Tree of Hands

Tree of Hands (released in the US as Innocent Victim) is a 1989 British psychological drama film directed by Giles Foster and starring Helen Shaver, Lauren Bacall, Malcolm Stoddard and Peter Firth. It is based on the 1984 novel The Tree of Hands by Ruth Rendell. Plot Benet Archdale (Helen Shaver), a London-based best-selling author who has just written a controversial novel, lives alone with her young son. Benet's mother, Marsha (Lauren Bacall), visiting from the United States, is a manic-depressive who has psychotic episodes. When Benet's young son dies, Marsha kidnaps a local child to serve as a substitute. Benet believes she should return the child but upon investigation she finds out that the child has been severely abused by his parents. After the child's disappearance, the parents are charged with the murder. Cast Helen Shaver ... Benet Archdale Lauren Bacall ... Marsha Archdale Malcolm Stoddard ... Ian Raeburn Peter Firth ... Terence Paul McGann ... Barry Kate Hardie ... Carol Tony Haygarth ... Kostas Phyllida Law ... Julia David Schofield ... Detective Inspector Amanda Dickinson ... Molly Fiona McAlpine ... Neighbour Julie Jupp ... Neighbour's Daughter Sean Blowers ... Detective Allan Mitchell ... Consultant Simon Prebble ... Newscaster Barnaby Brown ... Jason Charles Pountney ... James References