The Case of Charles Peace

The Case of Charles Peace (also known as The Trials of Charley Peace and Trials of Charles Peace) is a 1949 British crime film directed by Norman Lee and starring Michael Martin Harvey, Chili Bouchier and Valentine Dyall.^[1] The screenplay was by Lee and Doris Davison, based on the real-life Victorian murderer Charles Peace.^[2]

The Case of Charles Peace
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Norman Lee
Screenplay by	Norman Lee Doris Davison
Produced by	John Argyle
Starring	Michael Martin-Harvey Chili Bouchier Valentine Dyall Bruce Belfrage Ronald Adam
Cinematography	Exterior photography: Ted Wooldridge Moray Grant Jim Goding
Edited by	Charles Beaumont
Music by	Composed & arranged by: Guy Jones
Production company	Argyle British Productions
Distributed by	Monarch Film Corporation
Release date	30 June 1949 (1949-06-30) (UK)
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

The story of the nineteenth century burglar and murderer Charles Peace is told in flashback in a lecture by Sir Clement Barnes KC at Hendon Police College: Peace's murder of Arthur Dyson, his subsequent false identities, his career as a burglar, and his shooting of a policeman. For these crimes he is eventually arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by hanging.

Cast

• Michael Martin Harvey as Charles Peace
• Chili Bouchier as Katherine Dyson
• Valentine Dyall as Storyteller Sir Clement Barnes KC
• Bruce Belfrage as prosecution counsel Foster
• Ronald Adam as defence counsel Lockwood
• Roberta Huby as Sue Thompson
• Peter Forbes-Robertson as William Habron
• Kathleen Rooney as Mary
• Richard Shayne as Arthur Dyson
• Jean Shepeard as Hannah Peace
• John Kelly as Father O'Brien
• Peter Gawthorne as Mr. Justice Lopes
• Hamilton Deane as Mr. Justice Hawkins
• Robert McLachlan as Mr. Justice Lindley
• Gordon Court as Inspector Phillips
• Bartlett Mullins as Mr. Brion
• Rose Howlett as Mrs. Brion
• Liam Gaffney as Leresche
• Howard Douglas as Littlewood
• Edward Evans as Police Sergeant (uncredited)

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Apart from too many flashbacks within flashbacks, which are apt to confuse, this is a well-made, interesting and wholly absorbing film of an authentic story based on records of British justice. Much of the films success is due to Michael Martin-Harvey's brilliant characterisation of the eccentric, Jekyll and Hyde-like Peace. Chili Bouchier makes a successful come-back as Katherine, and heads an adequate supporting cast."^[3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Michael Martin-Harvey, mincing and menacing in turn, does a sound acting job as Charlie Peace. Chili Bouchier, Jean Shepeard and Roberta Huby are slightly less effective as Mrs. Dyson, Mrs. Peace and Sue Thompson, respectively."^[4]

Picture Show wrote: "Thoroughly entertaining within its modest limits is this reconstruction of the amazing career of Charles Peace ... Michael Martin-Harvey gives a compelling prformance as the sinister little man."^[5]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Good central performance holds the attention."^[6]