In an effort to apply his theories of criminal reformation, a psychiatrist gives refuge to a handsome crook. The thief and the doctor's wife fall in love and make plans of their own.
A deadly triangle of repressed lust develops between petty criminal Frank Clemmons (Dirk Bogarde), Dr. Clive Esmond (Alexander Knox), an eminent psychiatrist and his beautiful wife Glenda (Alexis Smith).
Caught robbing Dr. Esmond at gunpoint, Clemmons volunteers to become part of the doctor's social rehabilitation experiment rather than serve a prison sentence. Confined to the Doctor's home for six months, Clemmons becomes a plaything for Esmond's radical psychotherapy and a target for young wife Glenda's stern moral reprimands.
Repelled and then attracted by Clemmons' smoldering glances, Glenda pits doctor against patient - husband against lover - according to her own perverse desire for attention and domination by men. Murder and violence hang in the air, while murky loyalties and allegiances stew to a shocking climax of animalistic fury.
Famed director Joseph Losey, having fled to England as a result of McCarthy-era blacklisting, helmed this stylish effort under the psuedonym Victor Hanbury.
It's All About Style
Movie Lover: Jeremy Weinstein from
Walnut Creek, CA US -- January, 24, 2009
Directed by Joseph Losey aka (due to his blacklisting) Victor Hanbury) Print appears to have cuts, sometimes of apparently key lines. Senses of Cinema: "... hilariously 'bad,' but Losey's electric instincts thrust [it] into the domain of exciting art.... a masterpiece that argues that as far as film directing is concerned, style is content. ... a film of such blithe absurdity, such fearsome energy, that it's like a fever dream?you can't take your eyes off of it.
Its basic plot is ridiculous ...Alexis Smith giv[es] the performance of her life.... Nothing else Losey made is as much sheer cinematic fun as The Sleeping Tiger?it's an or gy of style." If you like Douglas Sirk, you'll love this.
Gripping film
Movie Lover: L.E. Juge from
Hell's Kitchen, NY -- August, 10, 2008
Film bristles with excitement from beginning to end. .eagerly wait for the next scene, the next move
in the film ... At every turn the film amazes-- on the edge of your seat excitement -- keeps you involved & wondering what's next... strongly delineated characters constantly surprise you...they don't do or say what you expect... unpredictable & surprising... the kind of film I could watch over & over again.
Stunnning photography, character involving,,, I could see this film again right now & I just finished seeing it... The film was directed by Joseph Losey-- his films have always
amazed me.! The best $5 film investment you can make!
Include this superb classic in your next order.
Film Collectors & Archivists: Alpha Video is actively looking for rare and
unusual pre-1943 motion pictures, in good condition, from Monogram, PRC,
Tiffany, Chesterfield, and other independent studios for release on DVD. We
are also interested in TV shows from the early 1950s. Share your passion
for films with a large audience.
Let us know what you have.
