Suspect

This is a film that was made by the Boultings at about the time they were preparing I'm Alright Jack.It contains some pretty odd characters.Virginia Maskell who was engaged to amputee Ian Bannen but is still living with him.Bannen himself playing the amputee who for some reason has to have most things done for him despite the fact that even in the sixties prosthetic limbs were available.There is also the secret service portrayed by Nigel Stock as bumbling but effective.At the time this film was made the country was getting over the shock of the defections to Russia and the errors made by the secret service.Donald Pleasance is effective as the seedy go between.Peter Cushing also stands out as the head of the department,whilst Tony Britton makes the best of a rather thankless role.A very interest and almost unknown film.

1960's "The Risk" (British title "Suspect") was a lower budgeted effort from Roy and John Boulting, made in 17 days on a wager since they had three weeks of studio time booked and had finished their most recent production ahead of schedule. Leading its distinguished supporting cast is third billed Peter Cushing as Professor Sewell, heading a close knit group of research scientists whose findings on bacteria and germ warfare are ready to be published, but quickly silenced by their concerned government, afraid that enemies could use their findings against humanity. Sewell and his staff are outraged, but it's the less experienced youngsters who prove to be too impatient, endangering the entire project by allowing themselves to become pawns of a war veteran (Ian Bannen) embittered by the loss of both arms. The little known leads, Tony Britton and Virginia Maskell (a tragic suicide in 1968), are easily overshadowed by their veteran co-stars, especially Thorley Walters as security chief Prince, Sam Kydd his number one aide, and Donald Pleasence as the mysterious Bill Brown, who insists he can find a way to publish the report. On such a short shooting schedule that would do Roger Corman proud, it's the experienced players that keep the plot simmering. Between classic turns in "The Flesh and the Fiends" and "The Brides of Dracula," Peter Cushing enjoys a rare change of pace, a bespectacled, older man of reason in gray hair and mustache, tinkering with props such as a pipe and stop watch. His final speech touching upon responsibility to the law is a moving one: "you are young enough to be sure that you are right, I am old enough to be sure of only one thing, that I can be wrong."

Watching this one made me wonder about the contrast between the state and morality. I found this ahead of its time considering the year it was made. In the proceeding decade from that, attitudes of being fancy free were in the forefront of people's minds, yet big brother was stewing in the background. It also delves into the human psyche as a side issue. I guess it's all about government interference in science, and how scientists respond to it. The former is selfish through paranoia and the latter feels the powers that be can not see the human side that would be for the benefit of all mankind.

Far less well known or celebrated film from the Boultings but certainly above average. Tony Britton plays the lead, a youngish and naively principled scientist up against a fairly Orwellian authority in "the government", and he's quite good too - he is most remembered for appearing in various cosy family sit-coms in later career.

He is very ably supported by a strong cast- the lovely Virginia Maskell is the object of his affections albeit married to the tragically disarmed Ian Bannen. Peter Cushing, Raymond Huntley, Donald Pleasence and Kenneth Griffiths offer first class support; there is a quirky role for Spike Milligan, who gets the final sign-off scene, but it is Thorley Walters who steals the show as an eccentric, bumbling but persistent security chief. Well worth catching when next aired on TPTV.

A decently made,fairly entertaining attempt to make a mini-budget suspense spy thriller with a very familiar British cast;the supporting players are actually more characterful than leads Tony Britton and Virginia Maskell;Ian Bannen was usually cast in intense roles and he does a fine job here as a tortured and tragic soul disabled by circumstance,and there's reliable support from such British stalwarts as Donald Pleasence,Thorley Walters,Raymond Huntley and Kenneth Griffith.The quirkiest performance though comes from legendary comic genius Spike Milligan as an Irish caretaker;his scenes of comic relief work quite well,though there isn't enough of them.

The limitations of production sometimes work against the film,as does a fairly routine and unremarkable plot,but some neat touches by the Boultings,as well as the above performers,make SUSPECT a perfectly watchable effort.