Four in the Morning *** (1965, Ann Lynn, Judi Dench, Norman Rodway, Brian Phelan, Joe Melia) – Classic Movie Review 8158

Writer-director Anthony Simmons’s fresh and poignant 1965 British bitter-sweet drama Four in the Morning stars Ann Lynn, Judi Dench, Norman Rodway, Brian Phelan and Joe Melia.

An excellent cast of mostly British theatre players bring their talents to this intriguing B-feature about intertwining lives throughout a single night in London, as a young man (Phelan) dates a singer (Lynn) and an upset wife (Dench) awaits the return of her husband (Rodway). A drowned woman found in the river connects the two couples in crisis.

Four in the Morning is an unusual and interesting film from the period of kitchen sink realism in British cinema, with fine, compelling acting, moody black and white photography by Larry Pizer and an atmospheric score by John Barry.

It was the start of a glittering film career for stage star Dench, who won a BAFTA Film Award as Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles in her second film, aged 30.

Simmons won the Golden Sail at the Locarno International Film Festival (1965) for his feature.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8158

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