4K Ultra HD Review – Break in the Circle (1955)

      **Break in the Circle, 1955**

      Directed by Val Guest.

      Starring: Forrest Tucker, Eva Bartok, Eric Pohlmann, Fred Johnson, Arnold Marlé, Guy Middleton, Reginald Beckwith, Marius Goring.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      An adventurer is contracted by a German millionaire to assist a Polish scientist in fleeing to the West. Captain Skip Morgan (Forrest Tucker), a boat-owning adventurer—essentially a smuggler—resides in a Cornish fishing village, earning his living by undertaking various tasks for money. When Major Hobart (Guy Middleton), who is excessively polite, approaches him to take on a job for wealthy Baron Keller (Marius Goring), involving the transport of a Polish scientist from East Germany to the West, the brash American finds that things are not as simple as they appear.

      Filmed in London, Hamburg, the coastal village of Polperro, and Bray Studios, Break in the Circle has the aura of an international crime thriller, with Skip Morgan alternating between boats and cars, all while facing armed confrontations and dubious scientific inquiries. However, the script fails to maintain the tension as Morgan travels from one locale to another with a level of familiarity akin to an unseasoned James Bond—many people seem to recognize him, which complicates a covert operation aimed at liberating a renowned scientist possessing a revolutionary fuel formula from post-WWII Berlin, subsequently provoking the suspicion of several European authorities who are wary of Americans appearing unexpectedly.

      Forrest Tucker brings energy to his role as a charming rogue with good intentions, yet he appears somewhat out of place in the bleak post-war European backdrop. With a script that at times feels padded and contrived, a significant burden is placed on him to keep the momentum going, rendering Break in the Circle less thrilling than its premise suggests. The supporting cast consists of familiar pre-Gothic Hammer actors, all delivering their lines adequately, yet the overall direction lacks vitality and inspiration, leaving much of the material underutilized. Nevertheless, the presence of Kim Novak as Skip’s love interest, Lisa, does bring some energy to the screen.

      Conversely, the film's unusual Eastmancolor visuals do not enhance the experience. Break in the Circle was Hammer's second feature in color following Men of Sherwood Forest from the previous year. While the latter was vibrant with greens and reds, this film appears quite dull and uneven, with some scenes clearer than others, occasionally resembling old fifth-generation VHS footage inserted without proper remastering. Despite Hammer’s limitations with the source material, the quality of this 4K UHD release does not significantly improve upon the already murky Blu-ray image.

      However, since it is a Hammer production, the package includes more than just the film. Even if Break in the Circle lacks impressive qualities on its own, the additional materials provide value. The 4K UHD disc and two standard Blu-rays feature the widescreen UK theatrical version, the ‘As Filmed’ version, and the US theatrical version in black-and-white, which may be preferable given the poor quality of the color version.

      Also included are separate audio commentaries for each version, a short featurette on Hammer's filming experiences in Cornwall, another on their work in Berlin, alongside stills and publicity materials. The standout of this collection is the 95-minute documentary Eurocrime, which delves into Hammer's exploration of European crime thrillers, featuring insights from Barry Forshaw, Sergio Angelini, and Laura Mayne. If the main feature underwhelms, this addition compensates and provides a different perspective on a genre in which Hammer is not frequently recognized.

      Overall, this film is primarily aimed at Hammer enthusiasts and collectors. Following Men of Sherwood Forest and Third Party Risk, and arriving at a time when Hammer was beginning to shift toward U.S. sci-fi influences, Break in the Circle feels like a transitional piece, filling a gap while the studio seeks a new direction. That shift would come later in the year with The Quatermass Xperiment and X the Unknown in 1956, marking Break in the Circle as their last (for now) foray into crime thrillers before the horror genre took precedence in 1957, although they would produce a few more dramas beforehand. It is unfortunate that it concludes this attempt on a rather dull and unremarkable note.

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      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★**

      Chris Ward