The Mark (1961)

A man who served prison time for intent to molest a child tries to build a new life with the help of a sympathetic psychiatrist.

Director:

Guy Green

Writers:

Sidney Buchman, Charles E. Israel (novel),

Stars:

Maria Schell, Stuart Whitman, Rod Steiger

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maria Schell	...	Ruth Leighton
Stuart Whitman	...	Jim Fuller
Rod Steiger	...	Dr. Edmund McNally
Brenda de Banzie	...	Mrs. Cartwright
Donald Houston	...	Austin (reporter)
Donald Wolfit	...	Clive
Paul Rogers	...	Milne
Maurice Denham	...	Arnold Cartwright
Amanda Black	...	Janie
Marie Devereux	...	Ellen
Bill Foley	...	Mr. Fuller
Anne Monaghan	...	Mrs. Fuller
Josephine Frayne	...	Patricia
Eddie Byrne	...	Acker
Al Mulock	...	Convict

Storyline

This is the story of a 33 year old man, Jim Fuller, released from prison after serving a three year term for intent to commit child molestation. Fuller is assisted by the prison psychiatrist in obtaining a position. He does well in this position and falls in love with the secretary of the owner of the company. A child is molested and beaten in the town where he now lives and the police pick him up for questioning. He has an alibi and is released, but a reporter who covered his former trial recognizes him. The reporter begins to follow him and reports that Fuller spent time alone with the daughter of his girl friend.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | psychiatrist | reporter | daughter | molestation | 

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Taglines:

A film which doesn't 'protect' you from the truth!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 June 1961 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Gebrandmarkt

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buckman, Raymond Stross Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The lead role was originally intended for Richard Burton, who had to drop out because of a stage commitment.

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Connections

Referenced in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)

User Reviews

See this one and then see new Woodsman movie

This movie deals well with an unpopular but sadly common problem in our society. Child molestation is repulsive and rightfully condemned by society; but, short of executing the offenders, what can be done to prevent the offenders from harming others? Stuart Whitman plays the paroled molester as a very troubled man trying to control his sexual disease with the help of his psychiatrist (Rod Steiger)and also tries to establish a normal relationship with a mature woman (Maria Schell). There are very good performances in this movie by Whitman and Rod Steiger especially, with very good supporting performance from Maria Schell. It will be interesting to compare this movie with the new movie on the same subject starring Kevin Bacon as the paroled child molester.