bnwfilmbuff
The first half of this movie was quite good with an intriguing plot and good characters. But the second half strained credibility. The evidences didn't fully work for me. And the ending was rushed. The acting was good. Andrew Kier was unrecognizable from his later roles as Professor Quatermass. Overall it's still an enjoyable viewing.
moriczmusic
A rather civilized little film, well-crafted and scripted in a polished but understated way, and populated with good actors. A husband in a rather morally complex situation finds himself suspected of a murder, and additional complications ensue in a well-nuanced and believable fashion. The story is told economically and intimately, with both momentum and narrative skill. While in every way a B-picture, it's a class effort, containing all the usual trappings of a British drama involving murder and "the Yard" yet managing to sidestep expected clichés or stereotypical characters. It was clearly shot inexpensively, 95% on the soundstage, and yet its occasional exteriors were well-chosen and effectively integrated to represent the characters who supposedly live within the various buildings. Indeed the entire production seems informed by intelligent choices by all concerned.Perhaps not quite "a classic," but certainly a good, solid British noir well worth a look. It's enjoyable and rather satisfying in its own modestly distinctive way. An additional and notable highlight is a young Honor Blackman at her most radiantly beautiful in a distinctively three-dimensional portrayal of the wife of the suspect.
malcolmgsw
This is an entertaining thriller but as has been mentioned in another review there are flaws in the plot.The most glaring of these is when the killer goes to see the mistress.It is rather unclear why he would do this.Was he out to kill her or was he just trying to see if anything she might say would lead to him.The film never really gets round this.then at the climax he goes away before the execution.It is not clear why he does this.It would have made more sense to wait for the following day.Also for a man trying to cause as little fuss as possible taking away more than the permitted amount of sterling was bound to lead to trouble
Snow Leopard
"Suspended Alibi" is a fairly interesting mystery with some moments of suspense, and some interesting characters, but it is pulled down by relying too heavily on implausible developments.The beginning is interesting, and creates lots of possibilities. A married editor (Patrick Holt) is having an affair with a female reporter, and has been using an old army friend as an alibi, telling his wife that he is with the friend while he really visits his girlfriend. But one night his army friend turns up murdered, and suspicion naturally rests on the editor.The story that follows has some moments of good suspense, as the editor tries to clear himself in the face of strong skepticism about his alibi. The editor's wife, his nosy neighbors, and some of his loyal employees from his publication also get involved. The main problem is that too much of what develops is based on coincidence or on other unlikely plot elements, and it keeps this from being a really good mystery. (This comment won't give away anything by mentioning specifics - if you see it, you can decide for yourself how plausible it all is.)The story still has some good moments, and many mystery/suspense fans will still find it worth watching. Once you are involved, you will probably want to stay until the end to find out what happens.
AD
