Your Witness

This thriller moves at a snail's pace towards its very predictable conclusion.The first half of the film dwells on differences between American and British court procedures.This film was not only the swan song Of Robert Montgomery but also Leslie Banks.There is a brief glimpse of Stanley Baker at the early stages of his career.It is difficult though to realise that the Robert Montgomery who directed this film is the same one who directed the impressive Lady In the Lake.The fact that this was his last film wad probably more to do with the fact that he had bigger fish to fry.In any event at his age he was unlikely to attract many leading roles.Produced by Hitchcock colleague Joan Harrison.

I'm frequently amazed by the low scores, and detrimental reviews about older films on here.

Some films have you gripping the seat of your chair, others have plenty of whooping and hollering - this was comfortable armchair viewing, where you could almost smell the hay, the stables, and the flowers in the village church.

This might have a somewhat predictable storyline, but the softened focus and beautiful locations further enhance the performance by an excellent cast of recognisable characters.

The transition from bustling streets in the States, contrasts beautifully with the tinkling of bicycle bells in a quintessential English village, as the lead character enters the local inn - run by Mr Memory, from The 39 Steps.

The livery stables are as I remember some from the 1950s, with overhanging ivy, and leaning gates - in fact the portrayal of a post war village is perfectly played.

Having a somewhat predictable plot provides a suitable vehicle for an experienced and talented cast, to display their talents and ability to a greater effect - giving impeccable and almost imperceptible nuances to their characters and portrayals.

There was ample time for the enjoyment of these performances, whilst still absorbing the plot line, the anticipated conclusion in the courtroom, and the final scenes around the magnificent house and garden.

I adore Robert Montgomery. He was a totally classy guy without being self-consciously so.

Here he plays a tough NYC attorney who is urged by his secretary to not just send money to the man who saved his life in the war but to cross the Atlantic to assist in his defense.

Montgomery directed and while there's a blessed minimum of cutesy quaintness added in the English village setting, it has a consistently British "literacy" bordering on wordiness, perhaps not out of place in courtroom scenes. It's all very low key and well done. Robert Montgomery had not lost any of his style since his early days and is still wry and bemused in one of his final acting roles.

I watch a lot of 40's and 50's films these days and I caught this on TPTV, a great channel for older movies and TV shows..... I thought this might be the typical fayre of these British films with a 'high profile' American actor, this was not the case.

There's some great humour regarding the language differences and the very different way of life of the English countryside..... the court scenes also highlight this chasm between America and Britain at this time. Indeed, it still happens today but not to such an extent. I recall myself when in the USA, struggling to get a cup of coffee because the staff couldn't understand my London accent or another guy asking me what I thought of the hire car I was driving, it was the newest model and thinking I was a local he asked me what was new about this model, to which I replied that "I didn't know because it was a hire car"..... he looked at me for a moment and then asked " How much higher is it..?" ..... to which I burst out laughing and he left quite indignantly, thinking I was laughing at him ...!

This film highlights these differences in a humorous and also frustrating way, for all involved.... The American star is also not typical in that he doesn't start solving clues or bulldozing through people to find the truth.... He's just an ordinary guy who adapts and because of that, he is able to gain people's trust and confidence.... That I think is highlighted in the final scene from the court proceedings and the manner in which he teased out the vital testimony of the 'star' witness .... and most importantly in the final scenes after the court case is over...

It's a good story and kept me interested and enjoying throughout..... Robert Montgomery was also the director and I think that this as well as his role as the star made this film all the better..... a very different film than most of the time and because of that well worth watching....

In his final film Robert Montgomery's boredom is only too apparent in this uninvolving courtroom drama that however boasts a cast that manages to include both Leslie Banks and Stanley Baker.

It bears a striking resemblance to the similarly titled 'Hostile Witness' (also directed by and starring a visitor from Hollywood, on that occasion Ray Milland), even down to the judge being played by Felix Aylmer; the later film's most obvious concession to the passage of time being that that was in colour.