Murder Without Crime

An unruly noir hybrid of both the British and American schools, Murder Without Crime marked the directorial debut of J. Lee Thompson - while Bristolian playwright and future director of such heavyweight fare as Ice Cold in Alex, The Guns of Navarone and Cape Fear. Adapted from Thompson's own successful West End play, the film rarely wanders far from its four-walled theatrical origins, though there are some lushly realised monochromatic nightscapes courtesy of Willam McLeod's cinematography. At its core a running battle of wits between a drunk, paranoid philanderer and a devious, snobbish extortionist, Murder Without Crime features excellent performances from both Derek Farr (one of his best) and the always-watchable Dennis Price. Price gleefully revels in his spitefully acid character - an evil-minded, workshy fop whose ultimate comeuppance is well deserved. Steve Rogers PRODUCT DESCRIPTION A Hitchcockian psychological thriller, Murder without Crime marked the directing debut of J. Lee Thompson, who would go on to score numerous box-office successes over four decades with a series of iconic films that made him a top-ranking director both in Britain and the US. Adapted from Thompson's own West End play is presented here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements. When author Stephen and his wife Jan have a violent quarrel, both storm out of the house and it seems as if their marriage is at an end. Soon, Stephen finds himself embroiled in a situation from which there appears to be only oneAn unruly noir hybrid of both the British and American schools, Murder Without Crime marked the directorial debut of J. Lee Thompson - while Bristolian playwright and future director of such heavyweight fare as Ice Cold in Alex, The Guns of Navarone and Cape Fear. Adapted from Thompson's own successful West End play, the film rarely wanders far from its four-walled theatrical origins, though there are some lushly realised monochromatic nightscapes courtesy of Willam McLeod's cinematography.At its core a running battle of wits between a drunk, paranoid philanderer and a devious, snobbish extortionist, Murder Without Crime features excellent performances from both Derek Farr (one of his best) and the always-watchable Dennis Price. Price gleefully revels in his spitefully acid character - an evil-minded, workshy fop whose ultimate comeuppance is well deserved.PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONA Hitchcockian psychological thriller, Murder without Crime marked the directing debut of J. Lee Thompson, who would go on to score numerous box-office successes over four decades with a series of iconic films that made him a top-ranking director both in Britain and the US. Adapted from Thompson's own West End play is presented here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements.When author Stephen and his wife Jan have a violent quarrel, both storm out of the house and it seems as if their marriage is at an end. Soon, Stephen finds himself embroiled in a situation from which there appears to be only one way out; in the power of a manipulative landlord, and having apparently killed a woman by accident, he fixes himself a lethal drink... way out; in the power of a manipulative landlord, and having apparently killed a woman by accident, he fixes himself a lethal drink...