1947 Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Jim Ackland, who suffers from a head injury sustained in a bus crash , is the chief suspect in a murder hunt, when a girl that he has just met is found dead on the local common, and he has no alibi for the time she was killed.
It's movies like this that remind me how American I really am. I mean, I understand that British films from this time are known to be understated, but how can this be considered a "thriller" when the bad guy is almost guaranteed to offer you a cup of tea before he very, very politely strangles you while mumbling, "Oh dear, terribly sorry about this, old fellow!"
Brisk and confident handling of expected elements and a good example of doing exactly what it says on the tin. No major surprises, no deviations - no pitfalls either - just steady-as-she-blows exposition through to denouement. No mucking around.
As with many of these pieces, the lighting is the thing, filling in corners of the residential hotel - a wonderfully antediluvian utility nowadays - with deep contrast and smooth menace that creates meaning as much it does atmosphere.
“More coal, please’”...
A gentle murder case with a psychological touch. Very British and with trauma that was felt. I found it quite likable even if the pacing did feel a little on the slow side at times. But that's part of the charms of British crime productions. John Mills carried himself well, and Edward Chapman was the perfect cold killer.
Atmospheric and produces some good suspense, but could have used more of it. John Mills is terrific, everyone is good, especially Joyce Carey as the world's worst housemate. The acting is better than the script, which isn't bad but drags out certain plot points.
John Mills plays a young man suffering from PTSD after a severe car accident and, when news of a murder breaks out, he becomes increasingly worried, thinking he had something to do with it, but he isn't completely certain if it was him that caused it.
John was fantastic as usual in the role, successfully providing the audience with a scarily convincing performance that had me on edge the whole time. I was forever concerned with the poor man's feeble state of mind (or what's left of it because of the damage taken from the accident). Joan Greenwood stars alongside him, who tries to offer him some support every step of the way, and gave a similarly engaging performance in the process.
Almost Hitchcock-ian in presentation, the film left quite an impression on me. An original premise with heavyweight acting legends and an unsettling score click the pieces together nicely.
A near perfect thriller. Highly recommend it.
9/10
Jim (John Mills) suffers a severe head injury in an accident and is hospitalised for quite some time. When he is released from hospital he finds a new job and falls in love, but isn't sure that he is completely recovered from the injuries to his head. When a young woman at his lodgings is brutally murdered he is not sure that he didn't kill her and suspicion is cast upon him by others.
I thought that this was a lovely British murder mystery, it's very much of its time but has a delightful charm.
Roy Ward Baker’s first feature is nice, solid work. He had a nice career after this movie.
Director Roy Ward Baker makes his feature debut with this DELICIOUS British noirish thriller in GLORIOUS BLACK AND WHITE, with screenplay by Eric Ambler after his own novel.
After his release from a hospital, still with head injuries, convalescent John Mills takes lodging at a mouldy boardinghouse, reeking of ATMOSPHERE and full of QUIRKY lodgers. When a murder occurs of course he is suspected. That is when HUMAN NATURE shows its ugly head.
Great cast: John Mills, Joan Greenwood, Edward Chapman, Kay Walsh in the main roles, but there are also several British character actors that help to build the tension.
This is a superior British Noir. Cinematography is superb throughout. Shadow and contrast of lighting are used to impressive effect to build the atmosphere within the hotel.
John Mills is superb in the lead role and the development of suspense is effectively handled.
There is a host of distinctive and original minor roles which adds to the enjoyment of the film.
The ending seems slightly rushed but aside from that this is an excellent film.
A man with a recent history of mental health problems becomes the chief suspect when his neighbour is found strangled. Gripping slow-burn wrong-man thriller. Striking photography, opaque plotting, and understated thesping combine to entertaining effect.
Roy Ward Baker directs this mystery film-noir in which a man, suffering from a head injury sustained in an incident, becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. Starring John Mills and Joan Greenwood.
After improving from a distressing head injury, young scientist Jim Ackland (John Mills) moves to an underprivileged boarding house while he carries on to experience treatment for blackouts, throughout which he recollects zilch.
Recommencing work at a biological factory, John starts a romance with the manager’s daughter, the self-assured Jenny Carden (Joan Greenwood). After Jim caringly loans cash to a corresponding boarder, she is found dead – and powerless to remember his activities, Jim is the main suspect.
John Mills gives a good performance in his…
Well this is a little charmer isn't it. A bit of a suspense / wrong man accused film much in the mold of a Hitchcock thriller. In fact except for the last ten minutes of the film, (which is a superb chase) it sounds and looks like like a "B" Hitchcock copy.
Even though the production levels are strictly "B" quality the acting on the whole is rather good. John Mills plays Jim Ackland our hero has just been released from hospital after a tragic Bus accident in which the young girl sitting next to him dies. Although his physical injuries have healed he is still suffering from what we now call PTSD.
He checks into a small terribly British…
