BY LEE PFEIFFER
The Warner Archive has released the 1959 MGM film Libel, which was shot at the MGM British studios at Borehamwood. The movie is based on a play from the 1930s that was directed by Otto Preminger before he entered the realm of film directing. The story is a gripping one. Dirk Borgarde plays a British baronet, Sir Mark Loddon, who is living a life of privilege and leisure in a British manor house with his American wife Margaret (Olivia De Havilland) and their two children. Loddon does carry some psychological baggage from the war, however. He suffers from partial memory loss relating to his escape with two other men from a German POW camp near Dunkirk. During the escape, one of the men ended up dead, but Loddon can't remember precisely how. He is haunted by recurring mysterious nightmares that he suspects are tied in to the incident. His life is suddenly disrupted by the appearance of Jeff Buckenham (Paul Massie), the other survivor of the prison camp escape. He makes the shocking accustation that Loddon is not who he claims to be. He maintains Loddon is actually the man who allegedly died during the escape, a part-time actor in civilian life named Frank Welney (Bogarde in a dual role). Welney bore such a strong resemblance to Loddon that even fellow prisoners could not tell them apart. He makes the accusation that Welney made good on his occasional jovial threats to kill off Loddon and assume his identity and life.
This rather fanciful premise seems more appropriate for The Prisoner of Zenda or The Prince and the Pauper, but if you stick with the story, elements are introduced to make it almost appear as though it could be a logical occurrence. When Buckenham vows to avenge his murdered friend Loddon by going to the Fleet Street tabloids with the scandal, Margaret insists that Mark uphold the family honor by suing him and the newspaper for libel. Mark is reluctant to do so, saying he doesn't want to bring back bad memories of the war, but coerced by his wife, he files suit. Most of the film takes place inside the courtroom and makes for a very compelling legal-based thriller with unpredictable elements added every few minutes. In the process of the trial, even Loddon's wife begins to suspect he is an imposter. The cast is very impressive. In addition to fine performances by De Havilland, Bogarde and Massie, the film features two outstanding turns by old pros Wilfred Hyde-White and Robert Morley as prosecutor and defense attorney. Anthony Dawson also has a nice turn as a slimy cousin of Loddon's whose attempt to defend him in court is actually devised to undermine his case.
Libel is a literate, intelligent drama that recalls an era when British filmmaking produced these gems seemingly on a daily basis.
The DVD also features a somewhat over-the-top American release trailer.
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