The Third Secret (1964)

Really Surprised!

Captivating movie !

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Blistering performances.

Does that sound redundant? It's not, you know. Think of all the 'mysteries' that show the murderer in the first few scenes ("The Big Clock", "Sleuth", etc.). "The Third Secret", on the other hand, waits until almost the last scene to reveal the murderer, which makes it a much more satisfying mystery.But what sets "The Third Secret" apart is an exceptionally well-written script with some of the most intelligent dialogue to come down the pike in years. What a refreshing departure from the current fare, loaded with f-bombs and other obscenities. This picture is written for grown-ups by a grown-up. Couple this with flawless performances from all concerned, and you have a picture worth at least a seven in our rating system.I can go no higher because this movie is a bit long-winded, with protracted scenes of very capable actors engaged in aforementioned dialogue to the point of tedium. You will, however, enjoy the overall premise - that the death of a well-known psychiatrist was a murder and not a suicide. Very cleverly handled with a twist ending. "The Third Secret" is well worth your time. It's just that it seems to last longer than it actually does.

Charles Crichron had already succeeded in the difficult task of having an adult and a child perform together :"the hunting" was one of the most moving British movies of the fifties as well as Dirk Bogarde's first important role .The Stephen -Messala-Boyd/Pamela Franklin pairing may seem strange first but this girl was really a wiz kid for she had already proved it in such works as Clayton's "the innocents" and "our mother's house" .Some kind of Jodie Foster of the sixties,she didn't make the career she deserved.A shrink has been murdered and his patients are all suspects;Boyd portrays one of them,investigating the others 'life and meeting his daughter (Franklin) ,a disturbed girl who writes strange lines on a wall and who seems to know things better left unsaid.Many scenes take place by the sea on a lugubrious beach children forgot a long time ago.Intriguing.

This is an excellent movie featuring actor Stephen Boyd who once again exhibited his ability to perform well with a mediocre script. The movie has a great story line and good suspense. This is one of Boyd's best performances. The actor made about 50 movies.The cast was superb and it tells the story of a psychiatrist and the few patients he had before he is murdered at the beginning of the movie. The patients are all successful and relatively normal people that on the surface seem to fit into society, but definitely have neurotic tendencies with self-esteem issues at best.Boyd's character is that of a cynical American news reporter stationed in England where he mocks his own country-men on TV and his character is brilliant.

One of the slowest, most plodding, and dreary movies that I have ever seen. No action at all unless you consider frequent lapses into hysterics by various characters as action. Skip this one folks. It's horrible and the ultimate conclusion is so obvious as this dull story inches along as to be painful to watch.