An Honourable Murder

An Honourable Murder is a 1960 British second feature ('B')^[1] drama film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Norman Wooland, Margaretta Scott and Lisa Daniely.^[2][3] It was written by Brian Clemens and Eldon Howard and produced by The Danzigers.

An Honourable Murder
DVD cover
Directed by	Godfrey Grayson
Written by	Brian Clemens Eldon Howard
Produced by	Edward J. Danziger Harry Lee Danziger
Starring	Norman Wooland Margaretta Scott Lisa Daniely
Cinematography	James Wilson
Edited by	Desmond Saunders
Music by	Albert Elms Leon Young
Production company	Danziger Productions
Distributed by	Warner-Pathé Distributors
Release date	9 May 1960 (1960-05-09)
Running time	69 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

It is a modern reworking of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar set in the corporate world of the City of London.

Cast

• Norman Wooland as Brutus Smith
• Margaretta Scott as Claudia Caesar
• Lisa Daniely as Paula
• Douglas Wilmer as Cassius
• Philip Saville as Mark Anthony
• John Longden as Julian Caesar
• Marion Mathie as Portia Smith
• Colin Tapley as Casca
• Kenneth Edwards as Trebon
• Arnold Bell as Ligar

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The idea of slotting Shakespeare's Julius Caesar into a big-business melodrama fails to generate much tension, partly through laggardly development, partly because the acting is too undistinguished to create its own conviction. The whole thing, especially the ending, cannot avoid seeming glib and contrived for its own sake. Nevertheless, for a Danziger production, this second feature has a certain novelty interest."^[4]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture's leading characters' names are, it will be observed, borrowed from Shakespeare, but its tale definitely has topicality. Norman Wooland contributes a moving performance as the conscience-stricken Brutus; Philip Saville convinces as the loyal Mark; Douglas Wilmer registers as the shifty Cassius; and Lisa Daniely and Marion Mathie display genuine feeling as Paula and Portia. Its distaff side is never sold short, there are tense moments and its ending is highly dramatic, if a trifle pat. The Financial Times and Woman in one, it's definitely a sound speculation."^[5]

Picture Show wrote: "Average entertalnment."^[6]

Leslie Halliwell said: "Not entirely successful, but full marks for trying."