There are some fine aspects to this film: a fine script, good acting, competent direction using low-budget settings well, with some startling and chilling effects. Unfortunately there's much wrong with it too. Good things first. All of the actors act competently, some well. Sidney- not yet Sid- James is a revelation as a loyal hood, a natural lieutenant content with that role. The big- literally- problem is Paul Douglas as the hero. Douglas acts well, but he would have to lose twenty years and forty pounds to be convincing as the hit-man inspired to ambition by his new wife. Only a very great actor could make us ignore the fact that he's much too old and fat for his job, and Douglas isn't great. In appearance, he'd be better suited to Grégoire Aslan's role as the Duca, well though Aslan acts, giving the impression that he gave the job of second-in-command to Joe because he's too comfortable to be a threat and suggesting that it's because it makes Lily accessible that he's promoted Joe. Ruth Roman makes a convincing Lady Macbeth, both affectionate and exasperated by Joe, only awakening to her conscience when she sees a woman and child murdered because of her plans. The supernatural aspects, Walter Crisham as the house's butler/tutelary spirit, indifferent to his masters or their guests or killers and Minerva Pious (some name!) as the fortune teller who sets the plot going are both good at being both real characters and unearthly. The only other problem is Bonar Colleano, in a very difficult part: good as the young man over-ambitious for a father who knows his own limitations, very good when he learns of his wife's and child's deaths and becomes an avenger, but he isn't convincing in between as a man who can pull the gang behind him to take on Joe. Ken Hughes directs briskly, but has the nerve to slow down- the long silent shot, following Colleano's movements, when Lennie learns his family are dead is a chilling and effective scene and the action scenes use economic means well, relying on the acting skills of the characters to carry them through. In short then, a curiosity, but an interesting one.
Review of Joe MacBeth
