This strange story was one of its decade's most magnetic stage plays. In this long film version all the cracks show, even though the wallpapering of director Sidney Lumet is as expert as can be. Richard Burton has one of the most demanding parts of his later years as the psychiatrist who has to find out why a strange youth (Peter Firth) blinded six horses. Firth is excellent, easily besting a distinguished supporting cast, most of whom give actorly performances whose mechanics show all too near the surface. Hokum at heart, the story is exceptionally well done in places, especially in some of the scenes between psychiatrist and patient.

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