The Weak and The Wicked

Opening in a women’s prison Jean Raymond (Glynis Johns) has been given twelve months for a very middle-class fraud caused by her gambling addiction. Though as the film goes on the facts become clearer. Journeying with her is Betty Brown (Diana Dors) whose away for two years and a far more serious crime.

As the two make their way through the prison system over the period the film, director J. Lee Thompson and writer Joan Henry (on whose book and experiences the film is based) depict the harsh realities of the system of the day.

That meant humiliation at the hands of the guard, rivalries with other inmates a spell in the hospital, and a chance at rehabilitation.

By todays standards, this could be seen as fairly tame and very clipped; looking like it was translated direct from the stage. However there are some genuine shocking moments in particular the treatment of pregnant prisoners and their babies.

The film has series of vignettes that tell the story of the main protagonists and other criminals. It’s a useful mechanism though the sequence that features Sid James and his crime family, is bizarre and a touch out of step. It recalled the phrase used by the judge in the opening credits of Porridge when describing Fletcher’s attitude to crime “You are a habitual criminal who accepts punishment in the same casual manner.”

Based on real life experiences this clearly provided some valuable insight into a prison system that at the time, appeared at a quandary as to what it was for: punish or rehabilitate, or both.

The other essential element is that for all the insight and finger pointing, The Weak and The Wicked works very well as a drama. Allowing that acting techniques have changed and the clipped tones of the warders coming over as schoolmistresses, there is a lot to like. With some excellent performances from the two leads and in the hospital and maternity sequences where the actors are much more natural ensuring that part much is much more effective.

Special Features:
• New From Entrapment to Matthew Sweet in conversation
• New From Book to Film: Melanie Williams on Joan Henry
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Original Trailer

The Weak and the Wicked will premiere at Bristol’s Cinema Rediscovered Festival (24-28 July) and will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from 5 August 2024