A well-written thriller, with an interesting premiss and a superb cast which suffers from lifeless direction by the male lead, Ralph RICHARDSON.
The thought of a successful marriage crumbling for no apparent reason should grip our emotions more readily than it does - especially given Margaret LEIGHTON's nuanced and subtle performance. But this film fails to really ignite, emotionally - unlike the original stage production in 1950. Perhaps explaining why it was RICHARDSON's only directorial credit.
I agree that Ralph Richardson's direction is uninspired but I found Margaret Leighton's character really restricted in her repressed angst. I have watched several of these British 1950s films now and am not as impressed as I once was with the stiff upper lip, which is much in evidence here. The film's premise is a bit far fetched, especially the ending, but once again forces one to realise how much of a long term effect the war had on the British population, especially the bombing campaigns. R C Sheriff wrote the story, so it has some substance. If you like British films this is definitely worth watching.