Based on the real life "Red Barn Murder" of 1827, which was something of a sensation at the time that led to a well-publicized trial / execution, popular stage plays and even merchandising of murder scene memorabilia (!), this also introduced film-goers to British (over)actor Tod Slaughter, who'd first made a name for himself playing villains on stage before transitioning over to quota quickies, starting with this low- budget effort. In the small village of Polstead, naive farmer's daughter Maria Marten (Sophie Stewart) is torn between two men; Carlos (Eric Portman) and Squire William Corder (Slaughter). Though Carlos is a gentleman truly in love with Maria, he's also a poor gypsy with low social standing in the community. The Squire, on the other hand, is a respectable magistrate. Maria unwisely chooses the latter option, little realizing the type of guy she's really getting involved with. When she finds herself pregnant, Corder - who has racked up some major gambling debt - rejects her and instead plans to marry a socialite because he'll be getting a large dowry in the process. Maria's father (D.J. Williams) finds out about the pregnancy and kicks her out of the house, forcing her to turn to Corder for help. Instead, he lures her into a barn, shoots her and then buries her. Corder attempts to use Carlos as a scapegoat, but unfortunately he dropped the murder weapon into the grave with the body...I read up on the real case before watching and this actually does seem to stick with the basic facts, though the motive and certain other details have been altered. The performances are pretty good (Slaughter only hams it up in a couple of isolated scenes) and it's well made; albeit entirely predictable. Instead of the usual medium static shots and long takes typical of most low budget films from this time, this surprisingly has a good number of close-ups shots, which are smoothly edited with the master shots. It's also noteworthy for being a bit seedier than what one would see in most Hollywood productions from the era. The heroine isn't some virginal innocent (though apparently she's depicted here as being much more wholesome than the real Maria), but this also has some dialogue ("You think I'd soil my hands with a common village slut?") that'll have you raising your eyebrows.

BEWARE: SPOILERS ABOUND!! Not a perfect film, but moments are absolutely incredible. Talk about being ahead of your censors in 1935.The story is one that the censors at the time probably would not want to have told. An older man (played by Slaughter) has a "one night stand" with a woman who looks at least twenty years his junior (the character of Maria Marten). He promises the young girl marriage, but on the brink of ruin, decides to marry a rich woman instead. A few months later, Maria finds she's pregnant, and unable to hide the fact anymore. Her father reacts, in perfect melodramatic fashion, by turning her out into the streets. Maria forces Slaughter into a compromising position, and what's left to do? But kill her of course! The rest IS the story.Now, with that behind us, let me say this story is predictable, the direction for the most part is simple, the acting melodramatic, and the sound engineering is sub par. So now you ask yourself, why did I give the film 9/10 rating? The answer is simple: SLAUGHTER. Simply because of his perfect execution of the oft-overlooked performances of magnificent melodramatic villainy.The scene with the burial of Maria Marten made me realize that George King's lackluster direction may have all been a set-up for this scene. It's not extraordinary, it simply establishes a perfect atmosphere for Slaughter's performance. This scene is only seconded by the "digging up" scene that comes later, where Slaughter really bares his acting chops!Really worth seeing for Slaughter, but the story, which on the surface is quite simple, really comes to life in the last twenty minutes was left wandering what was coming next. Worth the watch!9/10 stars!

The Murder in the Red Barn (1935)** 1/2 (out of 4)Maria Marten (Sophie Stewart) is torn between Carlos (Eric Portman), a poor gypsy who her father hates and Squire Corder (Tod Slaughter), a man she doesn't really care for but it would be more acceptable to marry him. She chooses the Squire but when he learns that she's pregnant he kills her and hides the body in the red barn.THE MURDER IN THE RED BARN is the film that introduced the screen world to the one and only Tod Slaughter. This was a rather familiar tale as it was filmed several times during the silent era but Slaughter brought his own over-the-top performance to the role.The biggest problem with the film is the fact that the British censors were so strict at the time that it would have been impossible to really dig into the story and do it any sort of justice. Quite often things aren't even hinted out so you're basically having to use your own imagination. The story itself is a good one but it's just not fully brought out here.The film has pretty much been forgotten over the years except for those who enjoy watching Slaughter. The actor is certainly in a league of his own as he overacts incredibly bad but at the same time it's unlike anything you've seen before and on that level it is somewhat entertaining. Both Stewart and Portman are good in their supporting parts.THE MURDERS IN THE RED BARN certainly isn't a classic or even a good film but it has some mild entertainment to it.

Tod Slaughter was able to do one important action as an actor - he put on film a series of the popular "warhorse" melodramas that were the meat and potatos of Victorian theatre way into the 20th Century. He knew these plays and their lead roles by heart, and how the public wanted him to play those villains. And several of the films were based on actual cases. That is the case with the murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Polstead, England. In 1827 William Corder, the surviving son of a fairly prosperous farmer, had an affair with Maria Marten (the daughter of a mole catcher). She became pregnant, and demanded he do the right thing. After hemming and hawing a bit William agreed to leaving with Maria for their future together. But he insisted she meet him secretly at the Red Barn, and she wear male attire. She did, but she informed her step-mother who watched her head for the Red Barn. Maria was never seen again for the next year. But letters from William, from London, came telling how Maria and he were very happy together. One day (we are told) Mrs. Marten had a nightmare in which she saw Maria's body in the barn. She insisted her husband look. Mr. Marten did, and in digging up the floor of the barn found Maria's remains. The authorities started looking for Corder, and found he was living in London with a wife, and running a school. He was arrested, brought back to Bury St. Edmunds (the nearest town to Polestead), tried for Maria's murder, and found guilty.He was executed in 1828.Did Corder kill Maria? Most criminal historians feel he did, and are impressed at his initial attempt at a perfect crime - but why did it fall apart so easily? However one writer, Donald McCormick, wrote THE RED BARN MYSTERY, and pointed out that there were lots of questionable points in the story. Mrs. Marten's behavior, for instance. Local rumors said she had had an affair with Corder before he turned to Maria. Did the jealous woman suspect Corder's motives about the secrecy and disguise - but if she did, why did she not warn Maria? And if she did why didn't she tell her husband earlier? Did those letters really convince her that Maria was safe, or was her "dream" fake? McCormick suggested a different solution to the murder but it was rather bizaar.Anyway the film with Slaughter keeps the traditional solution. And he goes to town with it.