Sleuth remake debuts in Venice

Updated 11.00 Thu Aug 30 2007

Keywords: Venice Film Festival, Jude Law, Sir Michael Caine, Sleuth

A remake of the 1972 classic Sleuth will be unveiled at the Venice Film Festival later.

Sir Michael Caine, who will be attending the screening, starred in the original as Milo Trindle, a hairdresser having an affair with the wife of wealthy writer Andrew Wyke, played by the late Lord (Laurence) Olivier.

Sir Michael Caine, who will be attending the screening, starred in the original as Milo Trindle

Wyke invites the younger man to his country home and draws him into a deadly game of wits.

Joining him at the premiere will be co-star Jude Law, who plays the new young rival. Sir Michael now takes on Lord Olivier's role.

Kenneth Branagh directed the remake, while Harold Pinter wrote the script - but he described the new version, which is based on Anthony Shaffer's award-winning play, as "a totally new take".

Pinter said:"I've kept one or two plot things because you have to but apart from that, I think I've made it my own."

Sleuth is in competition for the Golden Lion prize for best film in Venice.