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1949 British film From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For Them That Trespass is a 1949 British crime film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti and starring Richard Todd, Patricia Plunkett and Stephen Murray.[3] It is an adaptation of the 1944 novel of the same name by Ernest Raymond.[4]
| For Them That Trespass | |
|---|---|
![Thumb](#/media/File:"For_Them_That_Trespass"_(1949).jpg) UK theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Alberto Cavalcanti |
| Written by | J. Lee Thompson |
| Based on | For Them That Trespass by Ernest Raymond |
| Produced by | Victor Skutezky |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Derick Williams |
| Edited by | Margery Saunders |
| Music by | Philip Green |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Associated British-Pathé (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £150,232[1] |
| Box office | £124,978 (UK)[2] |
The film's main theme is miscarriage of justice. In the film, a professional writer witnesses a murder. He decides not to testify on behalf of an innocent man accused of the crime, wishing to protect his own reputation. The innocent man spends 15 years in prison for the murder. Once released, he tries to clear his name.
Promising writer Christopher Drew conceals his relationship with a murdered woman in order to protect his career, even though this results in an innocent man going to prison for the killing.
The upper-class Drew decides he needs some first-hand experience to invigorate his work, so he explores the seedier areas of town in search of inspiration. Much to his dismay, he witnesses a murder, but he then refuses to help an innocent man, Herbert Logan, who has been arrested for the crime, because his presence in such a neighbourhood would cause a scandal. Logan is freed after serving 15 years in jail. He hears his "crime" detailed in a radio drama written by Drew and gathers enough evidence to clear his name.[5]
It was the first film to be made at Elstree Studios since it re-opened following World War II.[6] Richard Todd was cast after a screen test. It was his first leading role. His casting was announced in July 1948. He was also signed to a seven-year contract with Associated British.[7] The film led to Todd being cast in The Hasty Heart.[8]
Kenneth More has one of his first film roles.[9]
The New York Times called it "a drab and dreary little film".[10] On the other hand, Sky Movies calls it a "gripping movie drama which has a lot of high feeling and style. ... Still impressive, though more than 40 years after."[11]
Todd called it "dreary" but it led to him being offered a long-term contract with Associated British.[12]
As of 1 April 1950 the film earned distributor's gross receipts of £71,954 in the UK of which £38,467 went to the producer.[1]
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