The Anniversary (1968 film)

The Anniversary is a 1968 British black comedy film directed by Roy Ward Baker for Hammer Films and Seven Arts. The screenplay, by Jimmy Sangster, was adapted from Bill MacIlwraiths 1966 play.

The play was first produced in the West End with Mona Washbourne as Mrs. Taggart. Bette Davis initially turned down the role in the screen adaptation, but after Jimmy Sangster, who had scripted her earlier film The Nanny 1965, rewrote the screenplay, she agreed to play the role. Sheila Hancock, Jack Hedley, and James Cossins were signed to reprise the roles they had played in the stage production. Original director Alvin Rakoff was replaced a week into filming after he clashed with Davis, who felt he didnt have the first fundamental knowledge of making a motion picture, let alone what an actor was all about. Rakoff, an awardwinning director who has steered quite a few actors to acclaimed performances Laurence Olivier, Peter Sellers, etc. countered .Not the most rational woman one can meet. But a great screen actress. She didnt want a director. She wanted someone enthralled to her. Initially I was. But eventually.....Talk of my making her subservient to the camera is nonsense. The script remained a wordy stage play hardly the best basis for a film. My removal was a mixture of regret and pleasure.Davis was required to wear selfadhesive eye patches for her role, which not only proved to be a constant irritant, but affected her equilibrium as well. ........

Source: Wikipedia