Customer Reviews

Green for Danger [VHS]

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Alastair Sim is tragically remembered today for only one role: he was without any question the definitive Ebenezer Scrooge, and usually the only film that anyone today has seen featuring Sim is his 1951 turn in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. In fact, Sim starred in a wide range of comedic and dramatic roles in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a familiar enough presence that Alec Guinness paid homage to him by doing a straightforward imitation of Sim in the 1955 film THE LADYKILLERS, evening wearing false teeth to look more like Sim.

Sim managed to play in a large number of comedic suspense and mystery films. He starred in a series of Inspector Hornleigh films in the early forties, he went on to play memorable roles in wartime mysteries such as COTTAGE TO LET (with a very young John Mills in a key role), GREEN FOR DANGER, AN INSPECTOR CALLS (in which he plays a ghostly police inspector), and THE GREEN MAN, in which Sim plays a congenial assassin. But Sim also excelled in pure farce, and was magnificent in such films as THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE, LAUGHTER IN PARADISE, and the St. Trinian movies, which he played largely in drag. Sim, with his large frame, lugubrious eyes, and marvelously dramatic voice, was a delight in every film he graced, but today is primarily known for Scrooge, as noted above.

There is actually a very good historical reason for the demise of Sim's reputation and of British cinema in general. In the fifties and sixties, French auteur criticism came more and more to dominate European and American film criticism. One of the central assumptions of auteur critics has been that British cinema, with the almost exclusive exception of pre-Hollywood Hitchcock and the workd of Michael Powell and Eric Pressburger, has been an aesthetic wasteland. As an ardent fan of forties and fifties British cinema, I know that this is an utterly false representation of what was actually happening in England. There were a number of excellent directors and a large number of superb actors and actresses who somehow or other were not siphoned off by Hollywood.

GREEN FOR DANGER is one of Sim's finest films. The plot is largely superfluous. A postman dies in an operation in WW II England, under shady circumstances, and the great Inspector Cockrill is called in to solve the mystery. The movie is entirely a showcase for Sim's eccentric histrionics. The movie sinks or swims entirely on how one responds to Sim: if you love him (as I do), you will love this movie. If you dislike Sim (I reaction that would utterly mystify me), you will dislike this film.

I strongly urge all lovers of film comedy to search this film out. I especially recommend this to lovers of British cinema. I will add that I believe this to be the best film that Alastair Sim ever made, though I would hasten to add that he made a dozen others very nearly as good. They are large hard to find these days, but searching them out will definitely repay the effort.

I was absolutely thrilled to see that "Green For Danger" is finally being released on DVD. This is without a doubt one of the very best murder mysteries ever put onto film. Everything about this film, the acting, the writing, the direction, the photography - everything is world class. And Alastair Sim as Inspector Cockrill is the icing on the cake. If I had any complaint to make against this film it would be this - Why didn't this film lead to a whole series of Inspector Cockrill films? This is a wonderful piece of entertainment and I would urge any film fan not to miss it.

I've seen the Criterion dvd of GREEN FOR DANGER and all I can say is "thank you" to Criterion for the care they lavished on it. It is, without question, the finest video presentation ever seen of this brilliant film. After years of watching dark, grainy 16mm prints on TV (and dark, grainy vhs copies and laserdiscs) it is truly wonderful to see this top-flight dvd.

The film is, of course, the penultimate British murder mystery, the best that has ever been done. Let's face it: no movie that rates an entire chapter in a book ("The Detective Film" by Everson) can be dismissed lightly. Just get the disc and enjoy it. Those reviewers who recommended you curl up on a cold and windy night with a cup of warm liquid and watch it have given you sage advice.

At last GREEN FOR DANGER's gorgeous cinematography by Wilkie Cooper can be appreciated for the thing of beauty that it is. It is not for nothing that the American Society of Cinematographers included this picture in their list of the Best Photographed Films of the 1940s. Cooper's work is quite simply marvelous and is a textbook example of how to photograph a black and white film. This beautiful dvd transfer also enables us to appreciate the fine sets by Peter Proud, an art director of enormous talent and ingenuity.

Criterion also cleaned up the soundtrack to an amazing degree. I couldn't believe it at first when I heard it. The dialog is now razor sharp and William Alwyn's music...oh, my goodness is it a nice score!

Here is one that is a must for your library. Get it and enjoy it. And if you like it (and I cannot imagine that you wouldn't) go order another wonderful Launder-Gilliat film I SEE A DARK STRANGER. Again, thanks Criterion!

While I see many here hailing Sidney Gilliat's "Green For Danger" as a long forgotten masterpiece, I'm afraid they might be setting the mark a bit high for those yet to discover this enjoyable film. Basically, this movie is a classic drawing room murder mystery--but instead of an estate, the action is centered in an isolated English hospital near the end of World War II. But all the familiar elements are in place--five suspects with secrets to hide, clandestine relationships, appropriate melodramatics, an endearingly oddball investigator, and the big finale that puts all the primary characters together for the big reveal. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed "Green For Danger" in the way I enjoyed many mystery stories from the same time period. But it's not revolutionary, it's just well executed.

The film begins with an ominous voice-over--one that portends of impending murder. We are introduced to the man who will become the first victim. Then we are briskly introduced to the staff at the hospital. There are six individuals, one we're told is a murderer and two others will die by his/her hand. It's a great start to a fun adventure. As we spend time in the hospital, the first murder is set up and executed. Suspicions abound. But when one of the six announces that they know who the killer is--it leads to dire consequences and a visit from a Scotland Yard inspector. Taking it's cue from dozens of other stories, the inspector starts working the suspects until it's time to gather them together for the shocking revelation.

What distinguishes "Green For Danger," first and foremost, is the terrific performance of Alistair Sim. His inspector breathes much charm, much humor, and much subtlety to the proceedings. As the various suspects seethe, argue, and carry on histrionically--Sim can calm things down with a sly look and a quip. It's a bravura performance that is fun and beguiling. The film looks and sounds great, with plenty of shadowy images that set the appropriate tone. And the setting is novel. Having the action take place between bombing raids adds an element of seriousness, it ups the stakes. The script is witty and sophisticated, while the mystery itself is intriguing. It may not be resolved in the most believable way, but that is somewhat common for films of this type.

By all means, check out "Green For Danger!" It's a fun lark. It's all very British, and that's definitely a compliment. But again, approaching the film with moderate expectations may increase your enjoyment of the film's smaller scope. There's nothing you haven't seen before, at least plotwise, but this traditional mystery is still worth a look. KGHarris, 04/07.

Like one of the other reviewers, I recall the chapter-long discussion of this wonderful film in THE DETECTIVE IN FILM, a great book about movie mysteries that you can and SHOULD seek out at a second hand bookstore. It made me want to see the film and read the book. I know I'm paraphrasing the above film resource somewhat when I say that, in addition to the amazing performances by Alistair Sim as Inspector Cockrill and the other members of a terrific cast of suspects, the cinematography is fantastic. I cannot wait to see a clean print, such as I have come to expect from Criterion; the only prints I've seen have been old scratchy reels of film. There are many elements of the horror film used here, and the scenes where the murderer's travels are shown from that person's point of view are especially effective. What's more, as a devout mystery lover, I have to give kudos for the screenplay's retention of the complex and effective plot. This isn't one of those many mysteries of the 30's and 40's where the least likely suspect (usually some genial friend or father figure) turns out to be the killer, or where you know the murderer's identity because of the actor who plays the part. (Did Ralph Morgan ever NOT play the killer???)

I don't know if any of you have read Christianna Brand's Inspector Cockrill mysteries, so I'd like to take this opportunity to plug her ten or so mysteries as REALLY great! GREEN FOR DANGER is perhaps the best, with a marvelous denouement (the motive for the initial killing is startlingly original.) But the others all have their charms, especially TOUR DE FORCE, where Cockrill vacations on a tropical island and FOG OF DOUBT, with one of her most effective twist endings where you kick yourself at the end for not uncovering the killer's identity. There was a pattern to Brand's mysteries. She always began by setting up her closed circle of suspects and then telling you something to the effect that "All of these are nice people, but two of them are future victims and one of them is a murderer." And then Brand spreads the suspicion around so that you come to care about all these people and hope that NONE of them is brought to justice. Fortunately, Inspector Cockrill doesn't have such a kind heart. And that is, for me, the strength of Brand's writing. Agatha Christie may be more clever in her plotting and cluing, and Dorothy Sayers may be more literate. But Brand creates characters you like and care about, and the endings always leave you feeling sad that this closed circle of friends and family will never be the same due to the violent loss of several of its members.

So to all you mystery lovers out there, read the books and see this movie! It is, in my humble opinion, one of the ten best whodunnits ever produced on film. (I feel a list coming on!!)

There's no denying "Green For Danger" is a winning, particularly witty murder mystery, a genre the Brits do markedly well. What singles this effort out more than anything else, I'd say - and in agreement with most earlier reviewers here - is the presence, odd character and extraordinary voice of Alastair Sim. His police inspector is a wonderfully sarcastic fellow yet, as a human being, oddly detached. As Leo Genn and Trevor Howard begin a serious fight, for instance, rolling about on the floor of a hospital room and possibly about to do serious damage to one another, Sim, with great delight, pulls up a chair so he can more closely watch and enjoy the violence. What an unusual detective, this! Vocally, too, it's a joy to hear his plummy, over the top savoring of every syllable he utters. His voice, like Edith Evans,' is one of the great (here preserved) treasures of English stage and screen.

Well criterion has done it again....the film looks terrific and im really glad they window boxed this so now you can view this film like it was intended...with that said the great Alister Sim as inspector cockrill and a bunch of worthy suspects that keep you guessing right till the end. If you haven't purchased this title i only have 1 thing to say....WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR????

Alistair Sim has perpetrated a crime on movie fans. He has stolen the character of Cockrill and made a classic detective film. Then he stole the character back by not making any more. Thus he has robbed the movie public from taking further pleasure in any more gems. For the former we feel lucky for the latter we hold him accountable for the crime of theft. Twenty years in the slammer. See this film and weep that they seldom make films like this any more.

It is wartime England - 1944 - and Germany is bombarding Britain with her ghastly new V2s or "doodlebugs". In a small hospital the staff go about their business stoically enough but the place is seething with romantic tension. Nurse Linley's (Sally Gray) engagement with anaesthetist Dr Barnes (Trevor Howard) looks like it may be off as she agrees to go to the hospital dance with the womanising surgeon Eden (Leo Glenn). And Eden's ex, Sister Bates (Judy Campbell), is, understandably, none too happy and out to stir up a bit of trouble. Meanwhile a doodlebug has injured the local postman and he is brought in for surgery. His injuries are minor ones so it's a bit suspicious the way he suddenly dies as the nitrous oxide is administered. Sister Bates announces that she knows it is more than suspicious: it is murder and she has found the evidence to prove it. Soon after this announcement, she too is found dead. Along comes alarming full-of-himself Inspector Cockrill (Alastair Sim) from Scotland Yard to sort everything out.

This is a beautiful old whodunit, an absolute joy from start to finish. All the performances are excellent, but as was invariably the case, as soon as Alastair Sim appears on the scene, everyone else fades into the background besides that astonishing actor's mesmerizing screen presence. Watch it on a cold dark winter night in a cosy room with a big mug of cocoa and the `phone off the hook.

This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

Green for Danger is a film set during World War 2 in England. In the film a man is wounded and later dies during surgery. It is thought that he was murdered but it cannot be proven. Later suspects are interrogated in attempt to find out what happened. The film has been compared to the work of Alfred Hitchcock and I would say it is very Hitchcockian

This film depicts rural England during the war quite well and has numerous scenes of the German V1. The film contains an interview with British film historian Geoff Brown and optional audio commentary by film scholar Bruce Eder.

I highly recommend this film