(1963)
2
Craig Butler
Based on one of the most famous English murder cases of the Victorian era, Dr. Crippen should be a gripping, exciting little crime thriller. Instead, it is rather dull. Director Robert Lynn and writer Leigh Vance have taken a story that is full of drama, suspense, tension and mystery and created a rather dreary little film that thinks it is delving into characters and exploring questions of evil and innocence (as well as matters of social relevance, such as the death penalty). In fact, its examination of the characters is rather shallow, and it never gets much beyond the surface in its other explorations. One almost wishes it had gone for all-out exploitation of these issues, as at least that would have made for an enjoyably lurid little melodrama rather than the wan would-be drama that is on display. The cast, at least, is good, although hampered by the material and the director. In other hands, Donald Pleasance would make a fine Crippen; here, he's kept in restraints far too often and never given the chance to really create a character. Samantha Eggar does rather better with Ethel, but only Coral Browne as the shrewish wife and victim really manages to score.
Dr. Crippen on AllMovie
Dr. Crippen (1963)
