''The Hand'' is a 1960 British horror film directed by

Henry Cass Henry Cass (24 June 1903 – 15 March 1989) was a British director, particularly prolific in film in the horror and comedy genres. Previously an actor, he was also a prolific stage director of classical theatre at the Old Vic in the 1930s. In 19 ...

and written by

Ray Cooney Raymond George Alfred Cooney, OBE (born 30 May 1932) is an English playwright, actor, and director. His biggest success, '' Run for Your Wife'' (1983), ran for nine years in London's West End and is its longest-running comedy. He has had 17 ...

and Tony Hilton. The film is memorable for its nightmarish premise and opening scene that belies its censorship certificate.

Plot

The story begins during the

Burma Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...

campaign (mislabeled as '1946'), in which three captured British soldiers are threatened with torture if they refuse to divulge military information. Two refuse and have their hands chopped off. Some time later, in post-War London, a gentleman of the night is found with his hand surgically removed and £500 in his pockets. This begins a criminal investigation, returning the plot to the opening situation.

Cast

Derek Bond Derek William Douglas Bond MC (26 January 1920 – 15 October 2006) was a British actor. He was President of the trade union Equity from 1984 to 1986. Life and career Bond was born on 26 January 1920 in Glasgow, Scotland. He attended Haberd ...

as Roberts / Roger Crawshaw *

Ronald Leigh-Hunt Ronald Leigh-Hunt (5 October 1920 – 12 September 2005) was a British film and television actor. His father was a stockbroker and he attended the Italia Conti Academy. He began acting whilst serving in the army. Though never a major star, he ...

as Inspector Munyard *

as Sgt. David Pollitt *

Reed De Rouen Reed De Rouen (10 June 1917 – 11 June 1986) was an American actor and screenwriter who worked mostly in the British film and television industry. He appeared in the ''Doctor Who'' serial '' The Gunfighters'' in 1966 as Pa Clanton, as well as wri ...

as Michael John Brodie *

Bryan Coleman Bryan Coleman (29 January 1911 – 4 July 2005) was a British film actor and television actor. In 1954 he appeared in William Douglas Home's comedy ''The Manor of Northstead'' in the West End. Selected filmography * '' Conquest of the Air'' ...

as George Adams *

Walter Randall Walter Randall (26 June 1929 – 5 May 2006) was a British dancer turned actor with numerous roles in British television, including parts in '' The Saint'', '' Out of This World'', ''Yes Minister'', '' The Professionals'' and '' Dixon of Dock Gr ...

as Japanese commander * Tony Hilton as Police Sgt. Paul Foster * Harold Scott as Charlie Taplow * Gwenda Ewen as Nurse Johns * Michael Moore as Dr. Metcalfe * Ronald Wilson as Doctor *

Garard Green Garard Green (31 July 1924 – 26 December 2004) was a British actor and commentator. Green was born in Madras, India in 1924 where his father was superintendent of the government press. When his father died in 1933 the family returned to t ...

as Dr. Simon Crawshaw * Jean Dallas as Nurse Geiber * David Blake Kelly as Jay Marshall * Reginald Hearne as Noel Brodie * Madeleine Burgess as Mrs. Brodie

Critical reception

''Britmovie'' wrote, "this Ray Cooney scripted post-war revenge thriller opens promisingly enough but soon all tension and mystery is lost due to the predictable plot development and clumsy editing" ; while ''Unseen Films'' wrote, "this is a neat little film that never fully makes 100% sense...I liked this movie a great deal. It's far from perfect, but it does hold your attention."

References

External links

* 1960 films British horror films Films directed by Henry Cass 1960 horror films Films shot at Nettlefold Studios 1960s English-language films 1960s British films {{1960s-horror-film-stub