Impact / Serena DVD

Double bill of 1960s crime noir dramas directed by Peter Maxwell.

Impact (1962)
Jack Moir (Conrad Phillips of William Tell fame), a newspaper reporter, is framed by 'The Duke' (George Pastell), a Soho racketeer against whom he has written a series of articles. Moir serves a two year sentence and then, with the help of his cell-mate, Charlie (John Rees), he lures 'The Duke' and his gang into Charlie's warehouse... A very good Butchers B feature that Conrad Phillips also co-wrote. Its also nice to see that Mike Pratt of Randall and Hopkirk is the detective in charge of the case. The film has good quality picture and sound following extensive restoration.

Serena (1963)
Scotland Yard Inspector Gregory (Patrick Holt) strives to solve the mystery of an artist's wife found shot dead at an isolated Surrey cottage. The victim's husband, suave Howard Rogers (Emrys Jones), becomes the chief suspect. The mystery takes a complex turn when Rogers goes to identify her, but due to the gunshot wound her face is unrecognisable.

However, when he inspects her body for an acknowledged birthmark he realises the body is not that of his wife... This 1962 Butchers production demonstrates again how Butchers were able to put together a good British B movie with a modest budget. The cast is the reliable Patrick Holt, Emrys Jones and Honor Blackman already enjoying success in The Avengers and two years later was Pussy Galore in Goldfinger.

Shot on location and at Shepperton Studios its a story of death and deception nicely directed by Peter Maxwell with some 'newsy' type pan and zooms. The Director of Photography was Stephen Dade who created some good stark atmospheres he went on in 1964 to be D.O.P. on Zulu. Serena is a good British b flick with picture and sound of good quality.


  None specified

Patrick Holt, Honor Blackman, John Horsley, Wally Patch, Peter Glaze, Emrys Jones, Bruce Beeby, Conrad Phillips, Mike Pratt, John Rees, Ballard Berkeley, George Pastell

  Peter Maxwell

  121 mins

  1962 / 1963



  None specified

  English

  1

  2 - will only play on UK / European DVD player or multi region player

  Usually despatched within 5 working days

£11.97