Hitchhiker Janine Talbot is picked up and murdered by an unseen assailant. Mark Gifford, a merchant sailor on leave, then disposes of the body, attracting the suspicion of his wheelchair-using brother Robert. The police become suspicious of both brothers, who are rivals over their half-cousin, Margaret.
Russell Braddon's novel was originally set in England but was relocated to Australia.[4] Burstall made the film as part of a deliberate effort to move away from "ocker material". He was attracted to Braddon's novel because it would be simple to film as it was basically a two hander, while also preparing Eliza Fraser (1976). The movie was budgeted at $244,000 but eventually cost $294,000.[1] Shooting commenced in January 1975.
The two leads, George Mallaby and John Waters, were familiar faces on Australian television at the time.[2]
Reception
The film performed reasonably at the box-office, and in 1979 reported that it had just broken even. It also rated highly on television, the rights for which earned Hexagon $70,000.[2] Burstall admitted the film might have been more effective as a TV movie, but says it would have been harder to make a profit that way.[1]
The film is rated M in New Zealand for violence and cruelty.
