Eyewitness

An adequately thrilling and reasonably well directed crime film, completed with an appropriately dark atmosphere clinging to it, the film does however unfortunately waste quite a bit of time on unnecessary supporting characters, and some of the acting feels a bit over-the-top. A few of the scenes also feel as if they are drawing out for too long too, as a number of them have little relevance to the story, but the film still holds up despite its drawbacks. The script and shot footage could have benefited from tighter editing, but as it is, the film is still effective for providing thrills and chills. It is worth a look.

(1956) Eyewitness THRILLER

The set up has a wife, Lucy Church (Muriel Pavlow) arguing with her husband, Jay Church (Michael Craig) over an expensive purchase. Before she leaves, she then tells him she does not want it there when she comes back, and decides to go to the movies by herself. And after she uses the phone, it was during then she catches Wade (Donald Sinden) attacking the manager, and while his partner, Barney is chasing her through the corridor. The manager then wakes up from his attack before Wade decides to use a gun on him. By the time Lucy makes it to the street, she is then struck by an oncoming bus knocking her unconscious. For the next hour or so has Wade attempting to sneak onto the premises of the hospital, and making several attempts to end Lucy's life with obstacles thwarting those attempts with coincidences.

It is a little outdated, as it looks as if this was during the post war era when all the patients are placed on the bottom floor along with other patients, with anyone able to look through windows of hospitals. For hospitals these days have a right to their privacy and do not have windows where others are able to see them.

Fans of those black-and-white British crime dramas of the 50s and 60s will appreciate Eyewitness, and its a cut above most in that genre. Suspense is maintained well in a hospital setting, with generally capable performances all round. For 1956, this film doesn't shy away from showing violence, and has a good, sinister atmosphere.

Muriel Pavlow quarrels with husband Michael Craig and walks out.... and goes to the movies. After a while, she goes to phone home, but sees Donald Sinden and Nigel Stock robbing the theater's safe. They chase her into traffic, where she is hit by a car. "Good enough," says Stock. "Nonsense," says sociopathic Sinden. "We'd best go to the hospital and if she isn't already dead, smother her with a pillow. It will be jolly" -- or words to that effect.

It's a movie that is watchable to the end, but more because of what it attempts to do than because of what it succeeds in. The script shows some nice gender reversal in the relationship between Miss Pavlow and Mr. Craig for the era, and it's shot so dark for much of its length that the actual key events, of Mr. Sinden being menacing can't be seen -- only his calmly and rationally insane voice. It's a lovely idea, but doesn't quite work for a motion picture, alas.

Enjoyed this thriller though maybe for the wrong reasons. The plot was engaging enough but seemed to evolve slowly into a 'Carry on' type hospital farce with characters running hither and thither intertwined with a moustachioed and inept villain (all that was missing was a black cloak) along with a romantic and tasty night nurse. Very entertaining though and I found that the unintentional humour just added to the enjoyment.

Some of the patients seemed a bit too perky to be laid up in an emergency ward but their acting was good even if it was more suited to a comedy. Lots of improbable scenes but still worth a watch!