The Naked Edge (1961)

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Max Ehrlich (writer)
Joseph Stefano (writer)

Release Date:

May 1961 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

Only the man who wrote PSYCHO could jolt you like this!

Plot:

George Radcliffe's testimony sends Donald Heath to prison for murder and the theft of over 60,000 pounds...

Plot Keywords:

Alcoholic | Murder | Blackmail | Stalker | Courtroom

Cast

Gary Cooper	...	George Radcliffe
Deborah Kerr	...	Martha Radcliffe
Eric Portman	...	Jeremy Clay
Diane Cilento	...	Mrs. Heath
Hermione Gingold	...	Lilly Harris
Peter Cushing	...	Mr. Wrack
Michael Wilding	...	Morris Brooke
Ronald Howard	...	Mr. Claridge
Ray McAnally	...	Donald Heath
Sandor Elès	...	Manfridi St John
Wilfrid Lawson	...	Mr. Pom
Helen Cherry	...	Miss Osborne
Joyce Carey	...	Victoria Hicks
Diane Clare	...	Betty
Frederick Leister	...	Judge

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Baroda

Trivia:

Gary Cooper's cancer was at such an advanced stage that frequent breaks were required during filming for him to receive oxygen so he would be able to proceed to the next scene.

Quotes:

Martha Radcliffe: Did you have any news from him ?

Unbelievable, but enjoyable

The last film of Gary Cooper is an enjoyable thriller-drama. It's not great cinema, but I was surprised by the pace of it. With most of those "old" films, I have trouble to sit them through. But this one kept my attention from beginning to end.

The story is about a man(Cooper) who's a witness to a murder and thanks to whose testimony the killer is locked away. But did this guy really commit the murder? Years later, Cooper's wife(Kerr) starts to suspect her husband. Slowly, everything begins to point in HIS direction. Is she still safe with the man she loves? Will he kill her(too)?

As I said, this film is very entertaining. The story however has some major holes in it and the ending is a bit of a let-down. You'll have to see what you make of this film with the ending in mind. This could have been done much better. Cooper is very good in his last role as the husband, but Kerr was less convincing as his wife. There are also some rather colourful, but sometimes annoying supporting roles. I can recommend it, as long as you don't expect to much of it. But if you don't like old films, this is a good movie to help you with that. The filming is very up-to-date. 6/10