Sleeping Tiger

(1954)

88 minutes.

Action / Suspense

Directed by Joseph Losey

Cast: Dirk Bogarde, Alexis Smith, Alexander Know and Hugh Griffith

A certain Victor Hanbury is credited with directing this remarkable psychological drama but that won't fool any of Joseph Losey's admirers since it shares not only thematic similarities with one of his most notable American films, The Prowler (1951), but was indeed the turning point of his career in many ways. Blacklisted by Hollywood for his Communist leanings, Losey fled first to Italy and then to Britain, remaining in Europe for the rest of his days. This film also marked the start of a fruitful collaboration, resulting in five films, between Losey and star Dirk Bogarde, who here shows a definite maturity miles away from the bland matinee idol roles he typically played during this period. The film itself has an intensity not found in contemporary British cinema.