The Slender Thread (1965)

Introduction

The Slender Thread is a poignant, tightly wound psychological drama that explores human despair, responsibility, and the tenuous connections that can hold a life together. Directed by Sydney Pollack in his feature debut, the film is based on a true story originally published in Life magazine, dramatizing a suicide prevention hotline worker’s desperate attempt to save a woman’s life through a telephone call.

The film is modest in scope but powerful in execution, driven by two superb central performances from Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft, and underscored by a haunting score from Quincy Jones. Though not as widely remembered as other 1960s dramas, The Slender Thread remains a compelling early example of social realism in American cinema.

Plot Summary

Set in Seattle, the film follows Alan Newell (Sidney Poitier), a college student volunteering at a crisis hotline. Late one night, he answers a call from a distraught woman who identifies herself only as Inga (Anne Bancroft). She calmly explains that she has taken a lethal dose of sleeping pills and is calling not for help—but to speak to someone as she dies.

Alan, rattled but trained to stay composed, immediately alerts his supervisor, Dr. Joe Coburn (Telly Savalas), and authorities begin a race against time to trace the call and locate the woman. As the minutes pass and her condition deteriorates, Inga reveals the events that drove her to despair: a strained marriage, a recent tragedy involving her son, and a sense of emotional abandonment.

The film alternates between real-time action at the crisis centre and flashbacks of Inga’s unravelling life, drawing the audience into both the procedural urgency of the search and the psychological depth of her suffering.

Performances

Sidney Poitier anchors the film with quiet strength as Alan. While his character could have easily been a passive conduit, Poitier brings emotional intelligence and restraint to the role. His performance captures the tension of a man trying to remain calm while grappling with his own fear, helplessness, and growing sense of moral responsibility.

Anne Bancroft, fresh off her Oscar win for The Miracle Worker, delivers a haunting, deeply vulnerable performance. Inga is a woman unravelling not just from sorrow but from emotional exhaustion. Bancroft’s voice work—anguished, calm, resigned, panicked—creates a portrait of suicidal despair that feels achingly authentic. Her flashback scenes are emotionally raw, illuminating the layers of guilt, grief, and isolation that have pushed her to the brink.

Telly Savalas plays the doctor with a mix of clinical authority and genuine compassion, serving as a grounding force for both Alan and the film’s procedural elements. Steven Hill and Ed Asner appear in supporting roles as the husband and a police detective, respectively—adding weight and realism to the search effort.

Direction and Style

As Sydney Pollack’s first film as director, The Slender Thread is remarkably assured. Pollack uses a documentary-style approach, grounding the action in a realistic crisis centre with a sense of procedural authenticity. He draws strong performances from his cast while sustaining a taut, claustrophobic atmosphere.

The film makes effective use of flashbacks to reveal Inga’s past, a technique that could feel jarring but is handled with sensitivity. These intercut memories add texture and allow Bancroft to fully inhabit the psychological arc of her character.

Pollack’s framing often isolates his characters, especially Inga, emphasizing the film’s thematic concern with disconnection. The contrast between the sterile setting of the call centre and the intimate tragedy of Inga’s flashbacks heightens the emotional stakes.

Cinematography and Music

The Slender Thread was shot in crisp black and white by Loyal Griggs, who gives the film a moody, noir-inflected aesthetic. Seattle’s night-time streets and institutional interiors contribute to a sense of alienation and urgency.

Quincy Jones’s score is a standout—both subtle and evocative. Blending elements of jazz, strings, and melancholic motifs, the music mirrors the emotional arc of the film. It heightens suspense in the chase sequences and adds poignancy to Inga’s flashbacks without ever becoming melodramatic.

Themes

Human Connection: At its core, the film explores how a single voice—a kind stranger on the other end of the line—can mean the difference between life and death.

Isolation and Despair: Inga’s story is not one of madness but of emotional suffocation. The film treats her pain with empathy, acknowledging how personal crises can slowly erode one’s will to live.

Duty and Compassion: Alan's character reflects a quiet heroism rooted in empathy. He has no medical training or answers—only patience and humanity.

The Limitations of Systems: While the procedural elements of tracing the call are depicted with tension and clarity, the film also hints at how ill-equipped even well-meaning institutions can be to address personal tragedy.

Cultural Context and Legacy

In 1965, suicide and mental health were still taboo subjects in mainstream American film. The Slender Thread was notable for treating its subject matter with seriousness and sensitivity rather than sensationalism. It didn't moralize or exploit; instead, it asked audiences to consider what despair looks like—and how society might respond to it.

The film was not a major box office hit, but it earned critical praise for its performances and direction. It helped launch Sydney Pollack’s directing career, which would flourish in later decades with films like They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969) and Out of Africa (1985).

While the film may not be as widely seen today, it holds an important place in the history of mental health representation in cinema and remains deeply affecting.

Final Verdict

The Slender Thread is a small-scale but deeply felt film that showcases the power of empathy and communication in the face of hopelessness. With commanding performances by Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft, a taut and compassionate script, and confident direction by a young Sydney Pollack, the film remains a poignant, suspenseful drama that speaks to the silent crises many people endure.

A forgotten gem of 1960s cinema—intimate, daring, and emotionally resonant.