This film is more impressing the further into it you get. At first you find George Peppard's character rather revolting, as most of his later characters usually are, but gradually you get into his sense of reality, and the closer you get to know this very austere and cold-blooded police officer advocating death penalty, the more you must tend to give him the right.
The major subject of the film is the discussion and issue of the death penalty. A sexual murderer is released on insufficient evidence although everybody knows more than well what crimes he has committed and will be able to continue to commit, but no one can deny him the very natural and basic human right of a lawyer. Even the lawyer has problems with him, but since he is the best of lawyers he gets him out, and he is free to start all over again as he pleases, if he pleases.
Of course his highest wish is to take out his revenge on his number one enemy, the police officer who remained relentless in his case insisting on capital punishment, but he never dreamed of putting George Peppard into such a jam as he eventually finds himself into without anyone intending it.
Jean Seberg can make any film priceless for her presence, and so she does here as the wife, and the only thing you regret about this film is that you were not allowed to see more of her.
It's an ace of thrillers, one of the best in the 60s, and only a top rate is possible.
The major subject of the film is the discussion and issue of the death penalty. A sexual murderer is released on insufficient evidence although everybody knows more than well what crimes he has committed and will be able to continue to commit, but no one can deny him the very natural and basic human right of a lawyer. Even the lawyer has problems with him, but since he is the best of lawyers he gets him out, and he is free to start all over again as he pleases, if he pleases.
Of course his highest wish is to take out his revenge on his number one enemy, the police officer who remained relentless in his case insisting on capital punishment, but he never dreamed of putting George Peppard into such a jam as he eventually finds himself into without anyone intending it.
Jean Seberg can make any film priceless for her presence, and so she does here as the wife, and the only thing you regret about this film is that you were not allowed to see more of her.
It's an ace of thrillers, one of the best in the 60s, and only a top rate is possible.