Triple Echo (1972)

Set in WWII England, a woman (Glenda Jackson), whose husband is a prisoner of war in Japan, runs her farm all by herself. She begins an affair with a soldier (Brian Deacon) who is AWOL. In order to avoid suspicion, he dresses as a woman and passes himself off as her sister. But things go sour very quickly when a rough Sergeant (Oliver Reed) takes a fancy to the young "girl". Based on the novella by H.E. Bates and directed by Michael Apted (COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER) in his feature film debut. This odd little film is hampered by the fact that Brian Deacon simply isn't believable as a woman. In cross dressing comedies like TOOTSIE or THE BIRDCAGE, a suspension of belief is possible but it's not so simple for a dramatic story. Add to the fact that Deacon's character isn't very sympathetic, one can't get too wrapped up in his fate. There is the ambiguity over Deacon's character's motives. After awhile, he seems to enjoy dressing up and as Jackson's character points out behaves like a peevish woman but there's no suggestion he has homosexual tendencies. Other than that, it's a solid film with nice performances from Jackson and Reed (reuniting 3 years after WOMEN IN LOVE). With Gavin Richards and Jenny Lee Wright.