Movie

Starting a Game

NOTE To play this game using a controller, select Kempston in the options menu.

Options Menu

To cycle through the three options in the options menu, press or any key other than C on the keyboard, or the Control options button on the controller.

To change the currently selected option, press C on the keyboard, or the Select menu item button on the controller. This will cycle through the options for the selected item.

To exit the options menu, press any key other than C on the keyboard three times, or press the Control options button on the controller three times.

KEMPSTON/SINCLAIR/CURSOR/KEYBOARD

Change this option to adjust the chosen device for input. This should be keyboard if you are using The Spectrum’s keyboard, or kempston if you are using a connected controller or joystick. Do not select Sinclair or cursor when using a controller or joystick.

DIRECT/ROTAT.

Changing this option adjusts how the player character responds to movement from the keyboard or controller. In rotation mode, the character will rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise when moving left or right. In directional mode, the same input will move the player character to the left or right immediately.

IQ ON/OFF

Enabling IQ mode allows the player character to move around some immoveable objects automatically when player input is causing the character to walk into them.

Gameplay

Different objects and enemies in Movie can be interacted with through different gameplay modes, which are controlled through the menu at the bottom of the screen. By default, the game is in movement mode - to change this, press the Open menu key or button on the controller, and move left or right to cycle through the options in the menu. Press Select menu to choose an option.

1. Cycle inventory item
   • Cycle between the three inventory slots. 11 moves from left-right horizontally to indicate the selected inventory slot
2. Drop item
   • Drops the currently selected inventory item
3. Pick up item
   • Pick up an item in front of the player
4. Use gun
   • Fire the character’s weapon in the direction he is facing
5. Walk mode
   • Exit the menu and resume control of the player character
6. Speech mode
   • Enter speech mode
   • Use the keyboard to communicate with characters nearby
   • Characters can respond to different phrases (asking someone to move, asking for a passphrase) with another speech bubble or action.
7. Punch/hit
   • Punch in the direction the character is facing
8. Throw item
   • Throw the currently selected item forwards
9. Halt/Pause game
   • Pause or un-pause the game
10. Abort game
    • Press once to pause the game, then press abort again to restart the game at the menu screen
    • Press halt when the screen is red to un-pause the game

Story

The Action is set in New York in the thirties. Private Detective Jack Marlow has a dangerous assignment ahead… To penetrate the headquarters of mobster Bugs Malloy, locate a valuable tape recording and return to his office to play the message. You are Jack Marlow!

The gang-leaders inner sanctum is impossible to find without help and the nearer you approach the more of his henchmen will block your path.

In this hostile world you need a friend, one who will lead you to your goal - she is Tanya, and when you find her your troubles may be over; but beware you may run into her evil sister Vanya, who is working for Bugs… She will take you round in circles until you’re bumped off!