Diagnosis:Murder (1975)

[Keif]

Does anyone know the true running time of this film?The imdb claims that it's 95 minutes but the DVD I recently got from ZDD clocks in at 78 minutes.

[John Rossington]

Coincidentally, I have exactly the same question - I've bought the DVD from the same source as you. I also have the original pre-cert VHS somewhere (I think it is on the Ariel video label if I remember correctly) and both versions run about 78 minutes. But they are clearly badly cut because the film makes no sense - in the first scene with Christopher Lee, the detectives arrive at his house because he has reported his wife missing, then all of a sudden they are referring to evidence such as photographs of tyre tracks, the anonymous letter etc and it is obvious a big chunk has been cut. I abandoned watching both versions because it annoyed me so much! Does anyone out there know if the full version has been issued, ever - I can't imagine any reason why this film would have been cut.

[Steve Crook]

The BBFC site lists it at 95m 24s for its initial release. Search for it as just Diagnosis Murder



They don't list a run time for any video releases



Steve

[Keif]

I agree,John.After watching,I was left with the impression that,what could & should be a very watchable & enjoyable film had been ruined by pointless cuts.I note that the R1 DVD,available on Amazon,claims to run for 82 minutes.Perhaps one day we will get a full version on R2 DVD.

[Tigon Man]

This Sidney Hayers movie and also possibly Deadly Strangers were originally intended for television but released theatrically. Hence there is the full length cinema version and the truncated version for the small screen.

Annoyingly I also have the shorter version transferred to DVD from the Ariel video, It's still a very enjoyable story though, as are most of Sid Hayers movies.

[Arfur Teacake]

name='Keif']I agree,John.After watching,I was left with the impression that,what could & should be a very watchable & enjoyable film had been ruined by pointless cuts.I note that the R1 DVD,available on Amazon,claims to run for 82 minutes.Perhaps one day we will get a full version on R2 DVD.

didnt they just edit out all bits with Dick Van Dyke and his son in?

[Grant]

I have the R1 dvd from Trinity but that is the shorter version as well.

[Keif]

Am I right in thinking that Jane Merrow was dubbed in this film? If so,can anyone put a name to the voice?She sounds familiar but I can't come up with her name.