I had never heard of Director John Paddy Carstairs, but on the strength of SLEEPING CAR TO TRIESTE, I have to rate him far above average. He manages to extract superlative performances across the board from an international cast of not particularly well known actors.
One of his main achievements is the atmosphere that he manages to inject into a train trip, and the merit of that has to be shared with the wonderful cameraman, Jack Hildyard, whose B&W photography is exquisite beyond words.
Derrick de Marney, a good but not overly talented actor best known for his part in Hitch's YOUNG AND INNOCENT (1937) was the only name I recognized in the cast. I must now add the names of Albert Lieven, Grégoire Aslan, Finlay Currie and, especially, Paul Dupuis as the consummate multi-language speaking detective Jolif, all pull off memorable performances.
Superb dialogue, logical and gripping script. Must-see masterpiece. 10/10
One of his main achievements is the atmosphere that he manages to inject into a train trip, and the merit of that has to be shared with the wonderful cameraman, Jack Hildyard, whose B&W photography is exquisite beyond words.
Derrick de Marney, a good but not overly talented actor best known for his part in Hitch's YOUNG AND INNOCENT (1937) was the only name I recognized in the cast. I must now add the names of Albert Lieven, Grégoire Aslan, Finlay Currie and, especially, Paul Dupuis as the consummate multi-language speaking detective Jolif, all pull off memorable performances.
Superb dialogue, logical and gripping script. Must-see masterpiece. 10/10