Movie buffs and DeNiro fans will recall "Guilty By Suspicion". A story of how the HUAC witch hunts of the 1950s ripped apart the lives of many of Hollywood's writing and directing talent. Newcomer Karl Francis's movie treads along similar lines, focusing in on blacklisted director Herbert Biberman's attempt to make "Salt of the Earth" with a cast of unknowns and a blacklisted crew. Without spoiling this movie for the unacquainted I will end this synopsis here......however.... This is a European film, partially backed by the Welsh Arts Council. With all the talent and longing for local film production in the UK, why would the Arts Council plough money into an old pair of panty-linen like this? An American story shot entirely in Spain with a cast mainly of unknown actors. Jeff Goldblum does well, as ever, as Biberman....but so what? Most of the dialogue is so thin and hackneyed you could smell the dampness. I would suggest that the BBC or the Arts Council of Great Britain in future put their money where they'll find an audience and possibly a return on their investment, which I am sorry to say will not be happening with this boring mis-directed edsel.
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