Tree of Hands
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Tree of Hands
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Giles Foster
| producer = Ann Scott
| writer = Gordon Williams
| based_on = The Tree of Hands by Ruth Rendell
| starring = Helen Shaver
Lauren Bacall
Malcolm Stoddard
Peter Firth
| music = Richard Hartley
| cinematography = Kenneth MacMillan
| editing = David Martin
| studio = Granada Film Productions
British Screen Productions
Greenpoint Films
| distributor = Cannon Film Distributors
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1989|3|7}}
| runtime = 89 minutes
|gross=£2,458 (UK)
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
}}
Tree of Hands (released in the US as Innocent Victim) is a 1989 British psychological
drama film directed by Giles Foster and starring Helen Shaver, Lauren Bacall, Malcolm Stoddard and Peter Firth. It is based on the 1984 novel The Tree of Hands by Ruth Rendell.
Plot
Benet Archdale (Helen Shaver), a London-based best-selling author who has just written a controversial novel, lives alone with her young son. Benet's mother, Marsha (Lauren Bacall), visiting from the United States, is a manic-depressive who has psychotic episodes. When Benet's young son dies, Marsha kidnaps a local child to serve as a substitute. Benet believes she should return the child but upon investigation she finds out that the child has been severely abused by his parents. After the child's disappearance, the parents are charged with the murder.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090129230402/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/423412 BFI.org]
Cast
- Helen Shaver ... Benet Archdale
- Lauren Bacall ... Marsha Archdale
- Malcolm Stoddard ... Ian Raeburn
- Peter Firth ... Terence
- Paul McGann ... Barry
- Kate Hardie ... Carol
- Tony Haygarth ... Kostas
- Phyllida Law ... Julia
- David Schofield ... Detective Inspector
- Amanda Dickinson ... Molly
- Fiona McAlpine ... Neighbour
- Julie Jupp ... Neighbour's Daughter
- Sean Blowers ... Detective
- Allan Mitchell ... Consultant
- Simon Prebble ... Newscaster
- Barnaby Brown ... Jason
- Charles Pountney ... James
References
External links
- {{IMDb title|0099846}}
Category:1980s psychological drama films
Category:Films shot at EMI-Elstree Studios
Category:Films based on British novels
Category:British psychological drama films
Category:Works by Ruth Rendell
Category:Films directed by Giles Foster
Category:1980s English-language films
Category:Films scored by Richard Hartley (composer)
Category:English-language drama films
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