Inspector Doppler in Sleuth (Warning-Spoiler Do not read if you haven't seen movie)

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I saw this movie for the first time when I was small, and the moment when Inspector Doppler reveals himself as Michael Caine was a complete surprise to me. And when I saw it as an adult, I knew the twist. But it now seemed to me obvious that it was MC under that make-up (especially because of his voice).

So my question. Is this twist supposed to be
a) a total surprise to everybody watching
or
b) a surprise only to Laurence Olivier, with the audience in on the joke?

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 10:10 (twenty-one years ago)

it was meant 2b a shock for everyone, to the extent that there's even a 3rd actor listed on the opening credits, and an actual listing for 'him' on IMDB. when the original play was in theatres, the programme/brochure in foyers/posters etc all had a 3rd actor listed too with a biog!

unfortunately i knew it was caine before watching, but it was still ace as i had no clue that olivier hadn't *really* thought he was dead. i thought we were meant 2 think olivier thought he was dead and caine had secretly kind of recovered/stayed alive. i wonder at which point r we meant to think 'oh so he didn't kill him then?!!'
god it's a *total* twisteroo headfcuk that film and i love it to pieces.

other cool / funny thoughts on the doppler revelation here
(scroll down to the silver RECENT POSTS box near the bottom)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069281/

― piscesboy, Wednesday, 15 September 2004 11:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for the link. The posts there are the kind of answers I was hoping for.
The thing that gives Caine away the most, I think, is his habit of pausing before saying the last 3 or 4 words of a sentence, which he continues to do as Doppler, even with a different accent. (Jeremy Clarkson (British reference) does the same kind of thing in a more exaggerated way, of course)

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Wednesday, 15 September 2004 12:27 (twenty-one years ago)

seven months pass...

I saw this last night, what a glorious film. Brilliantly crafted and where the 'jumped up pantry-boy' lyric was pilfered by Morrissey. I had vague rumblings that Doppler was Caine but wasn't certain, the make-up is fantastic for a 1972 film.

I understand there are plans to remake it, with Caine in Olivier's role and Jude Law (gah) as Milo. I like the idea of Caine's return but can someone stab Jude's face off right now please, thanks.

― Affectian (Affectian), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:13 (twenty-one years ago)

five years pass...

Okay, saw this last night. Olivier awesome and Caine better than usual.

When Doppler came in, I twigged straight away that he was Caine, but I thought "okay, this is a cool 2-header thing, he's a different character, and Olivier is lying about the didn't-mean-to-kill-him thing." Then when it turned out that it was just Caine in disguise, it was q

― I'm being a smartass here, but in a fun way (NotEnough), Friday, 16 July 2010 07:56 (fifteen years ago)

Okay, saw this last night. Olivier awesome and Caine better than usual.

Loved the little toys and whatnot, like they're watching the action (and being controlled by the actors) in the same way as the audience, watching the game unfurl below us.

― I'm being a smartass here, but in a fun way (NotEnough), Friday, 16 July 2010 07:58 (fifteen years ago)

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