Watch Man on a Swing

Man on a Swing is a 1974 mystery drama film starring Cliff Robertson, Joel Grey, and Dorothy Tristan. The movie revolves around the investigation of a murder in a small town, where a psychic investigator is brought in to help the police solve the case. The film is set in a quiet town where nothing much happens. One day, the sheriff's office receives a call from a woman who has found a dead body in the woods. The victim is a young woman, and the locals are shocked by the brutal murder.

The detective, Lee Tucker (Cliff Robertson), leads the investigation, but after weeks of probing, the case seems to be going nowhere. It is then that he hears of a psychic investigator, Franklin Wills (Joel Grey) who claims to have solved similar cases. Lee is initially skeptical but agrees to meet Franklin, hoping that he might have some new insight into the case.

Franklin arrives in town, and at first, Lee is dismissive of his claims. But as he listens to Franklin’s theories, he becomes intrigued. Franklin claims to have visions of the murderer, and as he describes them, it becomes clear that he has seen something that could be crucial to the case. Franklin also believes that the killer could be someone close to the victim.

As the investigation progresses, Franklin becomes more and more involved in the case. He uses his psychic abilities to try to uncover clues that the police have missed, and he takes part in hypnosis sessions to try to get to the truth. The townspeople are skeptical of Franklin's abilities, and some are even hostile towards him. However, he persists in his efforts to uncover the truth and help the police, despite the danger he puts himself in.

Meanwhile, Lee is dealing with his own personal problems. His marriage is falling apart, and he is struggling with alcoholism. The stress of the case only adds to these problems, and at times it seems like things might unravel completely for him.

The performances of the lead actors, Robertson, Grey, and Tristan, are all excellent. Robertson plays Tucker as a man on the edge, struggling to keep his life and his job together. Grey's performance as Franklin is understated, but effective, and he brings a sense of otherworldly calm to the role. Tristan is excellent as the victim's sister, who is traumatized by the murder and determined to find out what happened.

Director Frank Perry does an excellent job of creating a sense of tension and suspense throughout the movie. There are some genuinely chilling sequences, particularly those involving Franklin's psychic visions. The film has a slow, deliberate pace, but it never feels slow or boring. Instead, it builds to a satisfying conclusion that is both surprising and emotionally resonant.

Overall, Man on a Swing is a well-crafted mystery movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The performances are excellent, and the direction is skillful. The film is a reminder of what can be achieved in cinema without relying on special effects, big budgets, or over-the-top action sequences. It's a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Man on a Swing is a 1974 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.