The Night My Number Came Up (1955)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Leslie Norman

Writers:

Victor Goddard (article)
R.C. Sherriff (writer)

Release Date:

5 August 1955 (West Germany)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

At a fashionable dinner party in Hong Kong a pilot is coaxed into revealing details of a dream in which...

Plot Keywords:

Fear Of Flying | Ealing | Disaster | Plane Crash | Military Officer

Awards:

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Michael Redgrave	...	Air Marshal Hardie
Sheila Sim	...	Mary Campbell
Alexander Knox	...	Owen Robertson
Denholm Elliott	...	Fl. Lt. McKenzie
Ursula Jeans	...	Mrs Robertson
Ralph Truman	...	Lord Wainwright
Michael Hordern	...	Commander Lindsay
Nigel Stock	...	Pilot
Bill Kerr	...	Soldier
Alfie Bass	...	Soldier
George Rose	...	Bennett
Victor Maddern	...	Engineer
David Orr	...	The Co-pilot
David Yates	...	The Navigator
Doreen Aris	...	Miss Robertson

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-8 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

Ealing Studios

Trivia:

Robert Urquhart was offered the chance to play McKenzie.

"Storm, darkness, snow"

The story begins to draw you in as commander Lindsay (Michael Hordern) relates a recent dream he has had about an air crash involving certain members of a dinner party he has cordially been invited to.Gradually, his dream starts to turn to a nightmarish reality as events start coming true. Even the Air Marshall played by Michael Redgrave, usually in control, finds his "stiff upper lip" starting to quiver as the dreaded dream of an air disaster looks like becoming a reality.Mr Robertson (Alexander Knox)gives a convincing performance as a man terrified of flying but more afraid of being seen to let his fear override his ideas of being dominated by superstition.This gripping story makes comparisons between the Eastern beliefs in dreams and omens and the Western culture's dismissive attitude to the same."There is no effect without cause" and this clever film has a way of persuading you that you are flying on the ill-fated Dakota instead of sitting comfortably in your armchair. An array of different characters and a fantastic supporting cast including the late Alfie Bass. Great story, superb direction from Leslie Norman, wonderful atmospheric music. In fact the perfect ingredients for a British classic thriller. Unforgettable film, a definite must watch. 10 stars. from Meryl Heasman (songwriter) CATFLAP MUSIC Kent England.