I have to admit off the bat that I had never heard of Director Paul Dickson. In light of that, and of the fact that THE DEPRAVED is a B picture done on a shoestring budget, I can only praise the quality of the ensemble work that went into the film, and which he oversaw with obvious competence and even flair.
To that extent, Dickson relied on three superb performances: Anne Heywood, as the cucumber-cool scheming wife and femme fatale; Carrol Levis as Major Kellaway, a thoughtful, supportive senior officer who realizes that his subordinate has played a part in Anne Heywood's husband's demise; and Robert Arden, who manages to convey honesty, decency, and thoughtfulness... until he falls in love with Heywood, who suckers him into murdering abusive hubby Dignam.
It is true that THE DEPRAVED does not present any novel twist. As other reviewers indicate, it borrows ideas from THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE when Arden pushes the vehicle into a lake, and DOUBLE INDEMNITY from the moment Heywood keeps the husband's wallet with the clear intent of making Arden the fall guy.
In fact, given a part where she says very little, Heywood's facial expressions are what truly build up her character as completely selfish femme fatale. The film's conclusion is inevitable, Arden has nothing more to lose.
Cinematography by Jimmy Wilson is exceptional for a B film, the score is quite pleasant, but jarringly cut by Heywood's husband's mood swings and vicious hands. The script by Brian Clemens may borrow some ideas from great James Cain novels, but it still deserves high praise for its objectivity. It held my attention to the end of its 71 minutes.
Recommended viewing.
To that extent, Dickson relied on three superb performances: Anne Heywood, as the cucumber-cool scheming wife and femme fatale; Carrol Levis as Major Kellaway, a thoughtful, supportive senior officer who realizes that his subordinate has played a part in Anne Heywood's husband's demise; and Robert Arden, who manages to convey honesty, decency, and thoughtfulness... until he falls in love with Heywood, who suckers him into murdering abusive hubby Dignam.
It is true that THE DEPRAVED does not present any novel twist. As other reviewers indicate, it borrows ideas from THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE when Arden pushes the vehicle into a lake, and DOUBLE INDEMNITY from the moment Heywood keeps the husband's wallet with the clear intent of making Arden the fall guy.
In fact, given a part where she says very little, Heywood's facial expressions are what truly build up her character as completely selfish femme fatale. The film's conclusion is inevitable, Arden has nothing more to lose.
Cinematography by Jimmy Wilson is exceptional for a B film, the score is quite pleasant, but jarringly cut by Heywood's husband's mood swings and vicious hands. The script by Brian Clemens may borrow some ideas from great James Cain novels, but it still deserves high praise for its objectivity. It held my attention to the end of its 71 minutes.
Recommended viewing.