummer's eyes scared me unbelievably. I have never forgotten it.

[–] dumbassgreg 18 years ago

one of the last movies where elliott gould can proudly say he was in. shows he did have acting talent when he care to use it. christopher plummer is simply brillant. as scary a villian as you see in any movie. would love to see again cbc did run it a few times years ago. maybe again day we can hope

[–] dpopolow-2 18 years ago

Hey... If you're interested, It's playing this month on The Movie Channel which is a subsidiary of Showtime. I think it may even be on the InDemand or OnDemand channels as well. so keep a look out!

[–] Woodyanders 18 years ago

"The Silent Partner" is a terrific little thriller with superb performances by Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer. The fishtank murder sequence was genuinely shocking and disturbing. I'm so happy that this excellent gem has finally been released on DVD.

Don't expect much and you will never be disappointed.

[–] djsnafu23 18 years ago

Fantastic- ending could be a tiny bit better, but otherwise excelent, great direction, editing and acting, good script

[–] chopperman 18 years ago

a great example of a simple idea and great characters making a classic movie. plummer was nasty but gould's character was a bad guy also. nobody seems to have mentioned this.

[–] uvl 18 years ago

I'm not normally a fan of the genre, but there is a lot to like about this one. It seems a bit plodding in the middle, but others are certainly right about Gould's and Plummer's performances.