Fesseln der Seele (1963)

Fesseln der Seele: Directed by Basil Dearden. With Dirk Bogarde, Mary Ure, John Clements, Michael Bryant. Dedicated British scientist Dr. Henry Laidlaw Longman (Sir Dirk Bogarde) tests the possibility of brainwashing. If the experiment succeeds, he will stop loving his wife Oonagh (Mary Ure).

“Dirk Bogarde can be described as a great actor who was never in a classic film. Popular films, like the Doctor series, certainly; good films like The Tale of Two Cities; excellent films like The Servant; fascinating, discussed films like Death in Venice and The Night Porter. But classic films like Casablanca – maybe Darling comes closest, and thatu0026#39;s not even his movie.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;The Mind Bendersu0026quot; is another Bogarde film on the bizarre side. When an elderly scientist is suspected of treason, an investigator endeavors to find out whether his experiments in isolation made him do something – betray his government – that he ordinarily wouldnu0026#39;t have done. One of his coworkers (Bogarde) agrees to go into the isolation tank; when he emerges, he is told things about his wife that, if he believes them, will threaten his seemingly happy marriage.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film holds oneu0026#39;s interest; with his science fiction bent, it has the distinctive u0026#39;60s stamp on it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMary Ure plays Bogardeu0026#39;s wife. The acting is good, with the usual fine performance from Bogarde, a man who, once he got away from Rank, was attracted to unusual roles and unusual films. This isnu0026#39;t as wild as it gets for Bogarde. Itu0026#39;s not great, but itu0026#39;s not bad either.”