The Mind Benders [Blu-ray]

Overview

A scientist's attempts to clear the name of a friend nearly destroy his life in this intelligent science fiction drama. Prof. Sharpley (Harold Goldblatt) is a research scientist from Oxford University working with the British government on experiments in sensory deprivation. One day, Sharpley suddenly and shockingly commits suicide by throwing himself under an oncomming train while holding a briefcase stuffed with cash. While investigating the death, the police present the theory that Sharpley was a double agent, perhaps allied with the Communists, and that the death was the final result of his shame over betraying Great Britain. However, Sharpley's friend and associate Dr. Henry Longman (Dirk Bogarde) strongly disagrees, and he speculates that Sharpley's death had something to do with his research. In hopes of clearing Sharpley's name with police investigator Maj. Hall (John Clements), Longman begins subjecting himself to sessions in a sensory deprivation tank in order to prove that use of the technique can make one unusually suceptable to brainwashing or hypnotic suggestion. Longman emerges from the chamber frightened and disoriented, and in Long's presence one of his associates is able to convince Longman that he no longer cares for his wife Oonagh (Mary Ure). The doctor returns home displaying a callous and distant attitude toward his pregnant wife, and his personality begins to display an increasing number of deeply troubling changes. James Kennaway adapted the screenplay from his own novel.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/15/2019
UPC:	0738329240103
Original Release:	1963
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[B&W, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:49:00
Sales rank:	40,013

Special Features

Audio commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson; Theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dirk Bogarde	Dr. Henry Longman
John Clements	Maj. Hall
Mary Ure	Oonagh Longman
Michael Bryant	Dr. Tate
Wendy Craig	Annabelle
Harold Goldblatt	Prof. Sharpey
Geoffrey Keen	Calder
Terry Palmer	Norman,Porter
Norman Bird	Aubrey
Roger Delgado	Dr. Jean Bonvoulois
Edward Fox	Stewart
Terence Alexander	Coach,Coach
Georgina Moon	Persephone
Teresa Van Hoorn	Penny
Timothy Beaton	Paul
Christopher Ellis	Peers
Elizabeth Counsell	Girl Student on Station
Anthony Singleton	Boy Student on Station
Pauline Winter	Mother
Philip Ray	Father
Rene Setan	1st Indian Student
Ashik Devello	2nd Indian Student
Robin Hawdon	Student in Oxford
Terence Edmond	1st Student at Party
Ian Dewar	Crowd Ringleader
Muir Mathieson	Conductor
Georges Auric	Composer

Technical Credits

James Kennaway

Basil Dearden	Director
Michael Relph	Producer
James Kennaway	Screenwriter