FOUR SIDED TRIANGLE (1953)

As any good mathematician would surely know, if you multiply the square root of the hypotenuse, and then divide the result by a turnip, what you end up with is the following 81 minute movie made in 1953. It was Directed by the noted accountant: Terence Fisher; and Starred those equilateral actors: James Hayter, Barbara Payton, Stephen Murray, with John Van Eyssen.


Four Sided Triangle - Four Sided Book

THE STORY:

You've known me for most of my entire life, haven't you, Doctor Harvey (James Hayter)? You've looked after me ever since my parents tragically passed away. You've nurtured my thirst for knowledge whenever you could. And you've even seen me grow from a small boy into a fully fledged adult.

Recently, however, I've found myself at a most peculiar cross-road's in my life. A most peculiar cross-road's indeed. Whilst on the one hand I'm glad that me and my friend Robin (John Van Eyssen) have managed to build a machine to duplicate matter. On the other hand my heart's been broken because Robin has told me he's going to marry my childhood sweetheart, Lena (Barbara Payton).

So what do I do, Doctor? How can I appease myself in this my hour of need? Or then again, is that why what next transpires all becomes rather hypothetical when you say to me, 'Bill (Stephen Murray)! You're not think about duplicating Lena, are you?'. As a rabbit is plugged into a phone - a duplicate has a mind of her own - a friend becomes a very good mate - and at the end of the day, a sudden explosion sets everything straight.

THE REVIEW:

Now in my most humble opinion 'Four Sided Triangle' is one of those great black and white films that tells' a story about 'human nature' verses 'human advancement'. Well, just like many other movies of this ilk -- like 'The Fly' for instance -- in its own amiable way this science bent narrative conveys what a scientist would go through just to catch the woman of his dreams.

Now please don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to justify that every mad scientist should duplicate his intended spouse because he has the equipment at his disposal. What I'm saying instead is that at the very heart of this piece is an ethical dilemma that everyone should take notice of.

Come on. Let's face it. Should we duplicate life because we have the technology to do so? And if not, why not?  Would these duplicates somehow rebel against their makers as implied in this tale? Or would they rather just mingle in with the populous despite their own scientific-based origins?

Its food for thought, isn't it, dear reader? And that is what I loved about this flick the most. Because as much as I enjoyed its timely feel, as well as how each of the main principle characters were archetypical by nature, what I loved even more was the message that this movie ultimately conveyed.

Honestly, my friends. There were times throughout it's telling I found myself yelping at the screen and wondering what was going to happen next. 'Don't tell me she's going to say yes?' I once said. Accompanied by a number of heart-felt murmur's invoking sadness, suspense, and even warmth.

Yep. That's correct. I did say 'warmth'. You see, another great aspect about this adventure was how the doctor character really showed he cared about those people around him. And I'd say this was amplified to a greater extent when he broke the forth wall at the beginning of the film -- i.e. he spoke to the camera -- plus how 'the kids' were friends with each other since they were children, cause this gave them a communal back-story everyone can relate to.

Anyway. By now I'm sure you know how I felt about this film. It's a great film, with a great bunch of characters and a great story-line to follow. So without any further ado, here my friends, here are my usual filmic-facts. (1) 'Hammer Film Productions' first screened this £25 thousand pound movie in England on the 25th of May, 1953. (2) During its time this flick was also christened with the alternate title, 'The Monster and the Woman'. (3) The majority of this adventure was shot at 'Bray Studios', located in the English county of Berkshire, as well as in Lulworth Cove, situated in Dorset. (4) Even though this story was loosely based on a novel written by the noted science fiction author, William F. Temple, on occasion it does veer off from its original text where both character and plot are concerned. (5) One of the main taglines used to promote this picture, was, 'She lived two amazing lives under his spell!'. (6) This production was one of Hammer's earliest attempts at cashing in on the horror film market. Later on its said-same creative team would master this genre with their Frankenstein series of films. (6) As implied by my previous fact, Terence Fisher, who directed and wrote the screenplay for this project, is best known for his work at remaking and adapting many horror films for 'Hammer Film Productions'. (8) After this movie broke wind, James Hayter starred in the comedy, 'Always a Bride'; Barbara Payton starred in the drama, 'Run for the Hills'; and Stephen Murray starred in the thriller, 'The Strangers Hand'.

Overall I'd say 'Four Sided Triangle' was a very suspenseful and thought provoking film to sit down and watch. Not only because it was well acted and well directed, but because the message at the very heart of it is still very relevant today.

Matter duplication? Good or bad? Nuff said.

THE RATING: A