Life in Danger – 1959 | 63 mins | Drama, Thriller | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Convoluted Butchers second-feature about lynch-mob mentality in a picturesque small village featuring Derren Nesbitt in his earliest lead role.

In the small village of Charingwell, villagers are alerted every Sunday to nearby lunatic asylum Parkway’s by the test sounding a siren. On one particular Sunday, the siren test goes ahead as usual, only to be followed by a second burst later. It transpires that a patient, Alec Miller, has taken advantage of the test siren to escape. The prison’s medical superintendent Dr. Nichols eventually contacts the police and a manhunt is launched for the escaped prisoner.

Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger (Derren Nesbitt) turns up at the local pub seeking work as a farmhand. He receives a frosty welcome from the landlord and subsequently stops off at the home of young Hazel Ashley (Julie Hopkins) seeking refreshment and an opportunity to get some rest. Hazel takes a shine to the stranger and accompanies him to a nearby hayloft. Also at the barn is Hazel’s younger brother Johnny.

Back in the village, Major Peters heads an armed vigilante group of the locals seeking the escaped prisoner too. They quickly jump to the conclusion that the stranger holed up with Hazel and Johnny must be the escapee Miller, and encircle the barn, demanding ‘Miller’ give himself up.