Your Witness

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 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....

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.

American lawyer Robert Montgomery learns Michael Ripper, who saved his life during the war, is being tried for murder and flies to Britain to help out. He learns that Ripper claims that although he shot the murdered man, who threatened him with a gun. The gun has vanished, but there seems to have been a witness whom no one can identify.

It's more an actor's show than a movie, with Montgomery offering his last theatrical performance -- he also directed . It's certainly watchable throughout, but little more. With Leslie Banks, Felix Aylmer, Jenny Laird and James Hayter.

"Your Witness" was made at the Toddington Studio owned by Warner Brothers. Several US film companies set up studios in the UK because of a British law mandating a certain percentage of the movies shown in theaters would be made domestically. And, like many of these productions, an American prestige actor appeared in the film....and in this case, Robert Montgomery not only starred in it but directed as well.

The story begins in the States and Adam Heyward (Montgomery) learns that an old British war buddy has been arrested for murder! Adam drops everything and heads to the UK to see what help he can provide. While Adam also is a lawyer, he cannot defend this friend in church because he doesn't have any standing (privileges) in British courts. Instead, he investigates and spends much of his time looking for a supposed witness who can verify that the killing was done in self-defense.

This is a film that is the epitome of competent. It's not a great film nor a bad one...just a well made one that is worth seeing, particularly if you like Montgomery. Worth seeing.