David Hugh Jones’s 1983 film ‘Betrayal’, adapted by the late, great Harold Pinter from his play of the same name, is a powerful drama.

Right from the first scene it draws one in. ‘Betrayal’ starts with a very distant shot into the darkly lit living room of a house. The camera follows a couple arguing heatedly. The thing is that we follows this scene, this argument, without any sound. The only word to describe this opening scene is dark, haunting, unforgettable.

Pinter’s story, which is believed to be semi-autobiographical, describes a gut wrenching betrayal. Through the course of the film the main character, London literary agent Robert, discovers that his wife Emma is having an affair with his very best friend, book publisher, Jerry. It is a double whammy, bitter betrayal.

Famously, and to great effect, Pinter tells the story in reverse order.’Betrayal’ starts with Robert finally confronting Emma , and ends with Jerry declaring his love for Emma and embracing her. Perfect bookends to the film! And the final scene, like the opening scene, is haunting.

With ‘Betrayal’, Pinter is not only telling the betrayal story, but also authentically documents a very intense love story, that drove the two lovers on down their dark road.

David Hugh Jones’s direction is spot on. The performances are tremendous. Ben Kingsley is perfect portraying a man, icy calm on the outside, seething with tension on the inside. Jeremy Irons’s Jerry and Patricia Hodge’s Emma are two people who have let their emotions take over their lives, making for an uncertain future.