The Mark of Cain

The Mark of Cain is directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and adapted to screenplay by Christianna Brand and Francis Crowdy from the novel Airing in a Closed Carriage written by Joseph Shearing (alias Marjorie Bowen). It stars Eric Portman, Sally Gray, Patrick Holt, James Hayter and Dermot Walsh. Music is by Bernard Stevens and cinematography by Erwin Hillier.

1898 and two brothers fall for the same woman. Jealousy, betrayal and murder do follow...

You don't know what harm gossip can do.

Cain and Able gets a Victorian period make over in Brian Hurst's atmospheric picture. Shot through with low lights and shadows, with lamps and Gothic sunlight filtered via a noir colander, the pessimistic mood of plotting is evident from the very first frame. Everything is geared to making Sarah Bonheur (Gray) feel closed in, that as she follows her heart into the arms and home of the Howard brothers, her world is a maze of emotional turmoil that will ultimately see her on trial for her life.

At your feet? Not this side of eternity.

It all builds wonderfully well, with the Howard brothers firmly establishing their respective faults and peccadilloes, then jealousy rears its head and we switch to a murder and the vagaries of fate conspiring to frame the wrong person. Cue court case, dramatics and a time for heroes and villains to dominate proceedings. Hillier's photography, Stevens' music and Portman's ebullient performance seal the deal for this to be regarded as a forgotten little British slice of Gothicanna most foul. 7/10