Directed by Joseph Losey, The sound of a car crash shatters the stillness of the country night and brings Stephen, an Oxford don, from his work to investigate. He finds two of his students,William, an English nobleman who is dead, and Anna, an Austrian princess suffering from shock. Carrying Anna to his house, Stephen recalls recent events involving the students. During a tutoring session Stephen learns of William’s love for Anna, and Stephen, whose wife, Rosalind, expects their third child and who senses the approach of middle age, also is strongly attracted to her. Stephen’s frustration is increased by his unsatisfactory attempt to rekindle the passion he once shared with Francesca and the knowledge that Anna is having an affair with Charley. Stephen’s feelings for Anna can only end in tragedy for them and those around them.

Tagged: Michael York, Dirk Bogarde, Joseph Losey, Accident, Harold Pinter, Nicholas Mosley, Stanley Baker, Jacqueline Sassard, Vivien Merchant, Delphine Seyrig, Alexander Knox, Ann Firbank, Brian Phelan, Terence Rigby, Freddie Jones, Jill Johnson, Jane Hillary, Maxwell Caulfield, Carole Caplin