The Court Martial of Major Keller

The Court Martial of Major Keller is a 1961 British second feature ('B')[1] film directed by Ernest Morris and written by Brian Clemens. It stars Laurence Payne, Susan Stephen and Austin Trevor.[2] The film recounts the court martial for murder of Major Keller, a British army officer during the Second World War. He is charged with killing his superior officer, but remains silent, refusing to defend himself.[3]

The Court Martial of Major Keller
Directed byErnest Morris
Written byBrian Clemens
Produced byEdward J. Danziger
Harry Lee Danziger
StarringLaurence Payne
Susan Stephen
Ralph Michael
Richard Caldicot
CinematographyJames Wilson
Edited bySpencer Reeve
Music byBill LeSage
Production
company
Danziger Productions
Distributed byWarner-Pathé Distributors
Release date
  • 1961 (1961)
Running time
69 mins
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Cast

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Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A left-over from the series of 'B' pictures formerly made by the Danzigers, and ironically, somewhat superior to most of its predecessors. Though modest and presented without frills, it is capably acted, and commands enough standard courtroom tension to keep it going. The main weakness lies in the contrived ending."[4]

TV Guide gave the film two out of four stars, calling it an "occasionally interesting courtroom drama."[5]

References

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  1. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ^ "The Court Martial of Major Keller (1964)". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.
  3. ^ Hal Erickson. "The Court Martial of Major Keller (1961) - Ernest Morris - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. ^ "The Court Martial of Major Keller". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 31 (360): 91. 1 January 1964 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ "The Court Martial Of Major Keller". TVGuide.com.
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