IMDb RATING
7.0/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
When a scientist threatens to detonate a powerful bomb in the heart of London, Scotland Yard has just seven days to find him before it is too late.When a scientist threatens to detonate a powerful bomb in the heart of London, Scotland Yard has just seven days to find him before it is too late.When a scientist threatens to detonate a powerful bomb in the heart of London, Scotland Yard has just seven days to find him before it is too late.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
André Morell
- Superintendent Folland
- (as Andre Morell)
Joss Ackland
- Station Policeman
- (uncredited)
Gerald Andersen
- Bit Part
- (uncredited)
Jean Anderson
- Mother at Train Station
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJames Bernard was most famous for composing the scores to numerous Hammer horrors, including Horror of Dracula (1958). Ironically, however, it was for this film that he won his only Oscar - as co-writer of the screenplay, not the music.
- GoofsFurther to the comment of "In 1950, a nuclear weapon would weigh at least six metric tonnes. It certainly would not fit into a small Gladstone bag as shown in this movie" - the word "nuclear" is never used in this film. It is clearly stated that it is a new secret weapon, a UR 12, which does fit into a small Gladstone bag. It isn't an atom bomb (the term used at that time).
- Quotes
Superintendent Folland: Repressing of fear is like trying to hold down the lid of a boiling kettle. Something's got to give eventually.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits prologue: 1950
- ConnectionsReferenced in The Peacemaker (1997)
Featured review
Takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'
London has "Seven Days to Noon" before it faces destruction in this 1950 cold war film starring Barry Jones, Hugh Lane, Olive Sloane, and Joan Hickson. Jones plays Professor Willingdon, an overwrought scientist whose work in the atomic field has gotten to him; he feels his life's work is being used for evil rather for good. He sends a letter to the Prime Minister warning that if the government doesn't stop making nuclear weapons, he is going to blow up London the following Sunday. Willingdon then disappears from his job and family and hides out in London with an atom bomb in a suitcase.
Stories about the possible destruction of humanity are never out of style, and, though low-budget, "Seven Days to Noon" is no exception. Though the end (at least for this viewer) was never in doubt, the film holds interest, with good acting, good pacing, and suspense.
Two character actresses are standouts: Olive Sloane as a woman taken hostage by the scientist, and Joan Hickson, known today for playing Miss Marple on Masterpiece Theatre, as a landlady who is suspicious of him. Jones is very good as the disturbed Willingdon.
Very good, recommended.
Stories about the possible destruction of humanity are never out of style, and, though low-budget, "Seven Days to Noon" is no exception. Though the end (at least for this viewer) was never in doubt, the film holds interest, with good acting, good pacing, and suspense.
Two character actresses are standouts: Olive Sloane as a woman taken hostage by the scientist, and Joan Hickson, known today for playing Miss Marple on Masterpiece Theatre, as a landlady who is suspicious of him. Jones is very good as the disturbed Willingdon.
Very good, recommended.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Eine Stadt hält den Atem an
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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