In 1949, when his former British war buddy is charged with murder, American lawyer Adam Hayward goes to England to see if he can help.In 1949, when his former British war buddy is charged with murder, American lawyer Adam Hayward goes to England to see if he can help.In 1949, when his former British war buddy is charged with murder, American lawyer Adam Hayward goes to England to see if he can help.
- Alex Summerfield, Robert's Sister in Law
- (as Patricia Wayne)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFinal acting role for Robert Montgomery in a theatrical film. He continued with acting roles on TV as well as directing some theatrically released films.
- Quotes
Adam Heyward: Well, I don't know what you call it here, but at home we'd say I was a 'character witness'. A witness as to the prisoner's character, my Lord.
The British Judge: Yes, I see. Let us say rather a witness to the prisoner's reputation.
Adam Heyward: We would say character, sir.
The British Judge: Mr Heywood. It was written long ago by an eminent divine, a man's reputation is what his neighbours think of him. His character is what God knows of him.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Ken Adam: Designing Bond (2000)
To that end, he is ably assisted by the UK postwar-evocative cinematography of Gerald Gibbs, and screenplay by Hugo Butler and Ian Hunter, telling of US Major and lawyer Adam Heyward flying to the UK to save from the gallows a UK Army sergeant who had saved his life behind German lines during World War II.
Of course, upon arrival in the UK he finds that the English spoken there is different (some chuckles at the interpretation of words and expressions), that lawyers and judges dress and address colleagues and the public rather more formally than in Uncle Sam, and he meets a host of British characters played by supporting thespians of the highest grade, including Michael Ripper as the wrongly accused friend Heyward does his utmost to rescue from the noose, Felix Aylmer as judge, James Hayter as trial witness, Stanley Baker as a copper, Leslie Banks as Colonel Summerfield, pretty Shelagh Fraser as Ellen Foster, and many others in a supporting cast bristling with talent and sobriety to give the film an authentic British background.
Montgomery delivers a quietly effective performance, bemused at times, serious at other times, always with an eye on stunningly beautiful Patricia Wayne.
Though perhaps 10-15 minutes longer than it needed to be, dialogue is interesting throughout, B&W photography highly accomplished, especially the bucolic setting, which the extremely pleasant score by Malcolm Arnold only enhances.
After showing courage in directing and acting in LADY IN THE LAKE four years ealier, in which he appeared only in reflections in the mirror, Montgomery comes full circle as a talented director in this his final film, before turning to TV work.
Certainly worth watching.
- adrianovasconcelos
- Apr 12, 2023
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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