The Last Man to Hang

Sir Roderick Strood, a music critic, begins an affair with the singer Elizabeth Anders. The relationship is presented as a catalyst for the marital strain that drives the narrative. The film uses flashbacks to establish the affair as a persistent undercurrent in Roderick's life.

Daphne rejects Roderick's divorce and tries to shoot herself. The crisis exposes the fragility of their marriage and sets off a chain of desperate actions. In a tense turn, Daphne appears to reconcile, telling Roderick to flee the country with Elizabeth.

Roderick administers a strong sedative to his wife, using one supplied by his mistress. He unaware that Mrs Tucker, the housekeeper, has already dosed Daphne. The double dosing creates ambiguity around Daphne's later death.

Daphne apparently dies from an overdose, prompting an emergency hospital sequence. Yet an earlier hospital scene reveals she is still alive, suggesting the death is a ruse or misunderstanding. The situation hinges on misdirection surrounding the body.

Mrs Tucker identifies the body brought to hospital as Daphne. It is later revealed that the body belongs to another woman, while Daphne remains alive. This misidentification fuels the upcoming courtroom intrigue.

Stopped at the airport, Roderick blurts 'I've killed her' and is arrested on murder charges. This moment shifts the story from private scandal to public prosecution. The line crystallizes the film's pivot point toward legal drama.

A jury must decide whether Daphne's death was deliberate poisoning or an accident. The trial also mirrors contemporary debates about capital punishment in 1950s Britain. The proceedings center on intent and the sufficiency of evidence.

During a lengthy jury room session, the deliberations recall the spirit of Twelve Angry Men with careful, methodical reasoning. Jurors consider whether Roderick could have heard Mrs Tucker’s warning through a closed door. The discussion highlights the semantic tension between 'I've killed her' and 'I killed her.'

The defense demonstrates that Roderick may not have heard the warning, introducing reasonable doubt. The jury delivers a not guilty verdict. The outcome rests on interpretation and perception rather than definitive action.

Following the trial, Roderick returns to his home. Mrs Tucker confesses that she knew he hadn't killed Daphne and that Daphne is still alive. The confession reframes the entire case and unsettles the moral balance of the affair.

Mrs Tucker escorts Roderick to a large country cottage where Daphne is secretly hiding. The discovery confirms that Daphne is alive and unsettles the public understanding of the case. The reunion underscores the tangled loyalties among the characters.

Police, tipped off by Mrs Tucker, wait outside to arrest her for perjury. The arrest brings the web of deceit surrounding the incident to a formal end. The film closes on the consequences of the lies that shaped the trial.