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This is a stalwart attempt to produce an example of British Noir, its screenplay reducing its importance. Distributed by Columbia, this work based upon a novel by Mervyn Mills was well received in England, due in large part to popularity of its principal female player, Diana Dors, whose skill as actress stands and falls solely upon her physical attributes. Victor Mature portrays Harry Miller, an American soldier who, after his discharge in Germany, moves to England with wife Connie (Gene Anderson) and son since his spouse rejects all attempts to return to the United States with his new family. Harry finds employment, through an uncle of his wife, as a truck driver, his occupation in military service, and carries out his duties with diligence, but tension increases for the married pair because of Connie's determination to remain in England near her family. Harry's strained home life makes him vulnerable to a liaison with Lynn (Dors), girl friend of illicit marketeer Joe Easy (Patrick Allen) and the ex-G.I. soon forsakes his honour by becoming embroiled in smuggling operations with Easy. The script written by director Ken Hughes is hackneyed as Hughes relies upon melodrama at the expense of character development, as evidenced by his often trite dialogue. Not surprisingly then the most interesting action takes place during scenes requiring little discussion, when Harry, Joe and Lynn are struggling to maneuver a large fur-laden rig across rocky expanses in the Scottish Highlands to rendezvous with an anchored vessel. Mature makes the best of his lines, giving an earnest performance but acting honours go to Allen with his consistent reading as Harry's dishonest boss and rival for Lynn's affection, while good turns are given by Liam Redmond and John Welsh; Dors is barely adequate, until she speaks. Suitably atmospheric jazzy scoring by Trevor Duncan and Basil Emmott's fluid camerawork are impressive, along with skillful contributions from Raymond Poulton (editing) and John Hoesli (sets), all sadly minimized due to a banal scenario.
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