The Offence (1973)
Sidney Lumet's harrowing psychological crime drama starring Sean Connery as a detective destroyed by two decades of darkness.
The Offence - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Offence
- Release Year: 1973
- Directed by: Sidney Lumet
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 11, 1973 (United Kingdom - 15), May 11, 1973 (United States - R), March 30, 1973 (Germany - 16), September 12, 2007 (France)
- Alternative Titles: A támadás (HU), Something Like the Truth (UK), La ofensa (ES), Het Vergrijp (NL)
- Production Companies: Tantallon
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The Offence - Plot
A burned-out British police detective finally snaps while interrogating a suspected child molester.
The Offence - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits in this intense psychological drama:
After 20 years, what detective-sergeant Johnson has seen and done is destroying him.
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The Offence - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sidney Lumet
Main Cast
- Sean Connery
- Trevor Howard
- Vivien Merchant
- Ian Bannen
- Peter Bowles
- Derek Newark
- Ronald Radd
- John Hallam
- Anthony Sagar
- Maxine Gordon
Writers
- John Hopkins
Producers
- Denis O'Dell
The Offence - FAQs
What is The Offence about?
The Offence follows Detective Sergeant Johnson, a veteran British cop played by Sean Connery, whose two decades of witnessing violence and depravity have pushed him to the breaking point. When he interrogates a suspected child molester, the encounter forces a terrifying reckoning with the darkness he has long suppressed within himself.
Does Sean Connery play against type in The Offence?
Absolutely. Connery deliberately chose this role to break from his James Bond image, delivering one of the most raw and unsettling performances of his career. Johnson is volatile, morally compromised, and deeply troubled — a far cry from the suave spy, and widely considered Connery's finest dramatic work.
Where can you stream The Offence right now?
You can stream The Offence on fuboTV, MGM Plus, Philo, Tubi TV, and Fawesome. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home — so there are plenty of ways to catch this overlooked gem.
What makes the interrogation scene so disturbing?
The film's central interrogation between Connery and Ian Bannen is a masterclass in psychological tension. As Johnson presses suspect Kenneth Baxter, the power dynamic shifts in deeply unsettling ways, blurring the line between hunter and hunted. Sidney Lumet directs it as a brutal two-hander that exposes both men's hidden guilt and shame.
Who directed The Offence and what is his style?
Sidney Lumet directed The Offence, bringing the same unflinching intensity he applied to 12 Angry Men and Serpico. Known for stripping away glamour to expose raw human truth, Lumet uses claustrophobic spaces and relentless close-ups to trap the viewer inside Johnson's disintegrating psyche.
Is The Offence based on a true story or a play?
The Offence is adapted from John Hopkins' 1969 stage play This Story of Yours, which Hopkins also adapted for the screen. While not based on a specific true crime, the story draws on the psychological toll of police work, giving it a grim authenticity that resonates well beyond fiction.
How was The Offence received by critics?
The Offence was largely overlooked on release but has since earned a devoted critical reputation. Reviewers consistently praise Connery's performance as career-defining and Lumet's direction as bracingly austere. It's now regarded as a neglected masterpiece of 1970s British cinema and a landmark in psychological crime drama.
What is the age rating for The Offence?
The Offence is rated R in the United States. The film deals with deeply disturbing themes — including child abuse, police brutality, and psychological breakdown — making it strictly adult viewing. It's an intense, uncompromising drama that earns its rating through psychological weight rather than graphic content.
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