Director Basil Deardon returns to a racial tension theme in the murder mystery Sapphire. Dealing with the delicate topic as far back in 1953 with Pool of London, Sapphire approaches it with a lot more emphasis.
Sapphire Robbins is found murdered in a London park where further investigation reveals she was "colored" passing for white. In addition she was pregnant. Her boyfriend, a promising college student is an obvious suspect but Sapphire's dubious past offers up a fair share of others.
In attempting to solve matters the two detectives played by Nigel Patrick and James Craig must confront there own veiled bias and attitude in relationship to the crime. Craig in particular chafes around race while Patrick attempts to remain objectively professional. In doing so it gives Dearden the opportunity to show bigotry goes both ways as a well heeled and connected character played by Gordon Heath gives him a condescending going over.
Dearden's overall direction is a touch stilted in moments and a banal jazz score sensationalizes needlessly. The color photography is garish at times as well but the writers are to be commended for developing a story displaying predjudice in its many forms.
Sapphire Robbins is found murdered in a London park where further investigation reveals she was "colored" passing for white. In addition she was pregnant. Her boyfriend, a promising college student is an obvious suspect but Sapphire's dubious past offers up a fair share of others.
In attempting to solve matters the two detectives played by Nigel Patrick and James Craig must confront there own veiled bias and attitude in relationship to the crime. Craig in particular chafes around race while Patrick attempts to remain objectively professional. In doing so it gives Dearden the opportunity to show bigotry goes both ways as a well heeled and connected character played by Gordon Heath gives him a condescending going over.
Dearden's overall direction is a touch stilted in moments and a banal jazz score sensationalizes needlessly. The color photography is garish at times as well but the writers are to be commended for developing a story displaying predjudice in its many forms.