Escape

 (UK - US)

By VARIETY STAFF

Associated Talking/RKO. Director Basil Dean; Producer Basil Dean; Screenplay Basil Dean; Camera Jack Mackenzie; Editor Milner Kitchin
 
Gerald Du Maurier
Edna Best
Mabel Poulton
Madeleine Carroll
Gordon Harker
Austin Trevor
 

The first of a series of films made in England in conjunction with RKO. As a play John Galsworthy's Escape was a hit, but the film suffers by being made mostly with stage players, who do not generally adapt themselves to the screen. This particularly applies to Gerald Du Maurier, who over-emphasizes everything.

It tells how a man is sentenced to five years for killing a policeman. The prisoner, perfect English gentleman, doesn't like being treated roughly and escapes.

In approved Galsworthy fashion, the film draws a long simile between a hunted prisoner and foxhunting. As propaganda against bloodsports the picture achieves a certain power.

Cast carries a long list of English stage and screen names, with only Du Maurier having a long role.

Basil Dean's direction is sympathetic; no more. Photography scores aces over the lot.

(B&W) Extract of a review from 1930. Running time: 70 MIN.