Watch The Last of Sheila

The Last of Sheila is a gripping murder mystery film from 1973 that has remained a timeless classic since its release. Directed by Herbert Ross, the movie features a star-studded cast including Richard Benjamin, James Coburn, James Mason, Dyan Cannon, Joan Hackett, and Raquel Welch. The movie centers around Sheila's death, a high-society gossip columnist in Hollywood, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident. A year after her death, her husband and a group of wealthy friends reunite on a yacht named Sheikra, in the French Riviera, for a scavenger hunt devised by James Coburn's character, Clinton aka "Coburn, the Great."

The scavenger hunt is a game that involves each person revealing a secret about themselves, with the ultimate goal of revealing the identity of Sheila's killer. As the hunt proceeds, tensions rise, revealing the complicated, interconnected relationships between the group of wealthy friends. Secrets are uncovered, and new alliances are formed, each member of the group trying to uncover the truth about Sheila's death.

The characters in the movie are well-crafted, complex, and layered. Richard Benjamin plays Tom, Sheila's husband, who has a questionable past and is rumored to have been involved in her murder. James Coburn is the eccentric game designer Clinton, who may have ulterior motives in organizing the scavenger hunt on the anniversary of Sheila's death. James Mason plays Philip, a washed-up movie producer who has a history with Sheila, and Dyan Cannon is Lee, a fading Hollywood actress with a lot to hide.

Raquel Welch plays Alice, a young and beautiful starlet with a questionable reputation, and Joan Hackett is Christine, a shy and subdued wife of one of the men in the group, who comes into her own as the hunt progresses.

The tensions between the characters provide a perfect backdrop for the scavenger hunt, and the clues lead the characters on a wild chase through the streets of Nice and the French countryside. The game is filled with danger and intrigue, as the characters must face life-threatening situations to unlock the secrets.

The locations are breathtaking, and the vistas of the French Riviera add another layer to the movie's beauty. The cinematography is superb, and the direction is masterful, as the tension builds to a crescendo with each new clue.

The Last of Sheila is a riveting and suspenseful thriller, with twists and turns that will leave the viewer guessing until the very end. The movie is a masterpiece, with a well-crafted plot, excellent direction, and outstanding cast performances. The characters are well-crafted, and their interconnected relationships are explored in-depth, making them more than mere caricatures of their roles.

To conclude, The Last of Sheila is a must-see for anyone who loves a good murder mystery. It is tense, gripping and full of surprises. Ross's direction is flawless, and the top-notch performances from the entire cast make this a movie to remember. It is a classic thriller that stands the test of time and is sure to entertain generations to come.

The Last of Sheila is a 1973 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.