The Verdict (1946)

Interesting story, unique twist.

This is an immensely enjoyable suspense film -- one that creates layers upon layers of mystery. I was kept guessing all the way to the final moments. A knockout! Sydney Greenstreet plays a highly talented criminal investigator and prosecuting attorney. Unfortunately, he helps to convict a man who is later executed, and then found to have been innocent. As a result, Greenstreet is forced to "retire". Following this, he closely follows a murder case where a young man is killed in his own bed -- inside a locked room, no less. George Coulouris is the new investigator in charge of the case. Of course, he had been instrumental in strong-arming Greenstreet into premature "retirement". The plot then follows how Greenstreet out-thinks and out-maneuvers Coulouris at every turn. He is assisted in this through his amiable and witty companionship with Peter Lorre -- a hard-drinking artist. This makes for a crackerjack suspense thriller; one that is bound to entertain, startle, and totally engage the viewer. I completely enjoyed the heck out of it. The supporting cast is also absolutely first rate. You will see many film veterans of the wonderful Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies -- including the murder victim himself. And I must add that Lorre and Greenstreet have never been better. Lorre's performance as a slightly soused artist who draws intricate crime scenes, is both subtle and outrageously nuanced. Greenstreet, as usual, commands the screen. He is brilliant, humorous, and thoroughly charismatic. Even the landlady of the murder victim is sensational. You just can't go wrong with this cast. Don Siegel's direction, from early in his career, is assured, stylish, and sparkling. He is totally in control. The sets, production design, and editing are all excellent. And the lighting and photography, with powerful noir overtones, are moody, rich, and add immeasurably to the suspense and gothic atmosphere of the film. This is a first class piece of filmmaking, all round. I honestly did not predict the ending; the surprise was a real stunner. And the explanation of the "locked room" mystery took my breath away. I highly recommend this exciting firecracker of a film. I'm willing to bet that you will be tantalized and thrilled in equal measure.

A most excellent story with the great Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre in a Scotland-Yard murder mystery involving doubts about the jury system, police investigations, and vigilantism!5-stars all the way!

Nope, not Paul Newman in this movie.... but if you like film noir, watch Mr. Greenstreet redeem himself and serve justice on a hidden malefactor.

This is one, as All the Lorre/Greenstreet movies, that Every Noir lover HAS To Have in their collection!!

Well done with. A fabulous cast

GREAT CAST!! Wonderful movie. A great who-done-it and wonderful ending. I simply love this movie

Early Don Siegel movie w Brit seasoning. Another pairing of Greenstreet and Lorre. An English drawing room mystery, representative of the period but very well written and will appeal even to contempo audiences. Surprising storyline twists in store. Sophisticated "upper class" dialogue keeps things rolling but in my view it never got tedious or boring. Hard to find movie, not readily available on streaming services, etc. I had to buy the dvd but it was worth it.

A classic detective story, with the great Sydney Greenstreet -- this time in the main role. Note that it was Don Segal very first directorial debut. Also starring Peter Lorre.

Der erste Film des Regisseurs Don Siegel. Mit zwei großen alten Recken der Hollywood-Maschinerie: Sidney Greenstreet und Peter Lorre. Wo die beiden mitspielen, wird die Handlung fast schon zweitrangig. Dennoch ist hier ein durchaus spannender Krimi-Streifen entstanden, den ich mich sicher gerne noch häufiger ansehen werde. Sehr empfehlenswert für alle, die nostalgische Krimiatmosphäre mögen.

Une curiosité.

Questo è il primo lungometraggio diretto dal grande Don Siegel. La Seconda Guerra Mondiale è appena finita e, per cercare di tornare alla normalità il più presto possibile, si adatta per il grande schermo il romanzo giallo “Il grande mistero di Bow”, scritto dall’inglese Israel Zangwill nel 1890. Ma tutta la pellicola, anche se parla di eventi consumatisi nel secolo precedente, è impregnata di un grave e opprimente senso di colpa. Chi è giustiziato, ma anche chi giustizia, non è senza peccato e così, proprio come alla fine di una guerra devastante e sanguinaria come fu quella del 1939-1945, anche alla fine de “La morte viene da Scotland Yard” nessuno trionfa davvero.Londra, 1890. Il Sovrintendente di Scotland Yard George Edward Grodman (Sidney Greenstreet, fra i volti più rappresentativi del grande noir americano) ha condotto una difficile inchiesta per trovare l’assassino della ricca signora Constant, uccisa barbaramente nella sua casa. I pochi indizi hanno portato a un manovale indigente, che non è riuscito a fornire un vero alibi. Poche ore dopo l’esecuzione dell’uomo nel carcere di New Gate, a Scotland Yard arrivano le prove indiscutibili della sua innocenza. Grodman viene sollevato dal suo incarico e al suo posto viene nominato John R. Buckley (Georges Coulouris), da sempre suo antagonista. Grodman si ritira a vita privata. Proprio davanti alla sua abitazione però vive Arthur Kendall, nipote della Costant e suo unico erede. La notte in cui anche questo verrà trovato pugnalato nella sua stanza chiusa dall’interno, per Buckley inizieranno i veri problemi…Bellissimo esempio di noir in costume e d’atmosfera. Se il romanzo di Zangwill fu fra quelli che di fatto crearono – dopo gli scritti del grande Edgar Allan Poe – il genere cosiddetto del mistero della camera chiusa, ovvero di un enigma poliziesco apparentemente irrisolvibile, il film del maestro Siegel invece punta più sui caratteri e sui sentimenti, ovviamente anche quelli più bassi e miseri, dei suoi protagonisti.

Classic Greenstreet and Lorre! Also, Don Siegel's first film. Definitely of historic significance.