Time Without Pity (VHS, 1995)

Joseph Losey's "Time Without Pity," is a shining example of a film noir, atmospheric thriller. This film follows an alcoholic father (Sir Michael Redgrave) who rushes to save his innocent son from being executed, while a ruthless rival (Leo McKern) conspires to hold Graham at bay, on the defensive.

Alec Graham (Alec McCowen) has been sentenced to death for murdering his girlfriend, Jennie, with whom he spent a weekend at the English country home of his friend's, Brian Stanford (Paul Daneman), parents--demented millionaire car manufacturer, Robert Stanford (Leo McKern) & his younger, unhappily married wife, Honar (Ann Todd).

Alec's father, David Graham (Sir Michael Redgrave), an alcoholic writer who's neglected his son for years, arrives from Canada to visit Alec on death row. Although Alec rebuffs his father's attempt to reconcile, David Graham's convinced of Alec's innocence. Although overwhelmed by alcoholism, Graham attempts to locate the real murderer within 24 hours before his son's execution.

That's when Graham encounters Robert Stanford (McKern). Tyrannical at home, his office & a womanizer, he piques Graham's interest. Honar (Ann Todd), Standford's wife, gives Graham the impression that she as dis-eased as their son, Brian, who's upset by his parents' turbulent marriage. Graham also encounters Vicky Harker (Lois Maxwell), a clueless young secretary working at the Stanford's factory. Graham's perplexed by how she's been able to climb career ranks at break neck speed.

After being blacklisted during the McCarthy 'red hunt' of Hollywood's celebrities, this film marks Losey's first, under his own name. The director's trademark braiding of social commentary with drama remains true to his form~