The Sleeping Tiger – 1954 | 89 mins | Drama, Thriller | B&W

Plot Synopsis

In Joseph Losey‘s The Sleeping Tiger, his first British film, Losey probes away at emotions (lust, sexual jealousy) few British directors of the time would go near. Because of the Hollywood blacklist his name isn’t on the credits – the director is given as Victor Hanbury.

A psychiatrist, Clive Esmond (Alexander Knox), catches young gunman Frank Clements (Dirk Bogarde) breaking into his house, rather than send him to prison he invites the delinquent to stay at his home as a social guinea pig – Esmond believes he can curb the fugitives criminal tendencies. Esmond’s wife Glenda (Alexis Smith) is initially unfriendly towards the handsome delinquent – but Frank begins to slowly seduce her. They make plans to run off together, and Frank plans one last robbery to fund their getaway. The scheme goes awry and the police arrests Frank, Esmond provides an alibi for Frank much to his amazement. Surprised by the doctor’s, Frank rejects his wife’s advances and suddenly he decides that he actually wants to reform. It’s easy to mock this melodrama, the dialogue is often risible, the music is over the top and the performances aren’t subtle.