Carrington V.C. (1955)

A decorated war hero (David Niven), well liked by his men, is arrested for embezzling 125 pounds from his unit's safe. During his court martial, he insists on defending himself and is doing a good job of it. What he didn't count on was his unstable wife's (Margaret Leighton) testimony which threatens to destroy his case. Based on a play by Dorothy and Campbell Christie, the film makes no attempt to open up and remains a rather talky courtroom melodrama. It was a popular film at the time; Niven, Leighton and the film all received BAFTA nominations but today only Leighton's performance remains compelling. It's all veddy veddy British "stiff upper lip, old chap" and Niven's actions while honorable just make him look weak today. The film's comic relief in the form of Stuart Saunders' foot stomping Sergeant is more annoying than amusing and when the characters in the film are amused, it becomes downright irritating. The film has no underscore at all. Directed by Anthony Asquith (THE V.I.P.S). Released in the U.S. under the title COURT-MARTIAL. With Noelle Middleton, Geoffrey Keen, Laurence Naismith, Allan Cuthbertson, Victor Maddern and Maurice Denham.