Les Invitations dangereuses

Six people are gathered on a yacht,invited by James Coburn whose wife was killed .Six people did something nasty a few years back.If it does not remind you of something which took place on an isolated island in the forties ,you are not a whodunit fan.Anthony Perkins's screenplay was heavily influenced by Christie's" And then there were none" aka "ten little Indians " (and " death on the Nile" as well)and its coded messages (see the photograph) display an Ellery Queen side too.You should watch this, but on a tape or on DVD ,because there are so many details that you may lose the vital lead long before the end ,particularly in the second half where very short flashbacks -this might be the movie with the most numerous flashbacks I 've ever seen- focus on small details which have eluded us and nevertheless have a strong connection to the plot.So it's often necessary to stop the movie and go back.

Best scenes occur in the monastery (a refuge for gays of the ancient times,we are told):"It looks like a Hammer film setting" says one of these professionals wandering in the torch-lit corridors.

The second part is almost filmed stage production,in spite of the ceaseless flashbacks:investigations "at home" ,very long explanations,confessions,and demonstrations à la Hercule Poirot..

The plot is full of holes but it's a pleasure for whodunit's fans.Herbert Ross would continue in the detective story with another entertaining movie "the 7% solution" ,which featured Sherlock Holmes in the flesh.