DR CRIPPEN

The film opens straight into the heart of the matter, with footage of Dr Crippen (Donald Pleasance, HALLOWEEN; ALONE IN THE DARK) being ushered from a police van and into a courtroom.

Angry members of the public try to get at the stony-faced doctor as he makes the short walk into the courtroom.

He's led into the dock alongside the demure Ethel (a young Samantha Eggar, THE BROOD; THE EXTERMINATOR). The charges are read out to the pair of them as they stand in the dock side by side.

Dr Crippen, we hear, is charged with the murder of his wife, Belle (Coral Browne, THEATRE OF BLOOD). Ethel is charged with being an accessory to the crime. They both plead not guilty.

In court, the prosecutor addresses the jury and explains how Ethel was employed as Crippen's typist for a number of years. He argues that Crippen seduced her and manipulated her, putting the case forward that Ethel is largely innocent in the events leading up to the night that Crippen killed, mutilated and dismembered his wife.

While the prosecutor puts forward this case with passion, Crippen stares blankly from the dock. The screen fades on his face as the movie takes us back in time to get "his" story first-hand.

What we see to begin with is a mild-mannered man with a dominant wife. While these points in the story are assumptions, the factual stuff is very accurate. If anything, Leigh Vance's (THE FRIGHTENED CITY) script is bold for it's time in being perhaps too sympathetic towards Crippen ... up to a point.

Now and again, director Robert Lynn (INVITATION TO MURDER) keeps us informed on the court case, and reminds us that we're not just watching a laid-back biography (which is how the flashback footage sometimes feels). Back in the court, fresh witnesses are brought to the stand and Crippen continues to watch impassively as his marital life is scrutinised.

Pleasance gives a fantastic performance as Crippen. His effortless restraint, virtually devoid of any facial expression throughout the entire movie, is genuinely chilling. It's a quiet, sombre performance that carries the film superbly. Eggar is surprising (though underused) as Ethel too.

Browne is, if anything, a little too zealous in the role of Mrs Crippen. Mixed with Vance's dialogue, her performance makes it sometimes difficult not to feel for the bookish doctor, and understand why she HAD to die (not to mention the film's suggestion of her infidelity ...). A curious move by the filmmakers, although given this was made in 1962 - when the debate over the death penalty in Britain raged on - perhaps there was a need to reinforce the argument that Crippen's act was premeditated, when so many contested whether he was actually guilty.

Either way, this is well-shot, attractive looking piece that makes great use of light and shade in its black-and-white photography. The solid cast are complemented by the intelligent, sensation-avoiding script and Lynn's taut yet subdued direction.

Ultimately, the film offers little more than some great acting (particularly from Pleasance who has rarely been better) and doesn't dare to add too much speculation to an already controversial crime case. But, in it's own old-fashioned quaint way, it's highly watchable.

Optimum's disc offers the film uncut in a very nice anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer. The print used is clean and largely free from grain. Images are clear, sharp and bright - there are a few vertical lines at the beginning, but these soon settle down.

The English mono audio track is similarly well preserved, and does its job well.

There's no extras on the disc, which is a shame. Then again, it's difficult to expect too much for a largely forgotten film from 45 years ago.

Static menus include a scene-selection menu which allows access to the main feature via 12 chapters.

Fans of Pleasance will love this. For everyone else, it's an interesting take on a genuinely fascinating true crime case.

Review by Stu Willis