For Them That Trespass (1949) User Reviews

Deliver Them From Evil

[bnwfilmbuff · 8/10 · 15 April 2017]

This is another expertly directed film noir by Cavalcanti to go along with the somewhat darker "I Became a Criminal". This has a more complex storyline. An aspiring young writer goes slumming to broaden his experiences and becomes smitten with a bar floozy, who's carrying on with a couple of other guys. After a narrow escape from one of these lovers at her apartment the night before, he reads in the morning paper that she's been murdered but does nothing when he learns that the wrong man has been accused. The acting is uniformly good and a number of odd camera angles add to the tension in the movie. I liked the way the movie seamlessly transitions its focus from Stephen Murray, the writer, to Rosalyn Boulter, the murdered woman, to Richard Todd, the accused murderer. A negative point was that the courtroom scenes were shallow and lacked any defense for the accused. As a point of social commentary I couldn't help but feel how little we've progressed in helping those that have done their time assimilate back into society with decent jobs: the same barriers exist today as depicted in the movie. This is well done with a satisfying conclusion. Recommended.

Do not forgive them that trespass

[AAdaSC · 7/10 · 21 July 2013]

Upper class Stephen Murray (Christy) dreams of one day becoming a great author. To this end, he throws himself out of his comfort zone in order to gain a few life experiences. He frequents working class pubs and hooks up with hooker Rosalyn Boulter (Frankie). When she turns up dead, he decides to keep quiet and see how things pan out despite knowing that the man accused, petty criminal Richard Todd (Herb) is innocent. Todd seeks out the truth.

This film starts out as Murray's story but after a while you realize that the focus is actually on Richard Todd's character. There are a few stupid accents thrown into the mix and a sometimes unintelligible James Hayter (Jocko) as a Scottish criminal, but the story carries you along and has you rooting for Todd even if his acting is sometimes a bit OTT. He looks like a young Marlon Brando in several scenes.

There are good scenes that keep you guessing as to how Todd will finally get the justice that he deserves, but it is a shame that he is given an annoying girlfriend in the guise of Patricia Plunkett (Rosie) - pity she wasn't murdered instead. It's another enjoyable UK film with interesting sets and a nice period feel to rank alongside 6 others that I have seen from the same year, 1949 - "Silent Dust" also starring Stephen Murray, "The Interrupted Journey" also starring Richard Todd, "Obsession", "The Queen Of Spades", "Man On The Run" and "Forbidden". There are a further 2 UK films from this year that I have lined up ready to watch - "The Spider and The Fly" and "The Third Man" - a good year for British film output. My wife also likes "The Rocking Horse Winner" from this year but I don't rate it as highly as the others mentioned.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. Well, sometimes....

Regional accent mix up

[howardmorley · 6/10 · 17 December 2016]

Casting directors in the late forties unfortunately did not have the services of working class actors like Terence Stamp & Michael Caine to draw on but had to rely on graduates of various drama academies who had drilled out of them the various regional accents from the characters who appeared in their films.The upshot of this was that when the parts demanded realistic working class voices there was not the pool of actors to draw on who had been schooled with received BBC pronunciation which was prevalent at the time.Richard Todd appeared to have a cross between a Scottish and Irish accent while James Hayter's Glaswegian accent was unintelligible.Had this film been produced in the mid 60s the producer could have drawn on more realistic characterisations.

That said I enjoyed today seeing this film for the first time on Youtube.com.I especially liked Richard Todd playing Guy Gibson in "The Dam Busters" (1954) and "the Hasty Heart"(1949) with Ronald Reagan.The other reviewers have adequately summarised the plot of the subject film which I rated 6/10.I also liked the fruity voice of Valentine Diall who acted on stage (Son of Oblamov) & t.v. with the late Spike Milligan.

post war film noir UK deserving minor classic status

[seglora · 11 February 2016]

The Brazilian born director Cavalcanti started his film career with mostly documentary film before the World War11 .He worked mainly in France and the UK, and had a part also as a sound engineer, in one of the most famous British documentary film ever "Night Mail" (1936). After the war, Cavalcanti was active as a director first in the UK until the beginning of the fifties and then mainly active in France. During his stay in the UK he directed some famous films like two segments in "Dead of the Night"(1945) and "Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" (1947). "For them that trespass" (1949) is an interesting crime drama in Edwardian times . The photography in black white is excellent and gives the feeling almost of an expressionist film in the mould of the early German cinema. The later famous director J Lee-Thompson was involved as a script writer. The scenes involving the railway workers and their work is sometime reminiscent of Renoir's "La Bete Humaine" (1938). The story is about an ambitious young writer from the wealthy suburbs wanting to experience the true raw life in the lower depths on the "wrong side " of the road. However, the film quickly transform itself into a crime drama with revenge. Richard Todd is the petty thief wrongly accused of murder and becomes actually the main role in the film. Todd has perhaps some forced Scottish accent but many of the scenes from the lower depths has a genuine feeling. As usual for British film from this time period, the minor characters are excellent. Frederick Leister plays the Vicar, which has only a few minutes role but during that time he encapsulates completely the role of a laid back, eccentric clergy man full with understatements. Another extra ordinary minor role is the Mad Artist played by George Hayes. It is difficult to play insane roles convincingly and they are often prone to exaggeration. However, Hayes has found the right balance and his facial expression and eyes are very compatible to a delusionary mind. It is strange that this film is not more well known. It is very entertaining and interesting to watch to the finish. This together with a beautiful photography, fine acting and an interesting plot, makes this, in my mind, a minor British classic film after the war. "For them that trespass" (1949) is deserved to compete for our interest with much more common film titles during this period.

For Them That Trespass

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 4 January 2023]

Stephen Murray is the aspiring writer "Christy" who decides that he needs to leave his cosseted life with his family, and get some experience of real life. To that end, he starts frequenting working men's pubs where he alights on "Frankie" (Rosalyn Boulter). She's quite a lively girl, with plenty of other "men friends" including "Herb" (Richard Todd) and "Jim" (Michael Laurence), the latter gent doesn't take kindly to her sharing her attentions around. On one evening, when he arrives at her flat only to find an escaping man scarpering down the back alley, things turn tragic and "Herb" is soon stitched up for the crime. We know who the real perpetrator is, and we know that "Christy" also knows, but he chooses to watch events unfold for "creative purposes"! Spool on fifteen years and "Herb" is out, and looking for answers... None of the performances are really distinguishing - indeed, there are some pretty dodgy Scots accents around, but the overall consistency amongst the cast and the well paced, solid, direction from (Alberto) Cavalcanti keep this moving along quickly. There's an effective contribution from George Hayes as the "Mad Artist" who has taken over the home of the victim - a role he plays, briefly, with some skill. With a better cast, it might have been a better film - but as it is, these folks do a better than decent job.

Top Flight UK Film Noir

[gordonl56 · 9/10 · 6 June 2009]

For Them That Trespass – 1949 UK

Stephen Murray is an unsuccessful writer who decides he needs a bit of life experience. He decides to take in some of the nightlife on the wrong side of the tracks. Bars, clubs and "friendly" women are all new to Murray. He soon falls for a bit of fluff named Frankie, who is played by Rosalyn Boulter. Murray gets quite comfortable with Boulter and they spend several nights at the old horizontal mambo. While Murray enjoys the fun he knows he could never introduce Boulter to his "class" of people. Right from the start he uses a false name with Boulter. The nightly tryst goes fine till Boulter's big lug of a boyfriend returns from a rail trip. Boulter pushes Murray out the window and tells him to beat the feet. The boyfriend, Michael Laurence, is a jealous thug with a mean streak. Murray is quite happy to hit the bricks and escape. Laurence breaks in and sees the open window, which with Boulter's lack of attire tells him what he needs to know. Laurence beats Boulter to death and leaves. He crashes at another dolly's place to establish an alibi. The next morning Murray reads about the murder in the papers. The police have a suspect in mind and have issued his name and description. The suspect, Richard Todd, is a small time crook who had been seen at Boulter's place that day. What should Murray do? Murray knows Todd is innocent and that it was the Laurence who did the deed. Murray decides the best thing to do is nothing at all. The police "will" figure out they are after the wrong man. Meanwhile, Todd sees in the same paper he is wanted on the murder beef and hits the road. Todd, who was a friend of Boulter had used her flat to hide some money earlier in the day. While Todd is hiding out he meets and falls for shop girl Patricia Plunkett. The police of course are not far behind and shortly put the grab on Todd. Just as quickly he is put on trial. Todd's only alibi is that he was out of town pulling a job. Needless to say, this does not go over with the jury who quickly return a guilty verdict with a sentence of death. Todd's sentence is commuted to 15 to life and off he goes to jail. Murray who has been following the trial still does nothing for fear of what people might think. Todd spends the next 15 years swearing he was framed while Murray becomes a successful writer. Todd is released and finds Plunkett waiting for him. They get married and start a family. Problems finding work as a ex-con gives Todd plenty of reason to go looking for the real killer. Hearing one of Murray's plays on the radio he recognizes several phrases that only Boulter used. Todd hunts down Murray and accuses him of being the killer. Murray denies it but suggests he look up Boulter's boyfriend Laurence. Todd does this and soon finds himself being pushed in front of a train by Laurence. A lively exchange of blows soon results in Laurence being the one on the wrong end of the oncoming train. Laurence survives long enough to give a deathbed confession to the police. This does not clear Todd with the law though. They still want some collaboration of Laurence's story. Todd figures that there is only one way that Murray could have known about Laurence being the murderer. He had to have been a witness. Todd arranges another meeting with Murray. Murray shows and Todd asks him to step up and clear him. Murray responds that he has no intention of giving up his wealth and reputation. "Who is going to believe a convict like you!" says Murray. "I would" says a police detective as he steps out of the shadows.

This is a well-done bit of work with everyone shining. The director was Alberto Cavalcanti. "They Made me a Fugitive" is one of his films. The screenplay was by soon to become director, J. Lee Thompson. Thompson would make several good UK noir such as "The Yellow Balloon", "Weak and the Wicked", "Yield to the Night", "Murder Without Crime" and "Tiger Bay". He then moved across the pond to make "Cape Fear" with Mitchum and Peck.

Stephen Murray some might recall from the top UK noir "Silent Dust". Richard Todd made several noir such as "Interrupted Journey" and "Intent to Kill". (b/w)

Life at the bottom lifted up by its basic but overwhelming humanity

[clanciai · 10/10 · 27 November 2020]

Ernest Raymond was a priest who served in the First World War as a chaplain at the front, and after the war he started writing novels and produced many. They are of mixed quality, but some of them are exceedingly good, like "We, the Accused" and this one, which was made into an equally gripping film by the Brazilian Cavalcanti with Richard Todd in his first great part. The novel is almost Dostoyevskian in character, dealing with crime and injustice and its unsurveyable consequences, and the film sticks to its very human character, staying all the time on the level of basics of human life, society and circumstances. The actors are all perfect, and no wonder that Richard Todd later made such a distinguished career, starting like this. The cinematography is also striking in its very dark character with deep shadows and sharp photography, often with close-ups, which gives the whole feature a somewhat expressionistic trait. This is a unique classic of its kind, railway workers, shabby pubs, loose women, intimate local insights, and to top all this a crazy alcoholic painter, who actually gets the last word. In its gutter character, it is a pearl shining the more brightly for shining and rising in the gutter.

Top Class Edwardian Noir

[kidboots · 9/10 · 10 July 2019]

A tremendous film showing how changes in circumstances can make or break a man's character. Christopher Drewe (Stephen Murray) is a young playwright whose lack of spark reveals his sheltered upbringing

• he needs to experience life in the depths to make his literary mark, so starts to haunt the seedy

cafes of Soho. Going by the pseudonym "Kit Marlowe" he falls in with a free spirited slum dweller Frankie who intricately juggles her different men friends so her "regular steady" railway worker Jim Neil will be none the wiser!!

When she is found murdered a manhunt gets underway for - hot tempered Herb (Richard Todd) one of her friends, but not the one who was there at the time!! - that was "Kit Marlowe"!! Herb tries to lose himself in the labyrinth of London and meets the loving and loyal Rose (Patricia Plunkett) who even through his long imprisonment never stops her support of him. After a few hot blooded outbursts, realising that Rosa will stand by him, he begins a metamorphisis from a petty criminal to conscientious worker. Drewe, after sending a couple of anonymous letters written to try to clear Herb's name, settles down to write his play "The Area Steps" with characters and dialogue lifted right from the murdered girl - but who attending the first night would connect him? Herb does, years later, listening to the play on the radio. He finds associates and dialogue taken straight from the past.

Acting within the law Herb tracks him down but the eager and sensitive boy from the film's beginning is now a self absorbed prig who, even though the viewer waits with anticipation to see Drewe concede "yes, it was me" - it doesn't happen and you realise he has no intention of lifting a finger to help. It's very interesting to see how justice is finally done.

The film is stunning and never lets up for a moment, all filmed with Cavalcanti's unusual style. I thought I knew Stephen Murray and he played the blind (in more ways than one) father in "Silent Dust" (1949).

Very Recommended.

For Them That Trespass

[StevenKeys · 8/10 · 25 May 2023]

When a prostitute is found dead in her flat, a boyfriend burglar is wrongly convicted for her murder, evading arrest but eventually caught when police are tipped by his gullible new girlfriend. After serving 15 years, a freed Logan marries Rosie and sets out to clear his name, locating two of her regulars and likeliest suspects, one an abusive stoker (Laurence) with a crafted alibi (Hope), the other a noted dramatist with breeding who can clear the ex-con but refuses to tarnish his own sterling reputation (Murray).

Nobody depicted the warm underbelly of the English social stratum, aka, the common class, better than blacklisted Brazilian, Alberto Cavalcanti whose own salad-day foreys (1910s, 30-40s) into that songful, sometimes seedy world most certainly flavored his films. Premiering two years after his vastly under-rated Trevor Howard noir, They-Made-Me-a-Fugitive (Brennan Merrall Hope Saunders) (47), Trespass stars Richard Todd in his first credited role, the same year he received an Oscar nom for The-Hasty-Heart (49), Stephen Murray and Patricia Plunkett getting top-billed. Rather lengthy for a post-War CD (95m) with few daylight scenes, accounting for the "dreary" descriptions of casual critics, yet, this movie is entirely engaging in its compelling story (some empathy in the final conflict would've pleased), human touches and every performance, Rosalyn Boulter (Frankie "Sorry for nothing!" Ketchen) and Todd especially impressive, the latter who could've received TWO nominations at the 1950 Hollywood gala (3/4).