INQUEST is a short, early effort from the famous Boulting brothers, a film that was originally based on a stage play which becomes apparent in the single location nature of the proceedings. And what a delight it is to watch. Initially when I read that this was a courtroom drama exposing the workings of the coroner's court, I thought it would be dry beyond belief and more than a little dull given the era.
Not at all. In fact, this is almost a comedy, with the cast giving occasionally histrionic turns as the script requires, and it's certainly very funny despite the deadly serious nature of the narrative. In essence, a young woman is accused of her husband's murder when her gun is found hidden behind a wall and missing a bullet that was lodged in her husband's back.
The rest of the story is made up of the court trial as the facts of the case go back and forth. And what this all boils down to in actuality is a battle of wits between the fussy and old-fashioned coroner, played by Herbert Lomas, and the idealistic KC, played with relish by Hay Petrie. These two guys argue their points, engage in shouting matches, and overact with relish. They alone are responsible for much of this film's entertainment value, such as it is, and both actors deserve commendations for making the antics of their characters so enjoyable to watch.
