I just watched this film again after some years and felt very sad and upset at the fate of Mary Hilton. Diana Dors gave a performance of true excellence and power. The setting within the prison cell with the female wardens as supporting players is stark and yet sympathetic . Diana gave a compelling performance and so well were in supported by the rest of the cast especially Yvonne Mitchell and Olga Lindo. I was so very impressed by the entire film. It was a shame that Dors was ignored by the Academy but I suppose in the 50s non-American actresses were not considered as the films were mainly "art house" films. Enjoyed the whole experience.

At the beginning of the film, you see Mary Hilton (Diana Dors) mercilessly unloading her gun into a woman. Why exactly she did this, you have no idea...nor who the victim was. The story soon switched to Death Row in a British prison and only a bit later are there flashbacks to let you have so idea of what you're missing in the story of this woman. I do know that nothing in the story made me feel sorry for her...and Mary's narration sometimes seemed to cast herself as a victim, of sorts. However, although the aim of the film appears to be to get the audience to care, as various prison folk talk about how bad the death penalty is or express a lot of empathy towards her. In fact, I would go so far as to say I wanted to see Mary hang for her actions and lack of regard for her murder....and so the film doesn't achieve its aim, at least for me. So, although the film excels at realism in some ways, it ultimately fails in getting the audience to care.

Whilst this is a good if depressing film I am of the opinion that the ending is a cop out.It does not show the actual hanging which of course is the most barbaric part.The film fails also in showing that Dors has sufficient motive and why Craig preferred the other woman so that part of the film fails.Also it does become increasingly depressive being in the condemned cell.

This film proved that Diane Dorrs was a superb serious actress. The obvious comparison to the tragic case of Ruth Ellis 12 months earlier only served to make a good film even better. The whole cast gave their heart and soul to it. A must for people who have not yet viewed it.