The Sleeping Tiger

The Sleeping Tiger

Year: 1954

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Joseph Losey

ThrillerDramaIntense violence and sexual transgressionNoir and dark crime dramasShow All…

A petty thief breaks into the home of a psychiatrist and gets caught in a web of a doctor who wishes to experiment on him and a doctor’s wife who wishes to seduce him.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Sleeping Tiger (1954)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Sleeping Tiger (1954). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

London, Soho, Metro nightclub

The action unfolds across late-night streets of London and inside an upscale home, signaling a cosmopolitan, upper-middle-class setting. Dr. Esmond's residence anchors the story as a hub of psychological experiment and domestic tension. The Metro nightclub in Soho provides a contemporary urban backdrop for Clemmons' and Glenda's illicit liaisons, contrasting respectability with danger.

🏙️ London 🏢 Affluent setting 🎶 Nightlife

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:13

Main Characters – The Sleeping Tiger (1954)

Meet the key characters of The Sleeping Tiger (1954), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Clive Esmond (Alexander Knox)

A sophisticated psychiatrist who uses Clemmons as a live subject for psychoanalysis in a bid to root out his criminal tendencies. He is both compelling and morally ambivalent, acting as a father figure while quietly seeking control over the situation and the people around him.

🧠 Psychology 👨‍⚕️ Doctor 🕵️‍♂️ Authority

Frank Clemmons (Dirk Bogarde)

A cocky, intelligent young criminal who becomes the focal point of Esmond's analysis. He uses charm to manipulate others, yet carries a deep-seated resentment toward his father, which fuels his self-punishment and tendency toward reckless acts.

🧩 Crime 🕵️‍♂️ Criminal 💔 Passion

Glenda Esmond (Alexis Smith)

Esmond's wife, initially aloof and reserved, who grows attracted to Clemmons. She experiences conflicted emotions and jealousy, becoming entangled in a dangerous love triangle that destabilizes her marriage.

💞 Romance 🕊️ Jealousy 🎭 Drama

Sally Foster (Patricia McCarron)

A house-maid who endures abuse from Clemmons. Her engagement to Sally's fiancé and the ensuing tension highlight the vulnerabilities of those caught in Clemmons' actions.

⚠️ Violence 🧍‍♀️ Power dynamics 💔 Abuse

Inspector Simmons (Hugh Griffith)

A police inspector who investigates Clemmons' crimes and becomes a witness to the psychological drama unfolding in the Esmond household. He represents law, order, and the boundary where truth is pressured by others.

🕵️‍♂️ Police 🗺️ Investigation ⚖️ Law

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:13

Major Themes – The Sleeping Tiger (1954)

Explore the central themes of The Sleeping Tiger (1954), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Psychology

A psychiatrist subjects a criminal to psychoanalytic sessions to uncover the roots of his behavior. The film delves into control, manipulation, and the boundaries of science when used to 'cure' criminal recidivism. Esmond's paternal approach blurs professional ethics with personal attachment, revealing how therapy can become a mirror for the therapist as much as the patient.

💔 Obsession

Love and desire entangle Clemmons and Glenda, testing loyalty, jealousy, and restraint. The attraction destabilizes the couple's lives and drives risky, impulsive actions. The story explores how passion can override reason and safety, pulling characters into a dangerous spiral.

⚖️ Morality

The narrative threads crime, punishment, and responsibility as Clemmons seeks punishment for his own past under a physician's experiment. The boundaries between right and wrong blur as Esmond's methods complicate justice. The ending pivots on guilt, deception, and the costs of emotional entanglement.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:13

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Unlock the Full Story of The Sleeping Tiger

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Sleeping Tiger in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Sleeping Tiger is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Sleeping Tiger Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Sleeping Tiger, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Sleeping Tiger Summary

The Sleeping Tiger Timeline

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The Sleeping Tiger Timeline

More About The Sleeping Tiger

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More About The Sleeping Tiger

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