Review of Harlequin (1980) by Gary T — 18 Nov 2014

WOW......WOW......WOW.....BRILLLIANT.....GENIUS.....FANTASTIC.....AMAZING.....SUPERB......SO SO SO BRILLIANT.......man I have just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is such fantastic movie 2 watch......its got a good cast of actors/actresses throughout this movie......I think that Gus Mercurio, Broderick Crawford, David Hemmings, Carmen Duncan, Robert Powell, play good roles/parts throughout this movie......I think that the director of this drama/mystery/suspense/sci-fi/fantasy movie had done a great job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie.....

Development.

Simon Wincer and Everett De Roche had previously collaborated on Snapshot but were not happy with the film since it was made so hurriedly. They decided to make another film, came up with six ideas and eventually chose The Minister's Musician, a modern-day version of the Rasputin story. They did a treatment and Antony I. Ginnane became involved as producer.

Everett de Roche originally did a 400-page first draft in which the central character, Gregory Wolfe, was a priest. When the producers sent the script to the US, they were worried that this would make the film hard to market in Catholic countries so it was changed. The script was given to some American writers to work on but Wincer was not happy with the changes. As de Roche was not available, Wincer went over the script with Russell Hagg although he later said he would have preferred it if de Roche had done the job.

Casting.

The script was written with David Bowie in mind for the lead role and conversations were had with Bowie but the filmmakers got "cold feet" at the last minute and cast Robert Powell . The original choice for the role of the senator was Orson Welles but he wanted $80,000 a week for two weeks so Broderick Crawford was cast instead.

The film performed poorly at the Australian box office but was very successful overseas. Simon Wincer says it was particularly successful in South America, due in part to Robert Powell's popularity there.

In Australia, Harlequin was released on an All Region DVD by Umbrella Entertainment on Wednesday, 27 October 2004. It was presented in a remastered 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, and Special Features were an Audio Commentary by director Simon Wincer and producer Antony I. Ginnane, a theatrical trailer and a photo gallery.

In the US, Harlequin was released as Dark Forces by Image Ent. on 8 June 2004. It was presented in 2.35:1 Widescreen, with Behind The Scenes Photo Gallery, Filmographies, Isolated Music Score and an Audio Commentary by director Simon Wincer and producer Antony I. Ginnane. It is set for release on Blu-ray in the US by Scorpion Releasing on 29 October 2013 under its original title.

Man this is such a thrilling entertaining movie 2 watch......I think that this is such a really well written/acted/directed movie 2 watch......I think that this is such a brilliant movie 2 watch....man this is such a really creepy movie 2 watch, but it is such a fantastic movie 2 watch, its got a great cast throughout this movie.....man this is such a brilliant movie 2 watch, it is such a fantastic movie 2 watch it is so so so brilliant movie 2 watch with a great cast throughout this movie......WARNING THIS MOVIE CONTAINS STROBE LIGHTINING EFFECTS THROUGHOUT THIS MOVIE ......MAN THIS IS SUCH A BRILLIANT MOVIE 2 WATCH, WITH A GREAT CAST THROUGHOUT THIS MOVIE.......