The Risk (1960) User Reviews

Peter Cushing and Ian Bannen

[kevinolzak · 6/10 · 21 May 2014]

1960's "The Risk" (British title "Suspect") was a lower budgeted effort from Roy and John Boulting, made in 17 days on a wager since they had three weeks of studio time booked and had finished their most recent production ahead of schedule. Leading its distinguished supporting cast is third billed Peter Cushing as Professor Sewell, heading a close knit group of research scientists whose findings on bacteria and germ warfare are ready to be published, but quickly silenced by their concerned government, afraid that enemies could use their findings against humanity. Sewell and his staff are outraged, but it's the less experienced youngsters who prove to be too impatient, endangering the entire project by allowing themselves to become pawns of a war veteran (Ian Bannen) embittered by the loss of both arms. The little known leads, Tony Britton and Virginia Maskell (a tragic suicide in 1968), are easily overshadowed by their veteran co-stars, especially Thorley Walters as security chief Prince, Sam Kydd his number one aide, and Donald Pleasence as the mysterious Bill Brown, who insists he can find a way to publish the report. On such a short shooting schedule that would do Roger Corman proud, it's the experienced players that keep the plot simmering. Between classic turns in "The Flesh and the Fiends" and "The Brides of Dracula," Peter Cushing enjoys a rare change of pace, a bespectacled, older man of reason in gray hair and mustache, tinkering with props such as a pipe and stop watch. His final speech touching upon responsibility to the law is a moving one: "you are young enough to be sure that you are right, I am old enough to be sure of only one thing, that I can be wrong."

Unusual film from the Boultings

[malcolmgsw · 7/10 · 14 September 2014]

This is a film that was made by the Boultings at about the time they were preparing I'm Alright Jack.It contains some pretty odd characters.Virginia Maskell who was engaged to amputee Ian Bannen but is still living with him.Bannen himself playing the amputee who for some reason has to have most things done for him despite the fact that even in the sixties prosthetic limbs were available.There is also the secret service portrayed by Nigel Stock as bumbling but effective.At the time this film was made the country was getting over the shock of the defections to Russia and the errors made by the secret service.Donald Pleasance is effective as the seedy go between.Peter Cushing also stands out as the head of the department,whilst Tony Britton makes the best of a rather thankless role.A very interest and almost unknown film.

Adequate UK TV-style Low-Budgeter

[BJJManchester · 6/10 · 3 May 2006]

A decently made,fairly entertaining attempt to make a mini-budget suspense spy thriller with a very familiar British cast;the supporting players are actually more characterful than leads Tony Britton and Virginia Maskell;Ian Bannen was usually cast in intense roles and he does a fine job here as a tortured and tragic soul disabled by circumstance,and there's reliable support from such British stalwarts as Donald Pleasence,Thorley Walters,Raymond Huntley and Kenneth Griffith.The quirkiest performance though comes from legendary comic genius Spike Milligan as an Irish caretaker;his scenes of comic relief work quite well,though there isn't enough of them.

The limitations of production sometimes work against the film,as does a fairly routine and unremarkable plot,but some neat touches by the Boultings,as well as the above performers,make SUSPECT a perfectly watchable effort.

Worth watching for Thorley Walters but don't expect a masterpiece

[ramlmmjem · 6/10 · 25 June 2020]

This little movie shows it origins as a filler for the Boulting Brothers who found themselves with 17 days of studio time on their hands (thanks Kevinolzak's earlier review for that snippet!). I watched it for the cast. Spike Milligan in a very strange role as the janitor/security man and Sam Kydd in a less unusual role as a police/MI5 operative. Think kitchen sink drama meets black and white John Le Carre adaptations meets scientific dilemma. Thorley Walters is the stand-out here as the slightly eccentric MI5 investigator piecing the puzzle together. Oh, and the movie also helps explain why there are fewer women than men in the STEM scientific fields. A period piece but worth an hour and a half of your time. To prepare for it, get in a pot of tea or a couple of bottles of warm and weak beer, some cigarettes or a pipe, and make sure to you wear a cardigan and/or a tweed jacket. Lots of fun if watched in the correct way!

Slight story, great cast

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 7 April 2020]

SUSPECT is a slight suspense thriller from the Boulting brothers, by all accounts made on a bet in just three weeks after a studio became spare when another film finished early. The story is about the dedicated scientists at a research lab who struggle with a moral dilemma when the government forbids the release of their work for the good of mankind. Some dodgy peripheral characters show up and throw the whole thing up in the air.

It's a cheap studio-bound little picture full of dialogue and much inaction, but it also has enough depth to be worth a watch. Plus, a fine little cast is always worth tuning in for alone. There's Peter Cushing in a rare non-Hammer role from the period; Ian Bannen standing out as a mixed-up guy missing both arms (!); Raymond Huntley as a bigwig; Thorley Walters and Sam Kydd as the comedy relief cops; Kenneth Griffith as a supporting scientist; Spike Milligan supplying surreal laughs; finally, Donald Pleasence as his usual sinister type. If that doesn't whet your appetite, nothing will.

Better than others have made out

[lucyrfisher · 8/10 · 5 August 2021]

I found the story compelling rather than slight. Spike Milligan is not too bad in a straightish role, tho sometimes he seems to be in a different movie.

"Philips has got hold of Arthur's cap!" "Oh no, and he's supposed to be on a diet!"

Philips turns out to be an experimental chimpanzee - much hilarity.

The cast is great - Cushing as the frustrated scientist, Raymond Huntley superb as usual as the minister. Donald Pleasance as the friendly local in the pub who claims to be "in the publishing business".

Ian Bannen is almost too convincing as the armless veteran - his scenes are painful to watch.

Thorley Walters is always welcome, though I long to file the contents of his desk. "Bill Brown... we don't like him, do we?" His shabby office is apparently in a garage with something like VACUUM COMPRESSORS on the marquee.

Well worth your time.

RISK for the viewer, I took mine

[searchanddestroy-1 · 13 September 2023]

I tried it because it was in my gigantic library and I did not remember it at all. And the cast seemed interesting to me too. Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasance, Ian Bannen.... But what a deception, at least for myself. Now, I totally respect that some viewers appreciated this John Boulting's movie. But it is not that a suspense provider, it is rather so talkative, as so many UK thrillers of this period. And 84 minutes is too long for such a plot. One hour would have been far enough. That said, it remains a rare film, hard to find, but that is not enough to make it worth watching if you search something awesome to waste time.