Inquest (1939)
A taut British courtroom mystery in which a woman fights to clear her name of a murder charge with the help of a tenacious lawyer.
Inquest - Movie Information
- Original Title: Inquest
- Release Year: 1939
- Directed by: Roy Boulting
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Mystery
- Runtime: 1h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 1, 1939 (United Kingdom)
- Production Companies: Charter Film Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Inquest - Plot
A woman is suspected of killing her husband after a revolver is found in her attic. A coroner is determined to prove that she did it, but thanks to the assistance of a quick-witted lawyer she is eventually found innocent.
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Inquest - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Roy Boulting
Main Cast
- Elizabeth Allan
- Herbert Lomas
- Hay Petrie
- Barbara Everest
- Olive Sloane
- Philip Friend
- Harold Anstruther
- Malcolm Morley
- Jean Shepherd
- Charles Stephenson
Writers
- Francis Trevelyan Miller
Inquest - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Inquest?
Inquest stars Elizabeth Allan as the accused Margaret Hamilton, Herbert Lomas as Thomas Knight, and Hay Petrie as Stephen Neale. The supporting cast includes Barbara Everest, Olive Sloane, Philip Friend, Harold Anstruther, Malcolm Morley, Jean Shepherd, and Charles Stephenson.
What is Inquest (1939) about?
Inquest follows a woman suspected of murdering her husband after a revolver is discovered in her attic. A determined coroner sets out to prove her guilt, but a quick-witted lawyer mounts a spirited defence, ultimately securing her acquittal in a tense courtroom drama.
Who directed the 1939 film Inquest?
Inquest was directed by Roy Boulting, who also served as the film's editor. Boulting would go on to become one of Britain's most celebrated filmmakers, known alongside his twin brother John Boulting for a string of acclaimed British productions throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
Is Inquest based on a true story or a play?
Inquest is an adaptation of a stage play by Michael Barringer. The screenplay was written by Francis Trevelyan Miller. While not based on a specific true crime case, the story draws on the conventions of British courtroom drama and the procedural tensions of coroner's inquest proceedings.
When was Inquest released?
Inquest was released on December 1, 1939, in the United Kingdom. The film was produced by Charter Film Productions and represents one of Roy Boulting's early directorial efforts, made at the very outset of the Second World War.
How long is the 1939 film Inquest?
Inquest has a runtime of 60 minutes, making it a compact and efficiently told crime mystery. The tight running time keeps the courtroom tension focused and the narrative momentum brisk throughout the film.
What genre is the 1939 film Inquest?
Inquest belongs to the Crime and Mystery genres. It is a British courtroom drama centred on a murder accusation, blending procedural intrigue with character-driven suspense. The film is representative of the tightly plotted British quota quickies and crime pictures popular in the late 1930s.
What are films similar to Inquest (1939)?
Viewers who enjoy Inquest may appreciate other classic British crime dramas and courtroom mysteries of the era. Editorial recommendations include The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976), The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979), and Life Is Sweet (1990), among other titles with similarly gripping dramatic tension.
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