Review of Sapphire (1959) by Tom B — 20 Apr 2011
Janet Green wrote the remarkably sensitive script for this police procedural that takes on the issue of racism in 1959 London. How sensitive is it? One of her characters is studying Montessori, and each of the other characters exist in their own right, as they are.
I can only wonder at what might have been had she ever teamed up with Anthony Mann. The effort this film takes to provide an impartial view of the people and their own views, navigating past a good-guys bad-guys scenario, serves it well to a modern audience.
As several comments have pointed out, the film captures an era, providing a valued glimpse through incredibly great location shoots in gorgeous bleak color, of the London of the time. But it also gives us a glimpse of an exceedingly fine way of thinking that was alive and well and writing films of significance within the framework of genre entertainment.
Really fascinating, great, and satisfying work. I'm excited to see her work with Dirk Bogarde from the same era.
This review of Sapphire (1959) was written by Tom B on 20 Apr 2011.
Sapphire has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
