Overview
A web of blackmail and murder attracts the attention of a barrister with a seemingly idyllic life, threatening to derail his career on the path of success.
MovieMagicScore Overview
Auto-generatedA milestone of socially conscious British cinema, this 1961 crime drama from director Basil Dearden follows a successful barrister whose comfortable life is jeopardized when a tangle of blackmail and murder draws him into danger. Taut and morally probing, the film uses its thriller framework to confront prejudice and the cost of secrecy in its era. Restrained yet courageous in tone, it balances suspense with quiet emotional stakes. With a strong MagicMovieScore of 7.4, it rewards viewers interested in classic dramas that pair genre tension with pointed social commentary.
An automated summary to help you decide what to watch — not a user review or critic rating.
Trailer
Top Cast
Dirk Bogarde
Melville Farr
Sylvia Syms
Laura Farr
Dennis Price
Calloway
Anthony Nicholls
Lord Charles Fullbrook
Peter Copley
Paul Mandrake
Norman Bird
Harold Doe
Peter McEnery
Jack Barrett
Donald Churchill
Eddy Stone
Only 152 ratings so far. The current score has wide uncertainty. Treat it as a preliminary signal.
Why we're confident →Where to Watch
Click icons to visit streaming services directly. Streaming service names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners.
Movie Info
Release Date
August 1, 1961
Runtime
1h 36m
Rating
NR
Genres
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director