SAPPHIRE

UK, 1959, 92 minutes, Colour.
Nigel Patrick, Yvonne Mitchell, Michael Craig, Paul Massie, Bernard Miles, Olga Lindo, Earl Cameron.
Directed by Basil Dearden.

Sapphire was a very distinctive film of 1960 – winning the BAFTA award for best film. It is about racism in the United Kingdom. To that extent, it is as topical in later decades as it was in its time, given the variety of migrants, refugees and illegals coming into the United Kingdom for more than half a century.

This film is set in London, an investigation into the murder of a pregnant young woman who was of mixed race. Nigel Patrick and Michael Craig, very strong leading actors of the period, portray the police. There is also a very strong performance by Yvonne Mitchell who has the ability to create atmosphere of tension, even hatred. There is a good supporting cast with Paul Massie and Bernard Miles. Earl Cameron, a black actor of many British films of the period, appears as a doctor.

The film was directed by Basil Dearden. Dearden had begun the 1950s with films like The Blue Lamp and Pool of London, focusing on social issues. In 1952 he made The Gentle Gunman about Ireland and the IRA. After Sapphire he also made The League of Gentlemen but received great commendation for his film victim and Life for Ruth which raised issues of homosexuality as well as capital punishment in English society.

1. Was this an enjoyable fim? Its impact as a murder story, as a film about race relationships?

2. How successful was the film on the murder mystery level? The initial presentation of the murder, the line up of suspects, both white and black, the clues that were offered eg David's searching for the doll's leg, the detail of the police work and following up clues, the final confrontation of the murderer? Why are murder mysteries always interesting and absorbing?

3. What were the basic attitudes of the film on racism? On racism in general? On white attitudes towards black? Black attitudes towards white? The quick question of mixed blood and passing for white?

4. What did the film have to say about racism and hatred? The murder as one of hatred and the intensity of a racial hatred? Was this convincingly portrayed by the Harrises? (By any of the black characters?) How important was the personality of Sapphire in the film? The fact that she was only glimpsed dead or in photos? Our knowledge of Sapphire and changes, attitudes? Basic sympathy? The question of her pregnancy? The fact thaf she was black and passing for white? The importance of Dr Robbins first appearance? As an ordinary girl, unsuspecting, a student? the attitude of the Harrises in her passing for white? The attitude of the black characters in her passing for white? Why did they condemn her? Was she to blame in this? Why? The story of her discovery of being able to pass for white?

5. The importance of the Harris household for the impact of the film: as an ordinary English family, the nature of their bigotry, the effect on Mildred and the children, Mr Harris's ambitions for David, his answering for David and living his life? Mildred said to be like her father? The impact of Sapphire's revelation to them and their response? Their behaviour to Dr. Robbins? The impact of the truth on the whole family?

6. Did the film, make it credible that the shock about Sapphire would drive Mildred to murder? What kind of person was she? As portrayed in the film - her husband, children, father, ambitions for David etc?

7. Was David a credible character? As a suspect for Sapphire's murder? Being driven by his father and rebelling against him? His love for Sapphire and for the child? Balancing his love for Sapphire against his career?

8. The importance of the black characters, in the film ? the relationsnip between Sapphire and Slade, Slade’s bishop father, the Tulip Club and her dancing there, Johhny Fiddle and the dancing and his background of his being chased and fight from the time when Sapphire was murdered?

9. How typical of English police were the the Leeds? Hazard as efficient and ordinary? Learoid as ordinary? Their work as police? Their attitudes towards race questions? Learoid's automatic racism? His being put down by the doctor? His change of attitudes at the end? His relationship with Dr. Robbins?

10.The nature of black prejudice - Bishop Slade’s not liking Sapphire because she was part white? The black couple not helping Johnny Fiddle becauag he was black trash etc? Were the black characters presented too grimly or were they presented fairly?

11.Comment on the effectiveness of the clues, the locations, how did the whole story seem real? Was this important for audience impact?

12. The use of jazz and the rythms as backgrounds for the film? The talk about black personalities responding to rythms?

13. How satisfactory was the ending - was it too didactic? Or was it satisfying for this film?