Ordeal By Innocence (1985)

When a paleontologist (Donald Sutherland) returns to England after a two year expedition, he attempts to return an address book to a hitchhiker (Billy McColl) that was left in his car after giving the boy a lift. What he finds, however, is that the boy has been executed for the murder of his mother (Faye Dunaway) after his alibi (that he was with Sutherland at the time of the killing) could not be proved. Sutherland's guilt causes him to try and expose the real killer but the surviving family doesn't seem much interested in whether McColl was innocent or not. Based on an Agatha Christie novel, director Desmond Davis (CLASH OF THE TITANS) doesn't seem to have a knack for suspense or atmosphere (despite the picturesque Dartmouth coast location) and the film meanders to its pallid conclusion. It doesn't help that the film has one of the most inappropriate film scores ever. An improvised "cool" jazz score by Dave Brubeck that has no tension or mystery whatsoever. It might sound okay in a jazz club but it severely hampers the film. The gratuitous nudity also seems at odds with the Christie universe. With Christopher Plummer, Sarah Miles, Ian McShane, Diana Quick, Annette Crosbie and Michael Elphick.