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Sapphire

Sapphire

Mystery · Crime · Thriller · 1959

Two Scotland Yard detectives investigate the murder of a young woman of mixed race who had been passing for white. As they interview a spate of suspects -- including the girl's white boyfriend and his disapproving parents -- the detectives wade through a stubbornly entrenched sludge of racism and bigotry.

Movie details

Sapphire

“The sensational story of a girl who didn't belong.”

1959 Mystery · Crime · Thriller 1h 32m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.0 / 10

Community rating

Two Scotland Yard detectives investigate the murder of a young woman of mixed race who had been passing for white. As they interview a spate of suspects -- including the girl's white boyfriend and his disapproving parents -- the detectives wade through a stubbornly entrenched sludge of racism and bigotry.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Sapphire?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Basil Dearden

Written by

Janet Green

Nigel Patrick

Nigel Patrick

Superintendent Robert Hazard

Michael Craig

Michael Craig

Inspector Phil Learoyd

Yvonne Mitchell

Yvonne Mitchell

Mildred

Paul Massie

Paul Massie

David Harris

Bernard Miles

Bernard Miles

Ted Harris

Olga Lindo

Olga Lindo

Mrs. Harris

Earl Cameron

Earl Cameron

Dr. Robbins

Court is in session

Put Sapphire on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.