“Witnessing
a murder is a traumatic
enough event without facing the danger
of the killers knowing who you are and
ensuring that you have nowhere to hide,
as happens to the lead character in The
Innocent Sleep...” DOWN-AND-OUT ALAN TERRY (Rupert Graves: V For Vendetta) has found
shelter in an old warehouse near London's Tower Bridge after losing his
makeshift home elsewhere to an aggressive Scot known as Mac (Campbell Morrison),
when he is disturbed by a group of men who have abducted an Italian businessman,
Mr Lusano (Oliver Cotton).
Unable to do anything but watch helplessly, Alan witnesses a murder and is only
just able to escape with his own life. When he returns to his former shelter
to seek the help of his friend George (Graham Crowden), he sets off a chain
of events that takes the life of a close friend and it is the beginning of a
frantic race to save himself and to put the killers behind bars.
A friend's carelessness and a mix-up of identities threaten to put the killers
hot on Alan's heels, so who can he trust when he discovers that one of them
is a policeman? George's friend Billie Hayman (Annabella Sciorra), an American
journalist working in London, agrees to help Alan to confirm the evidence he
has against the murderers but the Police are insisting that Lusano committed
suicide and the two criminals who were part of the murder were supposed to have
already been behind bars. Alan knows better, but Billie has already indirectly
caused the death of an informant and he cannot afford to take chances.
With plenty of twists and turns, red herrings and close shaves, The Innocent
Sleep keeps you watching from start to finish. Good to see British stage
and screen legend Michael Gambon (Gosford Park) as a crooked policeman
who ruthlessly ties up all loose ends, leaving Alan with nowhere to run. And
Alan Terry is running scared — and fast losing confidence in the only person
who has access to the information he needs: Billie.
This gritty thriller is a shining example of British independent filmmaking
at its very best, a stylish new wave British film beautifully photographed and
compulsively Directed by Scott Michell and Produced by Matthew Vaughn (Lock,
Stock And Two Smoking Barrels). Filmed on location on the streets of London,
The Innocent Sleep is a must-see.
Also starring the irresistible Franco Nero as Cavani; Tony Bluto as Morgan Thorn;
Paul Brightwell as Pelham; Hilary Crowson as Sheila Terry; Dermot Kerrigan as
Willie; Katy Carr as Alice; Ken Ratcliffe as Stephens; Crispin Redman as Simon
and Peter Howell as Sir Frank, The Innocent Sleep is a well constructed,
proudly British thriller that hits all the right spots as it hooks you into
the Hitchcockian-style world of murder and betrayal where there is danger at
every step.
Music is by Mark Ayres; Director of Photography is Alan Dunlop; Executive Producer
is Rod Michell; Written by Ray Villis; Producers: Matthew Vaughn and Scott Michell;
Director is Scott Michell; The Soprano Soloist is Lesley Garrett; Music is Orchestrated
and Conducted by Nic Raine and Performed by The Chamber Orchestra Of London.
• This
gem from British independent film-making, the compelling and powerful The
Innocent Sleep, comes to DVD on 6 July (2009) courtesy of Bluebell Films
at a RRP of £9.99.
"The Innocent Sleep is a well constructed, proudly British thriller that
hits all the right spots as it hooks you into the Hitchcockian-style world of
murder and betrayal where there is danger at every step" — Maggie Woods,
MotorBar
“Witnessing
a murder is a traumatic