One of many cheap thrillers knocked out by Butcher's Films during the early 1960s, and it's no surprise to find that the ubiquitous Francis Searle directed this one. FREEDOM TO DIE is a surprisingly professional little crime thriller that utilises a handful of small sets to tell an intriguing tale of crime and retribution.

The horribly slimy Paul Maxwell plays a con who gets released from prison and comes looking for a stash of stolen loot. An assortment of small-time crooks and cops stand in his way, while Felicity Young gives the film's best performance as the young woman he tangles with. T. P. McKenna (STRAW DOGS) also shows up here, looking very young, while poor Kay Callard is forced to swan around in a negligee for 90% of her screen time.

Anyhow, FREEDOM TO DIE is a brisk little thing with some good suspense sequences and a left-field ending which is bizarre in its abruptness. And for a film facing the double whammy of Butcher's and Searle, it's a lot better than it has any right to be, too.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Craig Owen is an incarcerated criminal whose cellmate holds the secret to the valuable contents within a safe deposit box.

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Hazel Court, Griffith Jones, and Zena Marshall in The Scarlet Web (1954)

Dianne Foster, Jean Kent, and Mark Stevens in The Big Frame (1952)

John Ireland and Susan Stephen in Return of a Stranger (1961)

John Le Mesurier and Conrad Phillips in Dangerous Cargo (1954)

Diana Dors in Tread Softly Stranger (1958)

Freedom to Die

Photos1

Top Cast11

User reviews7

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed