Life in Danger is a 1959 British second feature[1] film directed by Terry Bishop and starring Derren Nesbitt and Julie Hopkins.[2]
| Life in Danger | |
|---|---|
.png) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Terry Bishop |
| Written by | Malcolm Hulke Eric Paice |
| Produced by | Jack Parsons |
| Starring | Derren Nesbitt Julie Hopkins |
| Edited by | John Trumper |
| Music by | William Davies |
Production company | Parroch Films |
| Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service |
Release date |
|
Running time | 62 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editHazel Ashley, an emotionally unstable adolescent, meets a casual labourer and befriends him. At the same time, news comes that Miller, a convicted child murderer, has just escaped from a nearby lunatic asylum.
Hazel goes missing, and when local villagers led by Major Peters search for her, they find her in a barn with the labourer, whom they assume is the escaped killer. Peters shoots and wounds him. When the police arrive they report that Miller has previously surrendered himself.
Cast
edit- Derren Nesbitt as the man
- Julie Hopkins as Hazel Ashley
- Howard Marion Crawford as Major Donald Peters
- Victor Brooks as Tom Baldwin
- Jack Allen as Jack Ashley
- Christopher Witty as Johnny Ashley
- Carmel McSharry as Mrs. Ashley
- Mary Manson as Jill Shadwell
- Bruce Seton as George, the landlord
- Peter Swanwick as Dr. Nichols
- Bryan Coleman as Chief Constable Ryman
- Humphrey Lestocq as Inspector Bennet
- Richard Pearson as Sergeant Bert Norris
- Celia Hewitt as woman at bus stop
- Brian Rawlinson as male nurse
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This attempt at the familiar but always tricky subject of an average community shocked into violence by a threat to its ordinary existence – in this case an escaped criminal lunatic – has a tense opening and two mainly effective leading performances. Unfortunately realism soon takes second place to conventional thrills and a facile climax, and the supporting cast is for the most part unconvincing."[3]
Chibnall and McFarlane in The British 'B' Film call the film a "neat, unpretentious thriller".[1]: 220
References
edit- ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "Life in Danger". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Life in Danger". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 26 (300): 124. 1 January 1959 – via ProQuest.