The Case of Charles Peace
1949 British film by Norman Lee
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The Case of Charles Peace (also known as The Trials of Charley Peace and Trials of Charles Peace) is a 1949 British crime film directed by Norman Lee and starring Michael Martin Harvey, Chili Bouchier and Valentine Dyall.[1] The screenplay was by Lee and Doris Davison, based on the real-life Victorian murderer Charles Peace.[2]
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| The Case of Charles Peace | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Norman Lee |
| Screenplay by | Norman Lee Doris Davison |
| Produced by | John Argyle |
| Starring | Michael Martin-Harvey Chili Bouchier Valentine Dyall Bruce Belfrage Ronald Adam |
| Cinematography | Exterior photography: Ted Wooldridge Moray Grant Jim Goding |
| Edited by | Charles Beaumont |
| Music by | Composed & arranged by: Guy Jones |
Production company | Argyle British Productions |
| Distributed by | Monarch Film Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
The story of the nineteenth century burglar and murderer Charles Peace is told in flashback in a lecture by Sir Clement Barnes KC at Hendon Police College: Peace's murder of Arthur Dyson, his subsequent false identities, his career as a burglar, and his shooting of a policeman. For these crimes he is eventually arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by hanging.
Cast
- Michael Martin Harvey as Charles Peace
- Chili Bouchier as Katherine Dyson
- Valentine Dyall as Storyteller Sir Clement Barnes KC
- Bruce Belfrage as prosecution counsel Foster
- Ronald Adam as defence counsel Lockwood
- Roberta Huby as Sue Thompson
- Peter Forbes-Robertson as William Habron
- Kathleen Rooney as Mary
- Richard Shayne as Arthur Dyson
- Jean Shepeard as Hannah Peace
- John Kelly as Father O'Brien
- Peter Gawthorne as Mr. Justice Lopes
- Hamilton Deane as Mr. Justice Hawkins
- Robert McLachlan as Mr. Justice Lindley
- Gordon Court as Inspector Phillips
- Bartlett Mullins as Mr. Brion
- Rose Howlett as Mrs. Brion
- Liam Gaffney as Leresche
- Howard Douglas as Littlewood
- Edward Evans as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Apart from too many flashbacks within flashbacks, which are apt to confuse, this is a well-made, interesting and wholly absorbing film of an authentic story based on records of British justice. Much of the films success is due to Michael Martin-Harvey's brilliant characterisation of the eccentric, Jekyll and Hyde-like Peace. Chili Bouchier makes a successful come-back as Katherine, and heads an adequate supporting cast."[3]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Michael Martin-Harvey, mincing and menacing in turn, does a sound acting job as Charlie Peace. Chili Bouchier, Jean Shepeard and Roberta Huby are slightly less effective as Mrs. Dyson, Mrs. Peace and Sue Thompson, respectively."[4]
Picture Show wrote: "Thoroughly entertaining within its modest limits is this reconstruction of the amazing career of Charles Peace ... Michael Martin-Harvey gives a compelling performance as the sinister little man."[5]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Good central performance holds the attention."[6]