Hammersmith Is Out (1972)
Directed by Peter Ustinov
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Black Comedy, Satire |
Release Date - May 12, 1972 (USA - Unknown), May 12, 1972 (USA) |
Run Time - 108 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - R
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Loosely based on the Faust legend, Hammersmith is Out stars Richard Burton as the title character, a mental patient confined to the sanitarium owned by a loony doctor (Peter Ustinov, who also directed). Befriending a lackadaisical orderly named Billy Breedlove (Beau Bridges), the satanic Hammersmith offers Billy untold wealth and power if he'll help him escape. Once on the outside, Hammersmith keeps his promises to Billy, with the help of slovenly hash-slinger Jimmie Jean Jackson (Elizabeth Taylor). When time comes to pay the piper, however, Hammersmith and Jimmie Jean conspire to leave Billy hanging out to dry.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
mental-institution, asylum [mental hospital], bargain, captive, captor, con/scam, escape, friendship, mental-illness, pact, patient [medical], upward-mobility, waiter
