Thomas Crimmins (Patrick McGoohan) is a new guard at Mountjoy, an Irish prison. He is young and idealistic and determined to serve his country by meting out justice to criminals (his job involves assisting at executions).
His superior, Regan (Walter Macken), however, realises that even prisoners are human beings and is sick of the “eye-for-an-eye” attitude that leads the state to execute condemned men.
Crimmins begins to see that not all is black and white in his new world, and when he becomes involved with Kathleen (Sylvia Syms), the wife of one of the condemned men – the “quare fellow” who remains unseen throughout the film – his attitude begins to change.
When new evidence arises to suggest that Kathleen’s husband may not deserve his fate, Crimmins is torn between his duty and his humanity.
The atmosphere is depressing but the performances are wonderful, and the film is remarkably unsentimental and wholly just in its argumentative implications.
The prison scenes were filmed at Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol, which is no longer operational.
Thomas Crimmin
Patrick McGoohan Kathleen
Sylvia Syms Regan
Walter Macken Donnelly
Dermot Kelly Chief Warder
Jack Cunningham Holy Healy
Hilton Edwards Prison Governor
Philip O’Flynn Doctor Flyn
Leo McCabe Lavery
Norman Rodway Mrs O’Hara
Marie Kean Mickser’s Wife
Pauline Delaney Mickser
Robert Bernal Poet
Joseph O’Donnell Meg
Agnes Bernelle Minna
Iris Lawler Jenkinson
Brian Hewitt-Jones Silvertop
Aubrey Morris Flaherty
Eamonn Brennan Kelly
Gerry Alexander Walsh
T.P. McKenna Dunlavin
Harry Brogan O’Connor
James Caffrey Cleary
John Cowley Carroll
John Welsh Clancy
Frank O’Donovan O’Shaughnessy
Desmond O’Neill Lavery’s Assistant
Celia Salkeld
His superior, Regan (Walter Macken), however, realises that even prisoners are human beings and is sick of the “eye-for-an-eye” attitude that leads the state to execute condemned men.
