The Man Inside (1958) User Reviews

A good plot and a great cast.

[1bilbo · 7/10 · 14 July 2009]

I suspect that this was a "B" movie of the day. We don't have "Second feature" movies any more, nowadays we are presented with one almighty production that revolves around a single famous actor and a host of special effects.

This little offering is different, there is a host of really great actors and a lot of character development. Anthony Newley is great and fits his role so well. Palance seems to be not quite with it but I have noticed this in a few of his films, his Texan accent was a mistake.

It was interesting to see the change in our leading lady after she had been beaten up. Even her ample top didn't seem to be bursting at the seams!

Well worth a watch - if you can get it.

Worth your time but nothing exceptional

[JuguAbraham · 6/10 · 14 July 2020]

Anita Ekberg is eye candy in a strange British thriller about a diamond heist. Jack Palance from USA, Ekberg from Sweden, Donald Pleasence from UK, Anthony Newly from UK playing a Spaniard make up the some of the cast. Sequences of quality is jewel thief Nigel Patrick playing magic tricks for kids in Lisbon and the train only to be outsmarted by them . The character Ekberg plays is intriguing..

Unfortunate miscasting but still enjoyable

[dnhalliday · 6/10 · 10 January 2019]

Nigel Patrick gives a great performance as usual, ably supported by screen stalwarts such as Sid James Donald Pleasance Gerard Heinz and especially Anthony Newley. Anita Ekberg provides the glamour and there are lots of exotic locations in Europe. However, Jack Palance is woefully miscast as the romantic lead and this film would have been far better if he had swapped roles with Bonar Colleano and played the villainous heavy. Having said that there is still a lot to enjoy as the story is good and there are plenty of entertaining scenes and dialogue. I liked the scenes on the train and particularly those with the precocious little girl. Incidentally, the train seems to start out in Paris as the famous Golden Arrow but ends up being pulled by an ordinary tank engine.

A Curious Misfire

[dougdoepke · 16 November 2011]

A detective pursues a stolen diamond and a voluptuous mystery woman.

This is a curious production that had me puzzled until I read Zipper69's informative, if dismissive, review. In my view, he's a little too negative, but the movie remains a disappointment, mainly because of the odd casting. As an actor, Jack Palance may be many good things, but a dashing leading man he's not. Plus, his performance here remains just plain weird, the southern accent about as good as mine. I'm not sure what Palance is reaching for, but the director should have exercised better control. Then there's Ekberg, the mammary goddess, who's a first-rate model, but a third-rate actress, especially as a mystery woman. Between them, they distract heavily from the story itself.

Nonetheless, the plot twists with the golf ball are cleverly inventive, along with the hectic park scene with the magician and the kids. There's also some good noirish photography, but that car trapping the man in the narrow alley was a crime drama cliché even in 1958. Nonetheless, with more appropriate casting and a more engaged director, the film did have real potential. Too bad, it remains a disappointing misfire.

Decent British crime flick

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 21 July 2018]

THE MAN INSIDE is a decent British crime thriller with enough international locations to make it feel like an epic episode of THE SAINT. It was directed by John Gilling, a usually reliable director who helmed some of Hammer's most interesting offerings in the 1960s. Nigel Patrick is cast against type as the ruthless villain of the piece, a diamond thief who thinks nothing to committing murder to achieve his ends in the film's shocking opening sequence. The chase story that follows is periodically exciting and lifted by an exemplary cast including the likes of Sid James, Donald Pleasence and Anthony Newley. Anita Ekberg props up the scenery looking impossibly voluptuous as usual, and it's great fun to see Jack Palance playing something other than the heavy.

typical "add American Star" scenario for the UK industry

[Zipper69 · 2/10 · 18 August 2008]

I'd almost forgotten how awful this dreck was until seeing it today on TCM. The format of flying in Nigel Patrick to film the over-title sequence of him walking through the streets of New York (??)and all subsequent " American" scenes actually filmed in the UK (street scenes in some scuzzy suburb of London to approximate the brownstone district), add a motley collection of American cars and a couple of NY cop uniforms with all the extras under order not to speak!! Then we get Sid James adapting his South African accent to approximate a tough New York cop and what looks like the Pinewood commisary doubling as a NY airport (just add TWA posters...). Palance seems to have been under the influence of SOMETHING, his performance is strange and his delivery is nuanced with odd pauses and weird facial expressions in full flow. Ekberg is suitably majestic, first seen from below, standing like a figurehead at the top of the stairs, her generous figure threatening to overcome the stitches of her various clinging outfits at any moment. Basically - rubbish!

Trivia note: amongst the cinematographers listed is Nick Roeg, later to go on to a distinguished career as a director.

Poor

[TondaCoolwal · 5/10 · 3 September 2020]

I expected rather more from this movie when I saw the cast. What I got was a poor attempt at a glamorous international pursuit thriller with a far fetched storyline and unbelievable characters. Nigel Patrick's Sam Carter, a mild-mannered book-keeper, lifts a valuable diamond and disappears. A variety of goodies, baddies and don't-knows follow him from New York (studio office, stock footage and London street with American cars) to Lisbon to Madrid to Paris and finally to London. All have their reasons for wanting to relieve Carter of the stone. Milo March (Jack Palance) is a private detective on the case. Trudie Hall (Anita Ekberg) claims it belongs to her family and Lomer (Bonar Colleano) is simply a crook. The action follows March but, he is favoured too much by coincidence. It seems he only has to turn up somewhere and ask a question of the nearest local in order to be given his next lead. Ekberg's only purpose is to be ogled. And there are at least three unsubtle references to her having "concealed weapons" (ba-boom tish!). On the plus side film buffs will have fun spotting the usual suspects who habitually grace 1950s British films. Eric Pohlman (ray!), Sid James, Alfred Burke and Donald Pleasance all have roles, and Anthony Newley plays his usual annoying, chirpy, streetwise foreigner. In this instance, Ernesto the cabby. Some nice location shots and pics of vintage airliners, and a brief shot of The Golden Arrow train. Curiosity value only.

Superb British answer to The Third Man?

[musical-2 · 8/10 · 18 May 2001]

This is a modest British adventure thriller which was hoped would hit the world market at a time when this kind of picture was in vogue. A jewellers book keeper steals a priceless diamond and is trailed by various factions half across Europe. Interesting vehicle for Anthony Newley who was given a more meatier role than his usual light musical comedy roles as taxi driver Ernesto. The all star cast includes the very British Nigel Patrick, Sid James (before his Carry On days), and a guest appearance by Donald Pleasence. Palance and Ekberg gave this British movie the American market interest. Richard Bennett's brilliant theme is akin to The Harry Lime Theme from The Third Man. Written by John Gilling (later of Hammer film fame). A rare movie, not released on video nor seen on TV for many years. Paul Goodhead - President Anthony Newley Society Worldwide.

not the best but...

[Vincentiu · 17 June 2015]

a crime film. far to be memorable, it is not bad. only version of an old recipes, with clear characters, with wise used actors in key roles. the expectations are far to be high. but the film remains decent and the story, unrealistic in essence, seems be more than nice. because if you ignore the details, nothing is too strange. Jack Palance does a good job using his simple presence. same situation - Anita Ekberg who is only the beautiful seducer with few moral fights but nothing complicated or bizarre. a film from a genre who reflects the expectations from a period. so, nothing special. but a decent crime who, far to be Hitchcock, is useful for memory. and for a kind of nostalgic entertainment.

Very Enjoyable Thriller

[tabone · 9/10 · 30 June 2020]

Just finished watching this on Talking Pictures and was very entertained. The film cracks along at a decent pace and the cast are supported by a decent, and often humorous, script. The first-call British actors all turn in their usual good performances (no Sam Kydd though, most have been an oversight) although Sid James's American accent leaves a lot to be desired. As well as a good storyline, one of the delights is seeing European capital cities in the late 1950s. A lot of the film is on location, and as such, for British audiences, this must have seemed impossibly exotic and romantic. The train sequence at the end has echoes of 'From Russia With Love' which was made five or six years later. Finally, a word for Anita Ekberg's corsetry, which deserved an Oscar all of its own. Recommended.