Two smug murderers throw a dinner party with the body still in the room. What could go wrong?
Writing
Hamilton's vicious dialogue cuts sharper than any weapon shown.
Acting
Milton's Cadell drips with sardonic charm that masks genuine moral horror.
Director
Dallas Bower
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This BBC version predates Hitchcock's 1948 Rope by nearly a decade, proving the play's irresistible tension works even without Technicolor and Jimmy Stewart. Hamilton's 1929 original was partly inspired by the Leopold and Loeb case.
The 'perfect murder' concept here isn't about detection—it's about performance. The killers want to be caught by someone worthy; Cadell's arrival is practically desired.
US
