Hostile Witness (1969) - full transcript
Ray Milland directed himself as a barrister whose daughter is killed in a "hit-and-run" accident. When his neighbor is also killed, evidence points to the barrister as a murderer.
♪♪
♪♪
Members of
the jury,
are you agreed
on your verdict?
Will the foreman
please rise?
We are agreed.
Do you find the
prisoner Julia Kelly
guilty or not guilty
on count one
of this indictment?
That is, of
unlawfully keeping
and maintaining
a brothel?
Not guilty.
[overlapping chatter]
[man]
Silence!
Silence in court!
You find her not guilty
on the indictment,
and that is the
verdict of you all.
Yes.
My Lord, I ask that
she be discharged.
Julia Kelly.
You have had
the benefit
of an exceptionally
able defense,
as a result of
which the jury,
in their wisdom, have
found you not guilty.
When you've recovered
from your surprise,
you may go.
Thank you,
your Lordship.
[overlapping chatter]
[man]
Silence in court,
silence!
Come on, darlings,
back to it.
Come on.
[man]
Silence!
[chattering dying down]
Be upstanding
in court!
Mr. Crawford.
I would like you to
come to my room.
As your
Lordship pleases.
I don't know how
the devil you do it.
Simply by telling
the truth.
You ought to
try it sometime.
[overlapping chatter]
Hello, Smithson.
Another call
for triumph.
Good afternoon,
Smithson.
My dear John, it's
an accepted fact
amongst the
criminal classes
that jurors like
his face.
I've heard it
time and again.
Have you, indeed?
Oh, Joanna!
Hello, darling.
How are you,
darling?
Fine.
Was that woman
a friend of yours?
Are you joking?
But she said--
Never mind
what she said.
I want you to
meet someone.
I don't think you've met
my daughter, Joanna.
Mr. Smithson.How do you do?
And Mr. Naylor.
Hello.
How do you do?
Well, do I detect the
sweet smell of success?
It's just that the
jury preferred
my face to
Mr. Naylor's.
No accounting
for taste.
None.
Well, I thought
she was guilty.
I know she was.
But she was
brilliantly defended.
Goodbye to
you both.
He is rather
pompous, isn't he?
Don't let him
fool you.
Well, anyway,
your face is nicer.
Thank you, darling.
Are you coming now?
No, the judge wants to
see me in his room.
Oh.
Good evening, Miss.
Oh, Charles, I shall be
going back to chambers.
Very good, sir,
good night.
Good night.Good night, Miss.
Good night, Mr. Crawford,
good night, Joanna.
Oh, Miss Larkin, would
you do something for me?
Will you
take Joanna
in that disgusting
little car of yours
to pick up some
flowers I've ordered?
She knows where
the place is,
and she can walk
home from there.
Since you put
it so nicely,
yes, of course,
come on, Joanna.
Thank you.
And charge the petrol
to petty cash.
The judge is waiting,
Mr. Crawford.
Oh, yes.
Hello, boy!
Coming in
for a drink?
No, I've got to go
into the Gregory's.
It's Phyllis'
birthday.
You seen Joanna?
No, I haven't.
Well, if you do, tell her
to come right in, will you?
Right.
[woman]
Keep smiling.
Keep blowing!
Oh, Simon,
you are a fool.
That's not all.
You mean
there's more?
A florid tribute of
fantastic proportions
has been created for you
by Christine Bly,
no less, and Joanna's
on her way with it now.
Oh, bless
you both.
I'd have brought
it myself,
only my presence was
requested backstage
by Osborne, J.
He is cross
with me again.
You shouldn't
deliberately provoke him.
Oh, but that's the
point, I don't.
Well, Ozzy, he could
have been so brilliant,
if he hadn't let his
brains go to his head.
Yes,
where's Matthew?
I have no idea.
He was supposed to meet
me at The Savoy at 5:00.
When it got to
half past,
I decided to come home
and put on the chicken.
Wise decision.
[tires screeching]
[screaming]
[car speeding away]
♪♪
[strained breathing]
I'm sorry,
daddy.
I'm so sorry.
[strained breathing]
Sh.
[deep breathing]
[breathing stops]
Mr. Crawford,
she's gone.
♪♪
The bastard
didn't stop.
Just drove
straight on.
Did the police get
his description?
An old man driving
a black car,
that's all
they've got.
Didn't even get
the bloody number.
They'll find him.
Well, they'd
better.
Because if they
don't, I will.
And if I ever
find this man,
I'll kill him.
I'll kill him.
[whistling]
[Mr. Crawford]
Why can't you find him?
Why the hell not?
[man]
But, Mr. Crawford.
Hello, there.
What's the
matter?
None of your
business.
Give me those
papers, and get on
with your letter.
Eight weeks ago,
Mr. Rosen, almost nine,
my daughter was killed by
a blundering old man
driving a car too
big for him to handle.
Not a difficult task,
one would think,
to find either.
Mr. Crawford, I--
In those
nine weeks,
the police have
found nothing.
Two other firms of
private investigators,
allegedly at the
highest standing,
have also found
nothing.
And now you, in turn,
have found nothing.
Why?
Mr. Crawford, even you,
in your profession,
don't always find the
answers come easily.
I've been here,
there, and everywhere.
I've done everything
in my--
[picture breaking]
Oh.
That was
careless of me.
I'm sorry, I--
I didn't see it.
Leave it alone!
Don't touch it.
You clumsy
bastard.
But, Mr. Crawford,
I said I'm sorry.
I didn't see it.
You didn't
see it?
You mean, you
didn't see her!
[Rosen]
Mr. Crawford, what's
the matter with you?
Charles, I think you
should go in there.
I don't know, Miss,
Mr. Crawford--
Oh, Charles,
go on!
It was you!
You killed her!
Don't!
[shouting]
[Mr. Crawford]
I'll kill you!
Mr. Crawford,
please!
I'm gonna
kill you!
Percy, grab his
other arm.
Mr. Rosen,
leave!
[Mr. Crawford]
I'm gonna kill you!
He's crazy.
Kill you!
I'm sorry,
Mr. Solmes,
He's quite unable
to appear.
[door closing]
What's happening?
Miss Larkin must apply
for an adjournment
until another leader
can be briefed.
That's all
we can do.
Would next week
give you time?
Very good,
Miss Larkin will
hold herself
available, goodbye.
What's the news?
I've been onto the
hospital again, Miss.
They say Mr. Crawford
will need complete rest
for at least
three months.
Three months?
I'm afraid he's
worse than we thought.
Now, we have very
little time, Miss,
and we must think about
what you'll be saying
to the bench.
♪♪
[sighing]
♪♪
[man]
Well, it's good
to have you back.
I'm glad to
be back.
Good morning.
Ah, good morning,
Miss Larkin, come in.
Oh, I'm sorry--
Oh, you know
each other?
Major Maitland,
Sheila Larkin.
Yes, yes,
of course.
Do we?
Yes, indeed, I should
have remembered.
Well, I'm not staying,
I'll just put these--
Oh, yes you are.
Major Maitland's
just leaving.
Yes, indeed,
well, bye bye--
May I have
my glass?
Oh, my dear friend,
of course you can.
I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
Bye bye, I'll be
seeing you.
Well, how does it
feel to be home?
Oh, wonderful.
Good.
Well, I got all the
things you asked for.
It came to two pounds
nine and sixpence.
Well, ask Charles
for the money
when you get
back to chambers.
Oh, was that
included?
No.
No, that-- that's my
own contribution.
Your contribution?
Welcome home.
I thought we could
drink to it.
Thank you.
Thank you
very much.
Oh.
Your key.
I almost
forgot.
Yes, my key.
Well, I'll, um,
be getting back
to chambers then.
Oh, Miss Larkin?
I haven't thanked you
adequately enough
for all you've done for
me the past few weeks.
Coming to
the hospital,
and what you've
done here,
and I wanted
to thank you.
Very much.
Oh, that's
all right.
Do you mind if
we save this
for some
better occasion?
You must let me know
when the time comes.
I will.
Well, goodbye.
[whistling]
Oh, sorry.
So, Mr. Crawford
didn't return
from court with
you then, Percy.
No, he'll be along
in a minute.
He just went behind
to see the judge.
He just went
behind to see the judge...?
He just went behind
to see the judge, sir.
That's better.
Remember, counsel expect
to be addressed as sir
by a young man
of your age,
and deservedly so.
Sometimes not so
deservedly,
but they
still expect it.
Yes, sir.
So, how did Mr. Crawford
do on his first day back?
Handsome, went like
a house on fire.
Might never
have been away.
That's typical.
Well, duty calls.
Oh!
Miss Larkin.
Aprez vous,
mademoiselle.
Oh, thank you,
Percy.
My pleasure, Miss.
Such politeness,
all of a sudden.
Have you been bullying
him, Charles?
One can't bully a lump
of granite, Miss Larkin.
Can I do anything
for you?
Mr. Crawford isn't
yet back from court.
Oh, yes,
yes he is.
He was parking his car
as I came in.
Do you think he's
really fit yet, Charles?
It would seem
so, Miss.
Percy implied he went
like a house on fire today.
Oh, that's what
I'm afraid of.
Well, I'll leave this
on his desk and go home.
He'll find fault with
it in any case.
Why should he
do that?
Care to bet?
Ah, there you are.
Good night,
Mr. Crawford.
Don't go, Miss Larkin,
I want a word with you.
Charles, take that,
will you?
Sit down,
Miss Larkin.
[door closing]
This the opinion?
The opinion you
asked for, yes.
Oh, and a personal
letter came for you.
Recorded delivery,
I signed for it.
It's on your desk.
Thank you.
I understand you defended
a woman named Shaw
under the Poor Prisoners
Defense Act last week.
Yes.
Which you were paid
a brief fee of 18 guineas
and two refreshes of
12 guineas each.
Yes.
Which you considered
inadequate.
Yes.
Why?
Because I was against
treasury, counsel,
and his brief was
marked at 30 guineas.
Indeed, and how'd
you know that?
I asked him.
Miss Larkin,
you've committed
a breach of etiquette,
which I'm not prepared
to tolerate in a
member of my chambers.
Now, if you wish
to remain here,
such a thing
must not occur again.
That clear?
Perfectly.
That is all.
Just a moment.
You may take
this with you.
What's wrong
with it?
Nothing,
it's quite good.
It can be typed
and sent off.
Thank you.
Good night,
Miss Larkin.
Good night.
[door closing]
♪♪
[radio]
West Bromwich Albion, 2.
Lester, 2.
That concludes our Saturday
night's sports lineup,
and we
return you now--
[radio turned off]
[sighing]
[footsteps approaching]
[unlocking door]
[doorbell ringing]
Oh, for goodness sake.
Who on Earth
can that be?
[doorbell ringing]
[car driving in distance]
[mumbling]
♪♪
[dog barking]
Ben!
Come here,
Ben, Ben!
The devil's the
matter with you?"
Ben, come
here boy!
[dog barking]
Ben, for heaven's sake.
What's the
matter with you?
Ben, what the--
Simon!
[dog whimpering]
Well, what happened?
Where's that
whiskey?
Well, hang on,
it's just coming.
It's your own fault,
you shouldn't walk about
at night, you ought
to take a cab.
Here you are.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, that's better.
Now, can you remember
what happened?
I was working
late in chambers.
I decided to
walk home.
I came back
into the Mews,
I was just going up
to my front door,
and someone hit me
on the back of the head.
Well, did you see
who it was?
I went out
like a light.
Well, I can't sit
here all night.
Better get
back to my house
and see if anything's
happened there.
All right.
Now, look here, you quite
sure you feel up to it?
Quite sure.
[clock chiming]
Good God, it's
1:30 already?
Mm-hmm.
Well, now what's
the matter?
I lost my key.
You sure it didn't fall
off when you were coshed?
No, it was on a chain
with the rest of them.
The whole thing
is gone.
Oh, well.
All right,
that settles it.
Now, come on, you're
gonna spend the night
here with me.
Supposing someone's
broken in there?
Well, we can deal with
that in the morning.
Now, the place for you
is in bed, come on.
All right.
[unlocking door]
[screaming]
♪♪
Simon!
Simon!
[banging]
Simon!
Phyllis?
Simon!
Phyllis,
I'm here.
Simon,
come quickly.
What's happened?
It's Matthew, he's--
he's been stabbed!
[crying]
♪♪
[camera flashing]
That's the last
of them, sir.
Right,
off you go.
Tell the morgue men
they can have him,
and send
fingerprints in.
Right, sir.
[door closing]
[door opening]
Oh, just pick up
those glasses.
And be
very careful.
Yes, sir.
[glasses clinking]
Simon, what are they
doing over there?
Why can't they
come and tell us?
When they want us,
they'll come.
Oh.
Here they
are now.
Simon, I'm sorry,
I really can't face
them, not just now.
Don't worry, Phyllis,
I'll get rid of them.
[doorbell ringing]
Ah, Superintendent,
come in.
Thank you, sir.
I won't keep
you a moment.
What can I
do for you?
You told me earlier your
keys were stolen, sir,
which was why you spent the
night with Major Maitland.
Yes.
Is anything missing
from your house?
No.
You've checked that,
have you, sir?
Oh, yes.
But, if you were
unable to enter
your house
last night, sir,
how did you do so
this morning,
in order to check?
Well, you see, I used
Lady Gregory's key.
Both she and Sir Matthew
have keys to my house.
And you also have
one to theirs?
Yes, but that was
stolen with the rest.
It was on the
same chain.
Oh, I see.
Right, thank
you very much, sir.
I needn't trouble
you any further.
Not at all.
[doorbell ringing]
Good evening,
Superintendent, come in.
Thank you, sir.
Let me have
your coat.
Go on.
I was just fixing
myself a drink.
Would you
join me?
Uh, no,
thank you, sir.
This is by way of being
an official visit.
Oh, please
sit down.
Thank you, sir.
What may I
do for you?
Few questions, sir.
Oh, what's the
first one?
Can you assist me at all
with a man named Armitage?
Armitage?
Never heard
of him.
But I have reason
to believe
that he's a private
investigator, sir,
employed by you,
to trace the man
who killed
your daughter.
Now, who told
you that?
He did.
I see.
Well, assuming that
to be the case,
why should
he tell you?
He thought the
circumstances
might relate in
some way to the death
of Sir Matthew Gregory.
Now, why should
he do that?
He alleges that
on Thursday last,
he sent you
a letter
telling you that
it was Sir Matthew
who had run down
your daughter.
You're not serious.
Do you deny receiving
such a letter, sir?
Of course
I deny it.
On the other hand,
I am right, am I not,
in saying that on
Friday last,
you received
at your chambers
a personal recorded
delivery letter,
the envelope of which
was typed in red.
But that was
from some crank.
It contained
blank paper.
Have you still got
that letter, sir?
Yes, I think so.
May I see it,
please?
If you like.
Here you are.
Blank paper, I think
you said, sir.
Let me
see that.
I have never seen
this before.
Do you mind if
I keep that, sir?
Very well.
Mr. Crawford, you were
recently in the hospital
for a mental
illness.
Yes.
Have you fully
recovered?
Yes, of course
I've recovered.
You appreciate I have
in my duty to do so.
Would you object to
my searching your house?
Let me say at once that
I have no warrant.
No, go ahead,
do what you like.
Also, sir,
to avoid
the necessity of your
attendance elsewhere,
will you permit me to
take your fingerprints?
And a sample of your
blood and hair?
I have the
necessary equipment
outside in the car.
Are you
arresting me?
No, sir.
Well, if you do
decide to do so,
would you mind leaving it
until tomorrow night?
I have to be back
in chambers at 5:00.
I won't be
a moment, sir.
♪♪
[knocking]
Come in, Hamish,
all of you.
Make yourselves
comfortable,
I'll be with
you in a moment.
Yes, all right,
thank you.
Goodbye.
Awfully good
of you, Hamish.
Sit down,
Miss Larkin.
Charles?
Now, I suppose
you're all wondering
why I've asked
you in here.
Well, the fact is I'm
about to be arrested.
[Hamish]
Arrested?
Arrested on
what charge?
Murder.
Simon, are you
serious about this?
Perfectly.
And who do they say
you've murdered,
for heaven's sake?
Mr. Justice Gregory.
Oh my God.
Now, let me say
here and now,
I did not kill him.
Well, I accept that,
but the charge
still has
to be answered.
Of course.And what is
your answer?
I was never in the
Gregory's house that night.
And how do you account for
any evidence against you?
Someone is gunning
for me, Hamish.
I was
deliberately framed.
Are you able to
support that?
No, not yet.
Charles?
You'd any luck with
those courtroom
shorthand writers yet?
Not yet, sir,
I'm afraid.
Most of the older
men have retired.
Well, keep after
it, will you?
It's most important.
Yes, sir.
[Hamish]
I take it you can
support your claim
that you were never in the
Gregory's house that night.
Within the
time limits
of the medical
evidence, yes.
But only within
those limits?
That's the only time
that matters, surely.
What are the limits?
Well, the pathologist
says he died
between 1:00
and 2:00 A.M.
And where were you
at that time?
I was lying
unconscious on a settee
in Hugh Maitland's
house.
[knocking]
Come in.
Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
Important phone call
for Miss Larkin.
I've put it through
to your room, Miss.
Thank you, Percy.
Will you excuse me,
Mr. Crawford?
Yes, of course.
Simon, I suppose--
Just a moment,
Hamish.
Hamish, I want you
to do me a favor.
Well, if I'm able.
Sheila Larkin,
you may have wondered
why I had
her in.
I'd like her to
appear for me.
Oh, Simon,
for God's sake!
I know, I know.
You can get any
leader you like.
But I don't
want them.
Now, you and I can fix
this thing up together,
and the girl will do
as she's told.
It's better that way.
Now, what do
you say?
Would it
embarrass you
if I had a word
with her first
before saying
either yes or no?
Embarrass me?
Good God, no.
Anyway, I have a lot to
go over with Charles.
I'll send her
in to you.
Let me know
what you decide.
Come along,
Charles.
[door closing]
[knocking]
Ah, Miss Larkin.
Mr. Crawford said
you wanted to see me.
That's right,
please come in.
Won't you sit down?
Cigarette?
Oh, thank you.
How long have
you been a member
of Mr. Crawford's
chambers?
Four years.
Long enough to know
some of the answers.
Very few,
it seems.
Why do you
say that?
I don't think
Mr. Crawford
has a very
high opinion of me.
And what's your opinion
of Mr. Crawford?
Now, it's in his interest
that I should know,
so please
be frank.
Well, as an advocate,
I don't think
there's anyone at
the bar to touch him.
I agree.
And as a
lawyer?
I think he tends to
be too impulsive.
To be at his
best, he needs
a good solicitor
behind him.
I agree again.
And as a man?
You really want
me to be frank?
Please.
I think he's intolerant
and a bully.
He has an
immense conceit,
and because of it, he's
supremely self-sufficient.
I think he's
ambitious.
And as far as his
ambition's concerned,
quite ruthless.
Ruthless enough
to commit murder?
Surely, you're
not suggesting--
Miss Larkin, the
police aren't fools.
They aren't going to charge
a man of his standing
without being sure
of their ground.
So, do you believe
him or don't you?
Whether I believe
him or not
is beside the
point, surely.
If, when I know the facts,
I find I can believe him,
well and good.
If not, we simply
defy the crown
to prove their case,
or plead diminished
responsibility.
Now, look here.
Miss Larkin, what is
he frightened of?
Why this
constant euphemism
that since Joanna died,
he became ill?
What he had was a
complete mental breakdown.
Why not admit it?
I'm sorry, twas
later than I thought.
This is Major Maitland.
My solicitor,
Mr. Gillespie.
Oh, how do you do?
Of course, you know
Miss Larkin.
Yes, indeed.Who I hope
will be appearing for
me at the trial.
I-- I would--Yes, she will.
Good, now
don't argue.
Just do as
you're told,
and try not to
let me down.
You, sit down.
Thank you
so much.
Well, Miss Larkin,
this is your show.
Please,
Mr. Crawford--
Miss Larkin, Major
Maitland is waiting.
Very well.
Major Maitland.
You realize, do you not,
the extreme seriousness
of Mr. Crawford's
position?
Oh, yes,
of course.
And your own
responsibility?
My responsibility?
Yes, well, you see,
his only answer
at the moment is an
alibi based on the fact
that at the time of
the judge's death,
he was with you.
Oh, yes, well
that, of course
is perfectly true,
he was.
Between what times?
No, no, no, no.
No, he spent the night
in my house, you see.
He'd been attacked,
and I found him,
and brought him in.
But at
what time?
Oh, half past 12,
quarter to 1?
You're quite sure
about that?
Oh, yes,
quite sure.
Why did you make a
special note of the time?
Well, I--
I didn't.
Then, how can you be so
sure what time it was?
Well, it must have been
about then, you see.
Why?
Why?
Yes, why?
[laughing]
Oh, I see what you mean.
Well, I had given a small
dinner party that evening.
I cleared up after
my guests.
I have no
resident staff,
just a daily woman
who-- who comes in.
And then I took my dog
out for a walk,
and I found
Simon lying there.
I really don't know
why you're adopting
this tone
with me, madam.
After all, I'm merely
trying to help.
Major Maitland, I'm
adopting this tone with you
because it is
precisely this tone
that will be adopted
by the other side,
when they come to test
the strength of an alibi
which is supported by
only one man,
who happens also
to be a close friend.
[Maitland]
Oh, yes, yes,
I beg your pardon.
I do quite see that,
of course, yes.
[laughing]
How frightfully
clever of you.
So, will you please
try to remember?
Did you actually
look at the time
when you brought
him into your house?
[sighing]
Please, Major Maitland.
Yes, yes, yes.
Crawford remarked on
the time later, yes.
When?
What?
When?
Oh, when.
[laughing]
When he recovered
and went to go home,
he made some remark,
like, "Good Lord,
is it 1:30 already?"
You know, something
like that.
Time I was
going.
And did you look
at the time then?
Oh, yes, I think
I must have done.
Quite sure
about that?
Well, I mean it's
human nature, isn't it,
When anybody makes
a remark like that.
I mean, it's automatic
to look.
A little reflex
action, isn't it?
[laughing]
Yes.
Major Maitland,
reflex action or not,
are you able
to swear
that you looked at
the clock, and you saw
the hands pointing to
half past 1:00?
Please, Major Maitland,
yes or no?
Yes, I did.
You are quite
sure about that?
Well, uh, isn't that what
you want me to say?
Major Maitland, I don't
want you to say anything
that is not the
absolute truth.
Yes, well, that
is the truth.
Yes, I-- I
remember now.
He was anxious about
recalling the time,
and I was able
to reassure him.
[sighing]
Thank you,
Major Maitland.
Mr. Gillespie will be
getting in touch with you.
Yes, of course.
Well, naturally,
I shall do
anything I can.
Shall I see you
later, Simon?
Just keep
Charles company.
I'll join you
in a moment.
Yes, by all means,
of course.
Well, good night
to you.
Good night,
Major Maitland.
Good night, sir.
Goodbye, sir.
Yes, well, I
hope you think
I'll be
able to help.
[door closing]
I'm sorry, but I'm
hanged if I think so.
Don't you
believe him?
It doesn't
really matter
what we believe, Simon,
does it?
Only in so far as if
you don't believe him,
you don't believe me.
He's telling the
truth, Hamish.
Quite possibly.
But let's
face it, Simon.
In any other
circumstances,
you wouldn't trust that
man as a potential
key witness any further
than you could kick him.
If I were convinced
to his truthfulness,
I would trust him.
And risk
a let down?
Simon, admit it.
On this afternoon's
showing,
any competent junior
could break that man
in the box
like an egg.
What do you suppose
a man like Naylor
would do with him
in cross examination?
Even Naylor can't
cross examine
his own witness.
What the devil
do you mean?
Maitland will
be our witness.
No, he won't.
Maitland's already made a
statement to the police.
I haven't, nor
am I going to.
So, the crown are
bound to call him
as the only person who saw
me in the Mews that night,
and must treat him as
a witness of truth
and be bound
by what he says.
They can't cross examine.
Any cross examination will
be ours, not Naylor's.
But Naylor still
has the last word.
In reexamination
only.
Yes, and
reexamination
can be just as deadly
as cross,
if you put
your mind to it.
You know that as
well as I do.
Mr. Crawford,
we can not rely
on that alibi as the
main line of defense.
We daren't
chance it.
We've got to rely on it,
it's all we have.
[knocking]
Come in.
Excuse me, sir.
[Simon]
Yes, Charles?
Superintendent Eley
is here now, sir.
Ah.
Thank you,
Charles.
Tell him I'm
just coming.
Very good, sir.
[sighing]
Miss Larkin, there
may be a few things
I shall want
from home.
If there is
anything I need,
perhaps you and
Charles
shall bring them
along sometime?
Yes, of course.
Thank you.
[sighing]
Now, no arguments,
Hamish.
The alibi goes in.
[overlapping chatter]
[gavel striking]
Be upstanding
in court!
All persons who have
anything to do
before my Lords,
the Queen's Justices,
of oyer and terminer, and
general jail delivery
for the jurisdiction of
the Central Criminal Court,
draw near and give
your attendance.
God save
the Queen.
Put up
Simon Crawford.
[distant man shouting]
Simon Crawford!
Simon Crawford,
you are charged
that on
April 19th last
you murdered
Matthew Gregory.
Are you guilty
or not guilty?
Not guilty.
[crowd murmuring]
Mr. Crawford's
chambers.
Who?
No, Charles
is at court
with the governor
at the moment.
Yeah.
Mr. who?
Mr. Ball.
Yeah?
One of the
shorthand blokes?
Yeah?
No recollection
of any threats
against Mr. Crawford
or Judge Gregory?
Right, I'll tell him.
Yeah, pass the
word on, will ya?
Right,
ta ta.
[Naylor]
Superintendent, on
that same Monday evening,
did you remove
anything else
from Mr. Crawford's
house?
Yes, sir,
the letter.
Exhibit Six.
It was in the locked
drawer of his writing desk.
Will you look at
that letter, please?
Is that the letter?
Yes, sir.
Describe it for the
court, and then read it.
It is dated the
16th of April,
and is typed
in red, not very well.
There is
no address.
The letter reads,
"Dear Mr. Crawford,
"thank you for the
money, very welcomed.
"The man responsible for
your daughter's death
"was Sir Matthew Gregory.
"If you don't
believe me,
"put it to him
and see what he says.
Yours truly,
James Armitage."
The signature is
written, sir.
Thank you,
Superintendent.
Superintendent?
Who is
James Armitage?
I understand he's a private
investigator, Madam.
Although he is not
registered as such.
No.
Nor does his
name appear at all
in the telephone
directory.
No.
Nor since he lodged such
detailed information
with you concerning
Mr. Crawford,
have you set eyes on
him from that day to this.
No.
Hardly reliable
informant, would you say?
On the face
of it, perhaps.
And yet his
information
is accepted
without question.
That's not so,
Madam.
It's the duty of the
police to check up
on all information.
On checking his, it
proved to be right,
so we acted on it.
But you never questioned
him again, did you?
I didn't have
the opportunity.
So, how can you be
sure he wasn't lying?
How can you be sure
the whole thing
wasn't specially
laid on to throw
the blame
onto Crawford,
when in fact, the real
culprit was Armitage,
or someone
connected with him?
My Lord, my friend
knows better than that.
If she has a suggestion
to make, let her make it,
and not ask questions
which is no part of
the superintendent's
duty to answer.
My Lord, I suggest that
if my learned friend
were to call
Armitage here
for me to cross examine,
there would be no need
for such questions
to be asked.
My Lord, I have
given this matter
considerable thought.
With what result,
headache?
My Lord, not
more than usual,
when appearing before
your Lordship.
No, my Lord,
I must object.
Your Lordship is
well aware--
Let's just get
on with the case.
Miss Larkin.
If your
Lordship pleases.
Superintendent.
I don't want
there to be any
misunderstanding
about this.
The scientific evidence
brought by the crown
against my client,
consists of traces of
his blood and hair
found on the firedog
in the judge's study.
His fingerprints on
the murder weapon,
and on a liqueur glass
of a vin du valais,
also found
in the study.
Wool fibers and threads
from his overcoat
under the dead
man's fingernails,
and corresponding traces
of the dead man's blood
on that overcoat.
Am I right?
Yes, Madam.
Then would you please
look at the firedog
with the blood
and hair on it?
Exhibit Three.
It takes apart,
does it not,
one bit screws
into another?
Yes, Madam.
Then, take it
apart, please.
Now, will you
take in your hand
the bit showing the
blood and hair?
It forms a conveniently
portable offensive weapon,
does it not?
Yes, it does.
Just show it
to the jury.
Thank you.
Put it down.
[forcefully putting
down firedog]
Now, suppose,
just suppose,
that someone
with that weapon
was waiting in the
shadows that night
for Crawford
to come home,
and hit him on the
head with it
as he was about to
open his front door.
Possible so far?
Yes, Madam.
And suppose
this someone
then dragged or
carried him
into the judge's
house, where the judge
was already lying
dead.
Or alternatively, took
the necessary objects
out into
the Mews,
pressed Crawford's hand
round the weapon
with which the old
man had been killed,
and also around the glass
of a vin du valais,
as alleged
he drank.
Still possible?
Possible, yes, Madam,
and not very likely.
Bear with me a moment
longer, Superintendent.
That's all I ask.
And suppose
this someone
then scraped the
dead man's hands
down the overcoat that
Crawford was carrying,
so that wool
fibers and threads
were lodged beneath
the torn nails,
and so that
smears of blood
were left on that overcoat
for all to see.
Would not the
scientific evidence
available under such
circumstances
be identical with
the scientific evidence
now being produced
by the crown
to say that Crawford
killed the judge?
Yes, it would.
Thank you.
And now, let me
take supposition
a step further.
You are aware,
are you not,
that Mr. Crawford's keys
were stolen that night,
which was his reason
for spending the night
at Major Maitland's
house.
Major Maitland
made a statement
to that effect,
yes, Madam.
Is there anything
to have prevented
whoever stole
those keys--
If they were
actually stolen.
Is there anything
to have prevented
whoever stole those
keys that night
from entering his
house in his absence
and planting the letter
signed James Armitage
in his drawer?
I suppose not.
So, we are left
with this, are we not?
That the scientific
evidence brought
by the crown in
support of the supposition
that Crawford killed
the judge,
supports equally
the supposition
that he was killed
by someone else,
who saw to it that
Crawford would be blamed.
With respect, Madam,
you're forgetting
the evidence of
his own clerk,
that such a letter was
delivered to his chamber
two days earlier,
and that Armitage
himself went to see him
by appointment in
hospital
some time earlier.
I am forgetting nothing,
Superintendent.
Now, will you please
answer my question?
Is there
anything in the evidence
I specifically
put to you,
that rules out
the possibility
that Crawford
was framed?
No, Madam.
Thank you.
[crowd murmuring]
Conversely,
Superintendent,
is there anything in
any of the evidence
that rules out
the probability
that he was not?
No, sir.
Thank you,
Superintendent.
Dr. Wimborne,
now, please.
This way, sir,
please.
[crowd murmuring]
Silence!
Put the book in
your right hand.
Now, read from
the card.
"I swear by
almighty God
"that the evidence
which I shall give
"shall be the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing
but the truth."
Doctor, on the 19th
of April last,
did you perform a
postmortem examination
upon the body of a man
identified to you
as Matthew Gregory?
Yes, I did.
What did
you find?
There was a single
entry stab wound,
angled downwards,
one inch above
the left nipple.
Exploration of this
wound revealed that
the heart had been
penetrated in two places.
Two places?
The passage of the wound
divided into two,
just below the
level of the wrist.
Indicating what,
that the deceased
had been stabbed
twice?
Possibly.
Are you able
to establish
the time
of death?
Yes, I first
examined the body
in the study at
7:30 A.M.
I estimated
that he'd been dead
about six hours,
taking us back
approximately to 1:30 A.M.
allowing half an hour
each way
for fluctuation
in temperature.
This establishes the death
within the time bracket
of 1:00 A.M.
and 2:00 A.M.
I am much
obliged.
At the prisoner's
own request, doctor,
did you later visit him
at Brixton Prison,
and examine a
partially healed injury
to the back of
his head?
Yes, I did.
How much force would
have been required
to inflict
such an injury?
Quite considerable.
Huh.
Will you now please
look at the firedogs,
Exhibit Three.
Stand it up on
the table, please,
as if they were
in a grate.
That's right.
Can you see them quite
clearly, doctor?
Yes.
[Naylor]
Now, in your
expert opinion,
would the injury of
the prisoner's head
be consistent with
his having fallen
and hit the
back of his head
on that bust
at the top?
Was it the sort of injury
that you might expect
from such a fall?
Yes, it was.
Thank you,
doctor.
Doctor.
Was there anything in the
nature of the injury
at the back of
Crawford's head
to show that it must
have been caused
by his falling
onto the firedog,
instead of, as I
suggested,
being coshed
with part of it?
Nothing, no.
Thank you.
Then we need waste no
further time over that.
Have you a ruler with
you, by any chance?
No, I haven't.
Oh, Mr. Gillespie?
Miss Larkin,
if I may?
Oh, thank you.
Would you give
your doctor
the murder weapon,
Exhibit One?
Yes.
Doctor, now that you have
the knife in front of you,
would you measure it
across the blade
at its widest point?
Exactly one inch.
In the course of
your postmortem,
did you measure the
width of the entry wound
you described?
Yes, that also was
exactly one inch.
So, my friend's
suggestion that Gregory
was stabbed twice
with that knife
makes nonsense,
doesn't it?
It would call
for an amazing
degree of accuracy,
yes.
So, for all
practical purposes,
we can rule out the
second stab
actually as a stab?
I agree.
But, suppose later,
it became necessary
for some reason
after the first stab,
to remove that knife
altogether,
and then to replace
it, to look as though
it had never been
removed.
Do you follow me?
Yes, of course.
Could it not
have happened
under such circumstances
that whoever
replaced the knife
failed to realize they
were deviating
from the original
path of the wound,
below rib level?
Yes, that could
have happened.
Thank you,
that is all.
But, did it?
Did it what?
Happen?
I have no idea.
Precisely.
Thank you,
doctor.
My Lord, may
I refer you
to page 21 of
the deposition,
the evidence of
Major Maitland?
Page what?
21, my Lord.
Yes, Mr. Naylor.
My Lord,
Major Maitland
is a close friend
of the prisoner.
He's attended court
under his recognizance,
but I'm now instructed
that he refuses
to give evidence
for the crown.
Are you applying
to treat him
as a hostile
witness, then?
That was my
intention, my Lord.
However, as the evidence
has been adequately
covered by
other witnesses,
subject to anything your
Lordship may say,
I no longer propose
to call him at all.
Miss Larkin?
My Lord, I
respectfully agree.
No!
Simon!
All right,
let me try.
My Lord, have I
your permission
to confer shortly
with my client?
Certainly,
Miss Larkin.
Much obliged,
my Lord.
Why the hell can't you
do as you're told?
Call him.
But can't you see,
he's done enough trouble
as it is with
his antics.
Naylor's already
spiked our guns
by making
him hostile.
That doesn't
alter his evidence.
But, Mr. Crawford, that
man's evidence isn't--
I still order
you to call him.
And I refuse.
I must do what I
think is right.
And to call him now
would be utterly wrong.
If you insist on
calling him,
I shall be forced to
withdraw from the case.
Very well, then.
I'm sorry.
Yes, Miss Larkin?
My Lord, it seems I'm
no longer able to act
in the best interest
of my client,
so instructions have
been withdrawn from me.
In the circumstances,
I can only apologize,
and ask leave of the court
to withdraw from the case.
[crowd murmuring]
[door slamming]
Now perhaps,
Mr. Crawford,
you'd be good enough
to tell me
what you
propose to do now?
My Lord, I ask
permission of the court
to defend myself,
and to retain
Mr. Gillespie
to advise me.
Very well.
Oh, uh,
Miss-- Miss--
Miss--
oh God.
Major Maitland, sir.
What?
Yes, yes, rather
coming, coming.
[crowd murmuring]
You all right?
[man]
This way,
sir, please.
This way, sir,
please.
Silence!
Take the book in
your right hand,
read from
the card.
I refuse to
take the oath.
I refuse
to give evidence
against an
innocent man.
[crowd gasping]
Major Maitland,
am I right
in assuming
that you're only desire
is to help your friend?
Yes, sir--
my Lord.
Then, be advised
by me that you are not
doing so by adopting
this attitude.
If you do not
take the oath,
he can not
question you.
And if he can not
question you,
you're powerless
to help him.
I-- I beg your
pardon, my Lord.
I-- I didn't
understand.
Very well, then,
do as you're told.
Yes, of course,
my Lord.
Thank you so much,
that's awfully good--
Take the book in
your right hand.
Right hand,
sir, please.
Oh, uh,
yes.
Read from
the card.
"I swear by
almighty God,
"that the evidence
I shall give
"shall be the truth,
the whole truth
and nothing
but the truth."
Yes, Mr. Naylor?
My Lord.
Major Maitland,
is your full name
Hugh Beresford Maitland,
are you of independent
means, and do you live
at Number 22, Gordon
Mews, Southwest One?
Yes.
No further questions.
Major Maitland?
Do you recall the night
of April the 18th last?
Yes, most certainly.
I say,
are you, um?
Yes.
Oh, I see,
okay.
Would you be good enough
to describe to his Lordship,
and to the jury, the
events of that night
as they affected
yourself?
Yes, of course.
Well, um,
I-- I gave
a small dinner party
that evening.
I invited you, and you
were unable to come.
Was Mr. Justice Gregory
a guest at that party?
Yes, he was.
[footsteps approaching]
[Simon]
And then, did I remain
with you in your house?
[Maitland]
Yes.
You found you had
lost your keys,
so I made up a bed for
you in my spare room.
[Simon]
And what time would
that have been?
[Maitland]
Well, by the time I
left you for the night,
it had been well after
2:00, well after.
Let me have a look at
that pocket diary of yours.
[Simon]
Well after 2:00.
Major Maitland,
we've been told
that the time
bracket within which
Mr. Justice Gregory
was killed
was between 1:00 and
2:00 A.M., outside limits.
Now, at any time within
that bracket,
was I not
in your house,
not in your
company?
Nope, no,
you were with me
all the time.
Oh, you couldn't
possibly have killed him.
I told them so.
Thank you, Major.
[Naylor]
Just a moment,
Major Maitland.
You are quite sure
of these times?
Yes.
With no possibility
of error?
Nope.
Presumably,
you recall
consulting your
watch, or a clock.
Yes.
Yes.
Do you carry
a pocket diary?
[laughing]
Yes.
Perhaps you'll be
kind enough
to turn to the page for
Sunday, April the 19th.
Certainly.
Yes.
Read to us what it
says at the top.
It says Sunday,
April 19th.
Go on, please.
It says
7:30 A.M.,
"Very grave news."
What else is
printed there?
Oh, printed there,
sorry.
Uh, at 2:00 A.M.,
British Summer
Time begins.
Do you understand
what that means?
Yes.
It means,
does it not,
that before going to bed
on the Saturday night,
everybody in the
British Isles
is supposed to
put their clocks
forward one hour,
doesn't it?
Yes.
Did you put your
clocks forward
one hour
that night?
Did you?
No.
Thank you.
When did you put
them forward, when?
I-- I didn't,
I'm terribly sorry.
I must have
forgotten.
I suppose my daily
woman, Mrs., uh--
Mr. Crawford, it is
not the usual practice
to re-cross examine.
I beg your pardon,
my Lord.
Thank you,
Major Maitland.
That's all.
My Lord, in view of
what has been said,
I ask leave to
recall Dr. Wimborne.
Very well,
Mr. Naylor.
Dr. Wimborne,
please.
[crowd murmuring]
My dear fellow,
I'm most awfully--
Oh, you blithering
idiot.
[Naylor]
Doctor, you are
already on oath.
[Wimborne]
Yes, sir.
Now, you've told us that
you first examined
the body at 7:30 A.M.
Yes.
Did you take the time
from your own watch?
Yes.
And had you put your
watch forward one hour
to comply with the
commencement
of British Summer Time?
Yes.
Yes.
Now, you've also told
us that the body
had been dead
for some six hours.
Yes.
Establishing the
time of death
as between 1:00
and 2:00 A.M.,
British Summer Time.
Yes.
But, suppose, like
Major Maitland,
you did not put your
watch forward one hour.
What then, would
you have given
as the outside
limits of death?
Between midnight
and 1:00 A.M.
And by Maitland's time,
Crawford was not
found by him
until 12:45.
Thank you,
doctor.
[crowd murmuring]
[sighing]
Well, what
can we do?
I'll have one last
shot at getting him
to change
his plea.
Do you think
he did it?
Under stress of the
Armitage letter?
Well, don't you, now?
No, no he didn't kill
him, I know he didn't.
How can you know?
Does he even know
himself?
He's been a very
sick man, remember.
Don't look at me
like that.
Do you think this is
any easier for me?
Oh, why can't he
trust people?
Why won't he
let us help him?
Because he's
Simon Crawford.
Is that any reason?
Oh, Mr. Gillespie,
you know how long
I've been in
his chambers.
Four years!
Any idea what
it's been like,
to have instructions
just fed into you
all the time,
like a computer?
Always do what
he wants,
the way he wants it.
Is that any way to
learn your job?
And made to feel that
if you do something right,
it's because he told
you how to do it,
and if you flub,
it's because you were
fool enough to disobey
his orders.
Well, he's not
foolproof,
and he can't
work miracles.
Can't he be made
to see that?
And now, because
of his bloody
self-sufficiency,
he's--
[Simon]
Hamish, just clear
out, will you?
[Hamish]
What?
There's something I want
to say to Miss Larkin.
Very well.
Won't you
sit down?
May I have
one of these?
Yes, of course.
They're French,
do you mind?
No, not a bit.
[exhaling]
Miss Larkin,
you were angry
when I came in,
about me.
Yes.
Cause I'm about to be
convicted of murder,
and you, perhaps,
could have prevented it?
Or because you
felt unwanted
the past four years?
One can hear
everything out there.
I-- I shouldn't
have said that,
it was childish
of me.
I only said
it because--
Because I'm about to be
sentenced to life imprisonment
through mishandling
my own case?
Oh, it wasn't
only you--
It wasn't only that,
it was, everything.
I mean, the
evidence being rigged
and not being able
to prove it,
and Major Maitland
letting you down, and--
and you telling the truth,
and no one believing you.
It's all
so biased.
That's still
no excuse
for an
emotional outburst.
Counsel is paid to
advise, and to think,
and to act.
And you can't do any of
these things if you fill
your head up with a lot of
sentimental nonsense.
Good God, Mr. Crawford,
I know that.
Well, if you know it,
why don't you act on it?
Otherwise, you'll
have suffered
four years of
frustration for nothing.
If that doesn't mean
anything to you,
it does to me, because I
resent the waste of time.
I'm sorry.
Well, I'm sorry, too.
Having got to
that point,
let's see what we can
do to put things right.
Now, first, where you
went for me just now,
of it being emotional,
doesn't mean I don't
appreciate your
concern for me.
I'm most grateful.
Mr. Crawford--
And secondly, concerning
the four years you spent
in my chambers,
I can understand
your resentment, and
the fault was mine.
A young counselor
with a natural ability
are few and far
between.
And nine times
out of ten,
if a young counsel
is given his head,
he loses it.
And what could have been
a shining talent,
becomes instead a
conceited mediocrity.
I didn't want that
to happen to you.
I didn't know.
I took damn good
care you shouldn't.
Perhaps that's where
I went wrong.
I should have
told you sooner.
So, I'll tell you now.
Yours is a
shining talent.
See that you
keep it so.
Now, I think you better
go to the mess bar
and get
yourself a drink.
And send Hamish in.
[closing purse]
And Sheila.
This time I
do need help.
Oh, come in,
Hamish.
Sheila seems a
bit tensed up.
What have you been
saying to her?
Nothing that shouldn't
have been said
a long time ago.
Here, help yourself to
a delicious glass of water.
Hm?
I'm breaking a
lifelong rule.
Well, I made a proper
mess of things, didn't I?
Yes, you did.
So now, perhaps, you'll
listen to reason.
My dear man, I'll
listen to anything.
Do you still not
think there's something
in what I
suggested?
You mean to run
diminished responsibility?
Yes.
I think it's a
monstrous suggestion.
I did not kill
that man.
I swear to you,
that is the truth.
But can you
be sure?
Yes.
Of course
I'm sure.
Yet, you
hesitated.
Why?
I wasn't sure I understood
your implication.
But you did understand
it, didn't you?
You had been
mentally ill.
I'd had a bit
of a breakdown,
we've been through
all that.
But not
deeply enough--
Will you stop it?
No, I won't.
I've got to say this,
and you're damn well
going to
listen to me.
You know as well as
I do, the tricks
the mind can play.
Suppose you had been
taken ill again.
But I wasn't,
I was discharged
and cured, completely
cured.
All right,
so you were.
But illness
can return.
Suppose something happened
that brought it back again.
But what, there
was nothing,
absolutely nothing.
Except, perhaps, something
your subconscious mind
won't allow
you to remember.
Such as?
That you really
did see Armitage.
That is not true.
But it is
possible.
No.
Simon, listen to me,
for God's sake.
Admit to yourself, you
could have killed him.
If you were advising
someone else,
someone in
your predicament,
with the facts we
know before you,
and the same
alternative to face,
either life imprisonment
for a convicted murderer
or a possible
two years
for a sick man
in need of help,
what would be
your advice?
I won't let you
do this to me.
I have to.
Answer me, man,
and be honest.
What would
you say?
I'd say the
same as you.
Then, will
you do it?
I don't know.
[knocking]
Yes, what is it?
Clerk from Mr.
Crawford's chambers
to see you, sir.
Oh, show him in officer,
will you, please?
Charlie?
In here.
Yes, Percy,
what is it?
Sorry, sir, a
message came through
the office for
Charles, sir--
Mr. Milburn, sir.
Something about
threats against
Mr. Crawford, sir.
Well?
Well, I took it, sir,
because Mr. Milburn
is down at Winchester this
afternoon, and I thought
you ought to have it
as soon as possible.
Well, what was the
message, and who sent it?
One of the old
shorthand blokes, sir.
Name of, uh,
Kennen, or Gennen,
or something
like that.
He said have we
thought of Logan, sir?
John Logan, who made a bit
of a song and dance
about you and the
judge in court,
after he was
sentenced in 1943.
He can't remember the
details too much,
but he's pretty
certain of the name
and the date.
During the war, it
was, because all
the lights in
court went out,
and that's what made
him remember.
What court was it?
His, sir,
at the bailing.
Officer?
Yes, sir?
Will you do
something for me?
Yes, sir.
Get your chief to
ring Miss Larkin,
she's in the mess bar.
And get her to borrow the
transcript of the trial
of John Logan, from a
1943 court records,
and get them down
here to me immediately.
It'll be Mr. Gillespie's
undertaking to return them.
John Logan, 1943?
Yes, and
please hurry.
Right you
are, sir.
John?
[whispering]
Anything else,
Percy?
Well, sir,
um...
Well, nothing, sir,
except, um,
Mr. Painter
and the girls
asked me to wish you
all the best,
and good luck, sir.
And that goes
for me too, sir.
Well, thank you,
Percy.
Thank you, sir.
And now, you'd
better get back
and keep them in order,
hadn't you?
Yes, sir.
Good night, sir.Good night, Percy.
Logan.
Logan.
I came as quickly as
I could, you wanted these.
Transcripts
on Logan?
And the original
depositions, yes.
Thank you.What's happened?
Another tip off.
Percy came
along with it.
Hamish, I was right,
it was Gregory.
After sentence,
Percy said, didn't he?
Mr. Justice Gregory.
"John Logan,
you've been found
"guilty of robbery
with violence
"of a most
brutal character,
"as a result of which
three men
"were seriously
injured, indeed,
"one may well be
crippled for life.
"It is quite clear to me
that you are a ruthless
"and dangerous criminal
from whom the public has
"every right
to be protected.
"And protected
it shall be.
"The sentence of
this court upon you
"is that you be in
prison for life.
At this
point, Logan-- "
Ahh.
"At this point,
Logan turned
"to the prosecuting
counsel, Mr. Crawford,
"then back to the Mr.
Justice Gregory, and said,
"I shall kill you if it
takes the rest of my life.
I'll kill you,
both of you."
We're in business.
Possibly, possibly.
But let's take it
step by step.
How much can you
recall of this man now?
Can you picture
him at all?
After 25 years?
Hamish, you know
as well as I do,
that no counselor can
picture the face
of the man in the
dark not five minutes
after trial
is over.
No, I suppose not.
There's one thing I
do remember, though.
He was color blind.
Why that, for
heaven's sake?
Because that's what
led to his arrest.
His driver had been
injured in the raid,
and Logan had to drive the
getaway car himself.
Now, the Germans had been
over the night before,
and the escape
route was in shambles,
and the salvage people were
operating a single lane
of traffic with a
red and green light.
And Logan, being
color blind,
drove straight
through the red,
and was stopped
by the police.
Just a routine stop.
But they looked in
the back of the car,
saw the injured driver,
and that was that.
But this man was
sentenced in 1943.
You mean, it's
inconceivable
a man could harbor
revenge for so long?
I don't see why.
If you're insane enough
to make the threat
in the first
place, and mean it.
How do we know
he meant it?
We don't, but
assume he did.
Is 20 years in prison
going to change him?
Isn't he more likely
to nurse the idea?
To plan it,
replan it,
turn it over and
over in his mind,
till at last
he comes out
still with this
terrible obsession.
The two men
responsible for putting
him away must
be destroyed.
That's insane.
Is it?
So, the man's
mentally ill.
Is that so
unusual?
Not five minutes ago,
you had no hesitation
suggesting I was.
[knocking]
Yes, officer,
what is it?
Telephone, sir,
from your office.
They insist it's
very urgent.
Oh, all right,
thank you.
I think you're letting
your imagination
run away
with you.
♪♪
What is it?
These were in the
back of the folder.
What are they?
Pictures of Logan
taken after his arrest.
It can't be.
Add 20 years,
look at the eyes.
The eyes don't change.
Where have you
seen those eyes?
♪♪
[crowd murmuring]
Yes, Mr. Naylor?
My Lord, your Lordship
will recall that I was
unable to conclude
my case yesterday,
owing to the indisposition
of Lady Gregory.
Lady Gregory,
I'm happy to say,
has now recovered,
and is with us.
Lady Gregory, please.
Lady Gregory,
please.
[crowd murmuring]
[man]
This way please,
madam.
Charles.
Where the hell
are they?
I don't know, sir.
Well, find them,
will you?
I'll try, sir.
Silence!
Take the book in
your right hand.
Read from
the card.
"I swear by
almighty God,
"that the evidence
which I shall give
"shall be the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing
but the truth."
Thank you.
[Naylor]
Lady Gregory,
is your full name
Phyllis Charmaine Gregory,
and are you the widow of
the late Matthew Gregory?
Yes.
I shall be as
brief as possible.
Thank you.
How well do you
know the prisoner?
Intimately, my--
my husband and I were
closely associated
with him for a
great many years.
How so?
He first entered
my husband's chambers
as a pupil
in 1937.
In 1941, when he was
on leave from the Navy,
his wife was killed
in an air raid,
and he himself
was terribly injured.
Joanna, his daughter, was
only two at the time,
and he turned
to us for help.
We took her in with us
and looked after her.
Later, when he at last
got out of the hospital,
Matthew--
my husband
was able to get
him settled
in the house next door
to us in Gordon Mews,
which was
then empty.
And then?
Well, he took up
his career again,
and did very well.
And all this time, until
your husband's death,
you were neighbors
of his in Gordon Mews.
Yes.
Thank you.
Your husband drove
a car, did he not?
Yes.
Was he a
good driver?
Please answer my
question, Lady Gregory.
Was he?
No, he was not.
Did Crawford ever express
his views to you
about your
husband's driving?
Yes, he-- he
always hated
being driven anywhere
by my husband.
Why?
Because he--
he didn't consider
him safe.
He didn't
consider him safe.
Because of his intimate
family relationship
with you, did
Crawford confide in you?
Certainly.
And he was with
you on the night
of his daughter's
death.
Yes,
he was--
he was terribly
upset.
What do you
mean by that?
I mean, he was
more upset--
he was almost
out of his mind.
Go on, please.
He-- he told my
husband and me
that if ever he found
the man responsible, he--
he'd kill him.
Thank you.
Oh, one small
point.
Who in your household
drank vin du valais?
Only Mr. Crawford.
Why did you
keep it then?
Especially
for him.
It was more of
a joke, really.
He loved it, but no one
else would--
touch it.
Thank you.
Lady Gregory,
you and I know each
other very well.
Yes.
Are you then suggesting
that I could believe
for one moment
that your husband
could have knocked Joanna
down in the street
and driven off
without stopping?
You don't really think
that, do you?
No.
Thank you.
[Naylor]
Thank you,
Lady Gregory.
My Lord, that is the
case for the crown.
[crowd murmuring]
Mr. Crawford,
what I'm about
to tell you,
you know as
well as I do.
And nevertheless, it's
my duty to say it.
You are not obliged
to say anything in reply
to the charge
against you.
But, if you
wish to do so,
there are two courses
open to you.
Either you can
give evidence
on your own
behalf,
on oath in
the witness box,
in which case you can
be cross examined
by prosecuting
counsel.
Or you can
make a statement
to the court from
the dock,
in which case you can
not be cross examined.
In either case,
it is open to you
to call witnesses.
Now, will you
please tell me
what you wish
to do?
I will give evidence
on oath, my Lord.
Very well.
Officer.
May I first have a brief
word with my solicitor?
Yes, yes.
I'm much
obliged.
[crowd murmuring]
We're barking up
the wrong tree.
Oh, how?
Logan is dead.
Dead?
He's been dead
for years.
Oh my God.
You've got no
choice now, Simon.
Will you take the
oath, sir, please?
"I swear by
almighty God
"that the evidence
I shall give
"shall be the
truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but
the truth."
My Lord.
Members of
the jury.
The case against me is
based upon three things.
Scientific evidence,
a theory of motive,
and proofs as a
breakdown of my alibi,
proof that I had
opportunity.
I concede now,
I had opportunity.
But I concede
nothing else.
I did not kill
Mr. Justice Gregory.
I had no reason to.
Never for one moment,
did I believe him
responsible for
my daughter's death,
and I still don't
believe it.
But, because the man
Armitage alleges it is so,
the police believe it,
and accuse me of
believing it also.
Now, the police
have shown you
fingerprints,
blood and hair,
my overcoat even, which
I may remind you
they found
hanging in my hall,
not concealed
in any way.
I don't know how
this evidence against me
came into being.
But one thing
I do know.
Someone had reason
to kill the judge,
and to see that I would
be blamed for it.
Somewhere, there
is a man,
or a woman,
who has lied and
distorted the truth,
so that I should stand
before you today
accused of a crime
I did not commit.
Only when this
monstrous web of lies
and deceit has been
blown away,
only then can
justice be served.
That's all I have
to say, my Lord.
The only web of
lies and deceit
in this business,
is of your own making,
isn't it?
No.
Then, let us
examine the situation
a little more
closely.
You loved your
daughter very dearly.
Yes.
So much so, that
after her death,
you determined to
kill the man
responsible for it?
Certainly not.
Nevertheless, you
told Lady Gregory
and her husband that if
ever you found this man,
you'd kill him.
That was said in
grief and anger,
not half an hour after
my daughter died.
Are you suggesting
then, that a threat
to kill is any less
of a threat
because it
happened in anger?
In these
circumstances, yes.
These circumstances
being that it now
suits your purpose to
minimize that threat.
Not at all.
I see.
Why did you employ
private detectives
to find this man,
when the police
were doing
everything possible?
The police were
getting nowhere.
You don't seem to
have much of an opinion
of the police,
do you?
I have the greatest
regard for them.
Really?
When you didn't
trust them to find
the man who ran down
your daughter,
any more than
you trusted them
to find the man who
coshed you on the head
that night and
stole your keys.
That question
never arose.
But that's precisely the
point I'm making,
Mr. Crawford,
it should have done,
shouldn't it?
The police got a full
report the following day.
But not that night.
No.
No.
Nor would they have had
one the following day,
unless you had
been forced to invent
some cock and bull story
on the spur of the moment
to explain away the
injury to your head.
That is not true!
No doubt, the jury
can hear what you say.
But, let me return
to the question
of your
daughter's death.
Why did you
see fit to employ
private investigators
to find this man?
So that you could
help the police?
Or so that you could
punish him yourself?
In fact, you
formed an intent
to punish him yourself,
did you not?
Oh, some such thought
had occurred to me,
but I never
formed an intent.
I suggest that you
employed private detectives
to find this man, so that
you could kill him.
I did not.
Nor did anyone
I ever engaged
succeed in
finding him.
Oh, come now,
one did, didn't he?
Armitage, the man who
sent you this letter.
I never saw
that letter.
The envelope delivered
to chambers
contained blank paper.
Armitage found
him for you.
No.
And having found him,
you killed him.
No.
As I've seemed to have
said a thousand times,
the information
given to the police
by the man Armitage
was false.
I never engaged him as
a private detective.
I never received
a letter from him.
I don't even know
who he is!
How, if his
information was false,
does it come about
that everything
found later
by the police
confirms it as
being true?
Because he knew in advance
what they would find.
The trap was
set and sprung,
and I was inside it.
The truth is you knew the
contents of that letter
to be a
hideous fact,
and there was murder
in your heart.
No.
You were never
attacked that night.
Instead, you called
on the judge,
you knew he was
alone in the house.
He confessed what you
already knew,
that he was your
daughter's killer,
and you killed him.
That is not true!
♪♪
Mr. Crawford, do you
wish to add anything
to your previous
statement?
No, my Lord.
Then, return
to the dock.
♪♪
My Lord, may I again ask
the court's indulgence
to confer with
Mr. Gillespie?
Very well, but don't
be too long about it.
I'm much obliged,
my Lord.
Now, look here, you
say Logan is dead.
When did he
die, and how?
He was killed in a
train blowup in 1944.
But, he was in
prison then.
They were
transferring him
from Maidstone
to Dartmoor.
The train was shot up by
a German night fighter.
He and his escort,
and two other prisoners
were in the last coach
which caught fire.
They all died.
Was his death
reported?
Not in the papers.
I suppose because
it was wartime.
We can
cover the lot.
He must have fooled them
somehow and got away.
It's the only
possible explanation.
Even if you're right,
how can we prove it?
What about
fingerprints?
Did you go down
to records?
Yes, I did.
All Logan's records
have been destroyed.
Destroyed?
It's normal
procedure ten years
after a criminal's
death.
Oh, damnation.
Have you got
that copy?
Yes, I have.
Let me have it,
and the stuff we
got last night.
But, you can't
follow the plan now.
I'd have to bluff
it out somehow.
Did you go down
to the war office?
Yes, I did.
There are
no records.
Well, that'll do
for a start.
Thank you.
[judge]
Are you quite
ready, Mr. Crawford?
Or would you rather
I adjourn the court?
I'm quite ready,
my Lord.
Are you proposing
to call witnesses
on your own behalf?
My Lord, no.
However, since the
court rose last night,
certain information has
come into my hands,
as a result of
which I now ask
the court's permission
to recall
certain crown
witnesses.
My Lord,
I must object.
The case of the
defense is closed.
I'm well aware of
that, Mr. Naylor.
However, in the rather
unusual circumstances,
I'm prepared to extend
every facility
to the defense.
I'm much obliged,
my Lord.
[judge]
Which of the
crown witnesses
do you wish
to recall?
First, my clerk,
Mr. Milburn.
Very well.
[Simon]
Mr. Milburn.
Yes?
I want you to help
me, if you can,
about this
man Armitage.
Yes, sir.
Now, yesterday the
court heard evidence
from the hospital
system
that Armitage had
visited me twice
in the hospital
during my illness.
Uh, twice in fact
in January,
although I never
saw him either time.
Yes, sir.
You also said in
reply to Mr. Naylor
that you had
seen Armitage
on one of these
occasions.
Yes, sir.
I was just leaving
after visiting you.
He asked me the way to
the private wing.
What was the exact
date, again?
January the 18th.
January the 18th.
And what was
the time?
About 3:00 in the
afternoon, sir.
3:00 P.M.,
thank you.
Now, you also said that on
Friday, April the 17th,
you put a personal
recorded delivery letter,
the envelope of which
was typed in red,
on my desk, and
which was signed for
by Miss Larkin.
Yes, sir.
Would you agree now,
with my suggestion,
that both the visitor
Armitage, and the letter,
were nothing more than
links in a chain
of false evidence,
deliberately manufactured
to frame me?
I would, sir,
yes.
Thank you.
How long have you
known me, Mr. Milburn?
Nearly 15 years,
sir, since 1952.
And before that,
what were you?
I was Junior Clerk in
Mr. Robson's chamber, sir,
for six years.
And before that?
In the army, sir,
I joined Mr. Robson
soon after I was
demobbed.
And you served throughout
the war, did you not,
from 1939?
Yes, sir.
In the Royal Corps of
Signals, I believe you said.
Yes, sir.
Rising to the rank
of Sergeant Major.
Sir.
Sir.
Mr. Milburn,
how well would you say
we know each other
in 15 years?
I would say very
well indeed, sir.
And I've always
confided in you.
Of course.
Well, do you ever
remember my mentioning
the name Armitage to you
before that day in January?
No, sir,
never.
Then, would you agree
now with my suggestion
that Armitage, as a man,
never really existed?
That he was
simply a character
assumed by someone for
the sole purpose
of destroying me?
[Milburn]
I think that
must be true, sir.
And you actually
saw him?
At the hospital,
yes, sir.
Well, can't you
possibly help me?
Are you quite unable
to identify him?
I wish-- I wish I
could help you, sir.
It was the hair
and the clothes
and the thick
glasses.
It could have
been anyone, sir.
A close friend
of mine, even.
Someone you know
quite well by sight.
Well, yes, sir.
Perhaps even someone
in this courtroom now.
Well?
Well, yes.
If it was a disguise,
and me not expecting it,
it could be.
As I said, sir, it
could have been anyone.
Thank you,
Mr. Milburn.
My Lord, may I now
recall Major Maitland?
If you insist.
Thank you,
Charles.
Yes, sir.
Major Maitland,
you're still on oath.
Yes I am,
yes, sir.
Would you refer once again
to your pocket diary,
and turn to the page
for January the 18th.
January the 18th,
most certainly, yes.
You are an assiduous
diary keep, are you not?
It is your practice
to make an entry
of some
sort each day.
Uh, yes
it is, yes.
Would you be kind
enough to read to us
what you had to say
for the afternoon
of January the 18th?
The afternoon,
most certainly, yes.
Here we are, here.
[clearing throat]
"Lunched at club,
"sole overcooked,
complained
to steward."
Ah, here we are,
P.M., P.M., here.
Uh, "Bought a
pair of gloves
and went to-- "
Went to what,
Major?
Hm?
"Went to the
Garden of Eden."
[crowd laughing]
The Garden of Eden?
The Garden of Eden
Club, my Lord.
It provides a
nonstop review
in Dean Street,
my Lord,
specializing in
female chorus work
and artistic tableau
in the nude.
Thank you,
Mr. Crawford.
I'm not quite so old
that past memories
have faded
beyond recall.
I merely wish to clarify
the exact location
of the Garden of
Eden referred to.
As your
Lordship pleases.
Dean Street,
you said?
[Maitland]
Yes, my Lord.
Thank you.
[crowd laughing]
Major Maitland,
what time did you go
to the Garden of Eden,
and what time did
you leave?
Well, I, uh,
I suppose
I got there
about 2:30.
And, uh, I left
about 6:00.
You sat through
the show twice?
Well, not
intentionally, no.
I remember now, of course,
I went there.
I'm afraid I
fell asleep.
How old are you,
Major Maitland?
58, my Lord.
You have my
sympathy.
[crowd laughing]
Were you accompanied
on this visit?
No, no I
wasn't, no.
So, there's no one
who can actually prove
that you remained there
from 2:30 until 6:00?
Um, no,
there isn't.
But, why should anybody
doubt my word?
Why, indeed.
On the other hand,
isn't it possible
that you did
not remain there,
or even go to the Garden
of Eden at all?
I mean, I--
I was there.
I-- I don't
understand.
Isn't it equally possible
that instead,
you made a show of
visiting the hospital
wearing pebble lenses
and a shabby suit?
Wearing what?
In order to pass yourself
off to my clerk,
who had never
then met you,
as a man
called Armitage?
Oh, now look
here, Simon.
Doesn't it
all fit?
The dinner party you gave
the night of the murder,
to which you knew
I wasn't coming.
The old man,
fuddled with wine,
an easy and unsuspecting
victim.
My own late
arrival home,
with you waiting in
the shadows?
Simon, what are
you saying?
The vin du valais you
knew only I drank?
The police you
failed to call
when I was lying
injured in your home,
the clocks you so carelessly
forgot to put forward.
My missing keys,
the forged letter
found in my desk.
Opportunity
was there!
Simon, for God's
sake, stop!
You're saying
I killed him.
Well I-- I didn't,
I didn't do
any of these things,
why on Earth should I?
Well, what possible
motive could I have?
I'm coming to
that, Major.
Please be patient.
My Lord, may I
now have sight
of the Armitage letter,
Exhibit Six?
Thank you.
My Lord, I-- I've been
extremely remiss.
I find I'm
unable to continue
the cross examination
of this witness,
unless I again recall
my clerk, Mr. Milburn.
There is one point I
forgot to put to him
which is vital
to my present
line of questioning,
my Lord.
My Lord, your Lordship
has rightly expressed
your willingness
to give the prisoner
every assistance.
But does your
indulgence extend
to his reducing the
witness box to the level
of a bedroom door in
a French farce?
I forgot about a
single question.
You might have
done the same.
That'll do,
Mr. Crawford.
I beg your pardon,
my Lord.
Major Maitland, stand
down for a moment.
But, you will not
leave the court.
Mr. Milburn,
go back
into the
witness box, please.
[Simon]
I'm sorry to bother
you again, Mr. Milburn.
But, there is one point
I forgot to put to you,
regarding the possible
relationship
between the envelope
delivered to chambers
and the corresponding letter
found in my desk at home.
You've never actually
seen that letter, have you?
No, sir.
Would you look
at it now, please?
Do you notice anything
unusual about it?
Apart from the fact that
it's typed in red, I mean.
No, sir, I don't
think so, sir.
The signature
doesn't look
much like an
educated person's,
but that's
about all.
Although the fact that
it is typed in red
is in
itself odd.
Very odd indeed,
sir, yes.
But it is not typed
in red, is it?
But you just
said that--
Mr. Milburn,
the original letter
from Armitage was
typed in red.
The letter you
now hold is a copy
prepared in my
solicitor's office
last night, but typed
in green.
Are you colorblind,
Mr. Milburn?
Well, yes, as a matter
of fact, I am.
Why did you never
say so before?
It never
occurred to me.
Or did you deliberately
conceal it?
No, sir, to me it's
of no importance.
One learns to live with a
minor disability like that.
Well, wasn't it a
great handicap to you
in your army
career?
Not particularly,
sir, no.
Not in the Royal
Corps of Signals,
with all those colored
lights and things?
No, sir.
Now, would it
surprise you to learn
that no branch of
the Royal Signals
has any knowledge
of you?
And that the war
office has no record
that you ever served
in the army at all?
Uh, I'm sorry, sir,
I'm afraid I haven't
been quite frank with you.
Wouldn't seem
so, no.
Forgive me, sir,
I never was
in the Royal Signals.
I was never in
the army at all.
Then why did you
say you were?
I wanted to work
in the temple, sir.
And I thought that by
saying I was in the army,
I would stand a better
chance than by
straight away admitting
the truth, that's all.
Oh, and just what
was the truth?
I was unfit, sir.
I worked in a
munitions factory.
So you've lied to me
and to the court.
In that respect,
yes.
Well, is the court to regard
the rest of your evidence
in the light
of this admission?
Now, that's the only
matter on which
I've not told
the whole truth.
But, how is the
jury to know that?
I hope they'll take
my word for it.
Look, sir, if
I've offended you,
I apologize,
sincerely.
It was a stupid thing
to do, and I'm sorry.
But, why keep
attacking me, sir?
What are you trying
to get at?
I'm trying to get at
the truth, Mr. Milburn.
Yesterday in this court,
Major Maitland
was accused of being
a hostile witness,
not to me,
but to the crown.
Today, I accuse you
of being hostile,
not to the
crown, but to me!
But, that's just
not true, sir.
What is your name?
My name, sir?
Isn't it
John Logan?
No, sir.
John Logan was a
man convicted
of a serious
robbery with violence
in this courtroom
20 years ago.
My Lord, I must object
most strongly to this--
You may sit down,
Mr. Naylor.
He was sentenced to
life imprisonment.
But I just don't
understand, sir.
What's that got
to do with me?
I suggest
a great deal.
Because on that occasion,
after sentence,
John Logan threatened to
kill the presiding judge
and the prosecuting
counsel.
The presiding judge
was Sir Matthew Gregory.
The prosecuting counsel
was myself.
You succeeded with
one, haven't you, Logan?
My Lord, I can not
agree to this.
Sit down,
Mr. Naylor.
My Lord,
may I speak?
Mr. Crawford keeps
attacking me, sir.
Just answer the questions,
Mr. Milburn.
If there is anything
improper in any of them,
I shall not allow
them to be put.
Would you look at these
photographs, please?
You remember them
being taken?
No, why
should I?
Because they're
pictures of you.
No.
But your name is on
them, look at the back.
The name Logan
is written here.
That's what I mean, your
name is written there
by the prison when
they were taken in 1943.
My name's
not Logan,
and these are not
pictures of me!
You can't prove that
though, can you?
I don't have to.
Oh, you may
have to.
Look at the
eyes, Logan.
A man's eyes don't
change.
Other features,
perhaps, but not his eyes.
And your eyes give
you away, Logan.
His Lordship will see
those photographs
in a moment,
so will Mr. Naylor,
and so will
the jury.
What will you say if they
decide they're pictures
of you, Logan,
what will you say then?
Stop calling
me Logan!
I ask you, Logan,
what will you say?
I shall say my name
is not Logan.
But it was Logan in
prison though, wasn't it?
It wasn't until you escaped
that you changed it
to Milburn,
when you set out
to destroy the
judge and me.
That's absurd.
You became a clerk in
my chambers, Logan.
And for years you
studied the judge and me,
there wasn't a thing about
us you didn't know.
And then,
Logan, you waited.
You waited until you
saw your opportunity
in the tragedy of
my daughter's death.
No!
It was you, Logan,
who posed as Armitage
to frame me for a murder
I did not commit.
It was you, Logan,
who in your insane
desire for revenge,
took up that knife and
stabbed to death
an innocent old man,
with no more conscience
than when you shot the
bank clerk 20 years ago.
That's not true!
You murdered
Gregory, Logan.
No, no!
Just as you said you
would all those years ago,
standing where
I am now.
That's true, Logan.
Isn't it,
Logan?
It's lies,
all lies!
Why do you keep
calling me Logan?
Because that
is your name!
Because you
are Logan.
How could I
be Logan?
Logan is dead!
What did you say?
How do you know
Logan is dead?
I read it somewhere
in the papers.
You did not!
It was never reported
in the papers.
How do you know
Logan is dead?
The truth is, Logan,
he's not dead, is he?
The truth is
he's alive,
and you are he!
No, no!
Then I ask
you once more,
how do you know
Logan is dead?
Answer me!
We are
waiting, sir.
You clever,
tricky bastard!
I said I'd
kill you.
And by God, I will!
[gunshot]
[overlapping commotion]
Silence!
[Logan shouting]
Simon, are you
all right?
Yes, I'm all right,
how bout you?
Yes.
My Lord, that is the
case for the defense.
♪♪
[roaring]