A small, sedate British village is shocked when its residents begin receiving hate-filled diatribes, known as "poison pen letters".A small, sedate British village is shocked when its residents begin receiving hate-filled diatribes, known as "poison pen letters".A small, sedate British village is shocked when its residents begin receiving hate-filled diatribes, known as "poison pen letters".
Photos
Wilfrid Hyde-White
- Postman
- (as Hyde White)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is one of about three dozen British movies picked up by CBS in 1949 for U.S. television presentation; its initial telecast took place in New York City, New York on Friday, May 13, 1949 on WCBS (Channel 2). It first aired in Baltimore, Maryland Saturday 11 June 1949 on WMAR (Channel 2), in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, August 20, 1949 on WGN (Channel 9), in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday October 5, 1949 on KLAC (Channel 13), and in Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, January 1, 1950 on WNAC (Channel 7). Although this movie had been released theatrically in the U.S. in 1941 by Republic Pictures, in an edited format, these were also the U.S. premieres of the complete, original version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Elstree Story (1952)
Featured review
A pleasant enough and very English watch
Slight but likeable, cusp of the War, b&w 'B' movie made in Elstree, almost entirely in the studio but creating a believable enough feel of that archetypal English village of the period. The warm glow of the recognisable and friendly shopkeeper, priest and neighbours. But also the claustrophobia and the restrictions as the values and values of the many that can restrict the behaviour of the few. Here all is exasperated by the vindictive actions of the writer of poison pen letters. I have no idea whether Clouzot saw this before he made his classic Le Corbeau during the ensuing War but whilst this does not have quite the same sinister undertones of the French film this is still powerful enough with what one reviewer describes as 'several disturbing incidents'. The direction and acting are solid with plenty of recognisable old favourites but Flora Robson is particularly effective and if I have never understood the appeal of Robert Newton, he is prominently billed and certainly had his fans. It is interesting to see Ann Todd holding her own amidst distinguished company and about to become a star herself. A pleasant enough and very English watch.
helpful•40
- christopher-underwood
- Feb 3, 2020
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Cartas que Matam
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 6 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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