Projection problems plagued Countess’ London premiere on January 5, 1967, Jerry Epstein recalled, and it was perhaps an omen, for reaction by critics afterward was swift and immediate: The film was a bomb.

The Quaker was no sooner assured by this fellow of the birth and low fortune of Jones, than all compassion for him vanished; and the honest plain man went home fired with no less indignation than a duke would have felt at receiving an affront from such a person.

Viewers make their way into their selected auditorium and sit with other like-positioned, like-prepared patrons.

[…] the flame departing and recoursing thrice ere the wood took strength to be sharper to consume […]