Love and Deceit Swing on the Greens

Read Time:4 Minute, 13 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Banning
–

Genre: Drama, Romance
Year Released: 1967, 2024 Imprint Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director(s): Ron Winston
Writer(s): James Lee, Hamilton Maule
Cast: Robert Wagner, Anjanette Comer, Jill St. John, Guy Stockwell, James Farentino, Susan Clark
Where To Watch: available here: www.viavision.com.au

RAVING REVIEW: In 1967, a drama unfolds in the lush expanses of a high-end country club, where secrets and betrayals are around every corner. The film centers around Mike Banning (Robert Wagner,) a once-promising golfer whose career was in a downward spiral amid scandal. Under a new guise, Banning navigates the treacherous waters of the elite, discovering that every handshake hides a dagger. With a cast that brings these charged dynamics to life, the movie thrives on intense character interplays and occasionally dazzling performances punctuating its narrative.

Wagner's portrayal of Banning delivers a performance steeped in mystery and desperation. His interaction with the manipulative club owner Jonathan Linus (Guy Stockwell) and Jonathan's discontented wife Cynthia (Susan Clark) injects a dose of suspense. Yet, the film only nibbles at the edges of their complex relationships without delving into the meat of the drama, leaving a hunger for what could have been a more robust exploration of their twisted lives.

The sport of golf is not just a backdrop but a symbol of the characters' societal leverage. It represents the underlying power struggles and status battles that drive the narrative. Despite the high stakes of a climactic tournament, these elements are sometimes lost beneath layers of soap opera-esque subplots, diluting the potential impact of the story's more suspenseful aspects.

Quincy Jones' Oscar-nominated song "The Eyes of Love" lends unexpected grace to the film. It provides a melodic counterpoint to the heavier scenes and elevates the emotional landscape of the story. This musical hit offers a brief escape from a plot that can sometimes tread too familiar ground.

Visually, the movie needs to capture the opulent setting it promises. The portrayal of the country club feels underwhelming, failing to match the grandeur of its real-world counterparts. Furthermore, action sequences, particularly a dated car chase, struggle under the weight of aging special effects, which detract from the film's ability to immerse its audience fully. The narrative attempts to weave through themes of deception and moral decay but often veers off course into convoluted romantic entanglements that overshadow the more intriguing aspects of espionage and identity. Sharpening the focus on Banning’s cunning strategies and his clashes with Linus could have provided the narrative thrust to propel the film to more compelling heights.

Despite its shortcomings, the film is a worthwhile endeavor, mainly due to the engaging interactions among its main cast. Though not perfectly cast as the brooding antihero, Wagner captures moments of genuine charisma. His dynamic with the talented Jill St. John and Anjanette Comer suggests a missed opportunity for a tighter, more engaging plot.

Ultimately, while BANNING doesn’t achieve a deep thematic resonance, it provides a diverting look into the secretive lives of the rich and powerful, underscored by a memorable musical score. With more script polishing and character development, the film could have transcended its genre, offering a more profound commentary on the perils of wealth and identity in high society.

Special Features and Technical Specs:
1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a NEW 2K scan of an interpositive by Imprint Films
NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger and Steve Mitchell (2024)
NEW A Hole in One: Robert Wagner & Jill St. John remember ‘Banning’ (2024)
NEW Members Only: Scoring ‘Banning’ – interview with author/film music historian Jon Burlingame on Quincy Jones’ score (2024)
Isolated music track of the Quincy Jones score
Theatrical Trailer
Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Optional English HOH Subtitles
Limited Edition Slipcase

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[photo courtesy of VIA VISION, IMPRINT FILMS]

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