The Scapegoat (film 2012)
| The Scapegoat | |
|---|---|
| Based on | The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier |
| Written by | Charles Sturridge |
| Directed by | Charles Sturridge |
| Starring |
Matthew Rhys Eileen Atkins |
| Theme music composer | Adrian Johnston |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Sarah Beardsall Dominic Minghella |
| Cinematography | Matt Gray |
| Running time | 108 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Island Pictures |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV, STV, UTV |
| Original release |
|
The Scapegoat is a British film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1957 novel of the same name. The drama is written and directed by Charles Sturridge and stars Matthew Rhys as lookalike characters John Standing and Johnny Spence. It was broadcast on ITV on 9 September 2012.
The novel was first adapted into film in 1959 by director Robert Hamer, with Sir Alec Guinness playing the parts of John Barratt and Jacques de Gué.
There are significant differences between this adaptation and the original novel. Whereas the action of the novel takes place in France, this screen version is set in the UK in 1952 as Britain prepares for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Teacher John Standing, who has just lost his job, meets his doppelgänger Johnny Spence, a failed businessman, in a hotel. Standing is encouraged by Spence to get drunk and the next morning wakes without his clothes and wallet and with Spence gone. Collected by George, the chauffeur to the Spence family, he has difficulty explaining himself and is taken to the family's grand home. He is quickly drawn into family and business affairs and is forced to deal with Spence's business problems and the women in his life: his wife, mother, sister, young daughter, and two mistresses (Spence's sister-in-law Nina, and Bela, a French artist who lives in the nearby town).
The family glass business is failing, and Standing staves off the inevitable by pretending to have signed a contract with a major customer. He finds that Spence's younger brother, Paul, is capable but lacking in confidence, whilst his sister, Blanche, hates Johnny, whom she blames for the suicide of her close friend. Standing discovers that the only money available to save the business is a trust fund belonging to Spence's neglected wife, Frances, but the trust pays out only if Frances has a male heir or she predeceases her husband. Spence, curious as to what is going on in his absence, returns to the house to retrieve his gun and sees Standing sleeping with Frances. Astonished, he uses their (John and Frances') improved relationship to his advantage.
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