This film is about a series of murders that occur in a British hospital during the period in which V-1 rockets were cascading across the land (1943-44). The first person to die appears to have possibly died by natural causes, but when others begin to die in ways that make it seem like foul play, then the police are dispatched to untangle the mystery.

The Leonard Maltin guide loved this film as have many others who have reviewed the film, so I feel a bit sheepish in saying I only mildly liked this famous film. Why? Well, because although the last two thirds of the film is wonderfully exciting, it follows one of the silliest clichés in a murder mystery. It seems that one of the nurses in the operating room has somehow figured out how the first person was murdered, so then she behaves so bone-headed that I felt like screaming--after all, no one is THAT stupid!! At a hospital staff party, she loudly announces that the man was indeed murdered and she is sure who did it and the evidence as to how he was murdered is STILL in the operating room!!! That is indeed dumb--after all, why did she announce it to everyone and not the police?! But, to make things 1000 times worse, she then walks, alone, through the dark to the operating room. Not at all surprisingly, the murderer follows and creates victim #2. Why didn't she go to the room WITH others to be sure she would be able to safely retrieve the evidence?!?! With such a silly plot device, I just can't see how this film merits a 10 (or even a 9).

All this is sad, though, as apart from a terrible five minute stretch, the film is rather intelligently written and exceptionally well acted. Standout performances (particularly by Alistair Sim) are unfortunately undermined by the apparent brain lapse suffered by the writer.

Love murder mysteries, have always been fascinated by them since reading my first Agatha Christie novel ('And Then There Were None') aged twelve, and with such a great cast on paper 'Green for Danger' had the potential to be a real treat.

Potential that is more than lived up to, if falling slightly short of being surpassed. Not quite a masterpiece of murder and mystery, but for a comedy-mystery thriller it's very near to it and makes one sad that one doesn't see films like this now on the most part. It is a little on the slow side to begin with, picking up the pace from the revelation at the dance that leads to a second murder and especially when Alastair Sim appears midway. The motive for the first murder (the one for the second is easier to follow) comes from nowhere and is rather confusing for anybody, like me, who didn't remember anything like that being mentioned previously, also found it explained in too hasty a way.

However, 'Green for Danger' has an attention-grabbing opening line and the opening narration is the perfect way to draw the viewer in and set things up. It also ends with a very clever and amusing final line, and apart from the underwhelming motive the final twist is one of the most unexpected and most genius personally experienced in any film, was not expecting the murderer's real identity or the outcome.

There are some great scenes in between. Especially good was the suspenseful build up to the second murder, the suitably eerie photography and lighting helped, and the nail-biting tension created in the second murder itself, Inspector Cockrill's introduction and a tense rescue.

While 'Green for Danger' was very engaging for much of its length, much of the film flew by and made the most of the short running time, it particularly comes to life when Alastair Sim arrives on the scene and things get even better. It has been said that Sim steals the film and couldn't agree more. This is quintessential Sim and he is magnificent with his wry, witty line delivery, expressive eyes that tell so much, great energy and deliberately and deliciously contradictory body language (rarely does tremendous energy equal laziness and be so funny).

Rest of the cast also fare well. Trevor Howard plays it straight effectively and he plays an uneasy character with naturalness. Sally Gray is beguiling and charming and Judy Campbell, Rosamund John and Megs Jenkins also make a strong impression. Particularly impressive is Leo Genn, his ambiguity, bringing out very subtle shades of the heroic and the villainous, was perfect for a character that one is never sure whether to trust or not and it really deepened the mystery.

'Green for Danger's' mystery is a thoroughly engaging one, with a delicious dark wit and nail-biting tension in some scenes. It's complicated, with a lot of information being given mainly through dialogue, but rarely overly-so. The script has some wonderfully funny lines with Sim and is very thought-provoking elsewhere.

It's a great-looking film too, the photography and lighting are very stylish and rich in atmosphere. Standing out in particular is the build up to the second murder and the murder itself, which was terrifying even when one knows that it's going to happen. Sydney Gilliat directs beautifully, while William Alwyn's score is hauntingly ominous and jaunty.

Overall, a great film and a near-classic that is primarily to be seen for Sim. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Green For Danger is about a pair of murders that take place in a British hospital in post World War II Great Britain. One was a patient that died on the operating table, the other is of one of the attending nurses who says that she has evidence that the patient's death was indeed foul play. Unfortunately she's stabbed to death before revealing her evidence.

Scotland Yard sends Inspector Alastair Sim to investigate and he's got a closed set of operating suspects that include hospital staff, Sally Gray, Trevor Howard, Leo Genn, and Rosamund John. What could it all be about?

As is usual the motive is kind of far out, but as Sim says we're not dealing with a normal functioning mind here. Sim is the real show in Green For Danger, he's a British version of Lieutenant Columbo thirty years ahead of his time. He's constantly getting under foot and a real annoyance to the hospital staff. But he has a knack for ferreting out information.

Of course he does in the end find out the who and the why, but Sim does manage to fumble the arrest of his perpetrator in an unusual way. But as he says in the end it wasn't his best day on the job.

For those who like the droll characters portrayed by Alastair Sim on the screen, Green For Danger is a must for you.