A ★★★½ review of Life for Ruth (1962) (original) (raw)

★★★½

bbbgtoby’s review published on Letterboxd:

Dearden continues his run of social problem pictures, following up race relations in Sapphire and open homosexuality in Victim, Life for Ruth sees him direct with great care and sensitivity a film that discusses science vs religion vs the law of the country with the emotive subject of the death of a child thanks to a belief that blood transfusions are against the will of the father's chosen god.

It's an incredibly difficult subject to present in a neutral and fair manner and I found it very tough to remove my own beliefs from my reaction to Dearden's film of Janet Green's play but the skill of the presentation is surely in that it makes you at the very least understand the opposing point of view and never preaches despite the inevitable court case in the final act.

This is yet another reason why Dearden should be considered one of the greats of British cinematic history.