Beautiful, moving film.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Edward Dmytryk directed this British film Obsession during his exile years in the United Kingdom and was fortunate to have Robert Newton in the lead. As the cheated upon husband Newton who could chew up the scenery when let loose gets a firm directorial hand. His performance here is really brilliant because it is so carefully controlled.Newton is married to Sally Gray who isn't all that subtle with her affairs. But this one with American Phil Brown is just one too many. He takes Brown prisoner and locks him in a dungeon in one of the bombed out buildings of London at the time. There he keeps Brown on a chain like a dog, but when Gray's pet terrier Monty follows Newton to the dungeon and has to be kept there, it's the missing dog that proves to be the mistake Newton didn't count on.I have to say that Newton did have a meticulously conceived plan for the murder and that he did have a reason other than sadism for keeping him alive for weeks until he was ready to do the deed.Like Dmytryk, Brown was also a victim of the blacklist and glad to be working over there. His American speech pattern and idiom also contributes to Newton's downfall.Kudos also go to Naunton Wayne as the Scotland Yard police inspector who pursues this investigation with Columbo like intensity. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the Columbo character was inspired by Obsession and Naunton Wayne.This is one top drawer British noir feature.

Obscure British Crime Film Directed by Blacklisted Edward Dmytryk, as He Exiled Across the Pond. The Superb Acting by All Four Leads Coupled with a Dry, British Upper Lip Script and Bare Bones Production make this a Hidden Gem.Owing Much to Hitchcock and Film-Noir it isn't as Good as the Best of Either Hitch or Noir. The Movie is Entertaining and is One of those Stories that is So Popular in Detective Fiction, The Perfect Murder.Suspenseful Cat and Mouse, or in this case Cat and Dog, Film that is Well Crafted All Around with some Detail and a Gruesome Underbelly. It is Witty, Diabolical, and yet has a Calmness Under Stress and that British Way of being Respectful while the World Shrinks and Crumbles all Around.Overall American Audiences used to More Extremism and Expressionism in Their Crime and Noir Films Might Find this a bit too Calculating and Slow, but that is Part of its Offbeat Charm and is as Good as Any from 1940's and 50's British Crime Cinema.

Yes this chiller is now available (as at 22/3/14) on the above web site which thus saves viewers the cost & time tracking down a DVD copy.I cannot add to the praise of all the other user comments for this film which I have just seen for the first time.Of course the film censor morality code was omnipresent in 1949 and I waited inevitably for Robert Newton to get his comeuppance, although Edward Dmytrk had a surprise twist at the end of this tale.I was especially envious of the good doctor's "O" guage model railway set in his basement as purchase tax was ruinous then what with the massive war debt we in the UK owed and had to service to the USA after WWII, especially on imported luxurious goods.I gave it a healthy 8/10.

Successful psychiatrist Robert Newton (Clive) is fed up of his wife Sally Gray (Storm) and her philandering ways. He's got business to attend to and it involves her latest lover Phil Brown (Bill). Newton calmly says to Brown - "Have you ever heard of the straw that broke the camel's back? Well,......it's you" - before putting his pre-meditated plan into action. Superintendent Naunton Wayne (Finsbury) turns up about halfway through the film to try and figure things out.The film is a battle of wits between everyone involved and it makes for entertaining viewing. The film grips you from the start and doesn't let go. Robert Newton starts off as completely likable and delivers some great dialogue in his calm and controlled manner. I totally sympathized with him but I'm not sure I was meant to. He is that appealing. I did gradually swing round to Phil Brown's side, though, after all, Newton is crackers! Great scenes, great locations, great acting and a clever dog. There are unexpected plot twists but the ending is slightly ambiguous. I went for the interpretation that sees Sally Gray stay in character, ie, a tart.