Watch The Sleeping Tiger

The Sleeping Tiger is a 1954 British film noir directed by Joseph Losey and starring Dirk Bogarde, Alexis Smith, and Alexander Knox. The film centers on a psychological power struggle between a young criminal and his psychiatrist. The movie explores the themes of desire, control, and repression, and it is notable for its compelling performances and moody visuals.

The film begins with Stephen Fleming (Bogarde), a troubled young man, being caught stealing from a store. To avoid jail time, he is sent to the home of Dr. Clive Esmond (Knox), a psychiatrist, for evaluation. Dr. Esmond believes that he can cure Stephen of his criminal tendencies and offers him a job and a place to stay in his home.

However, things quickly become complicated when Stephen develops an attraction to Dr. Esmond's wife, Glenda (Smith). He begins to manipulate her and play mind games with her, all while continuing to see his old criminal contacts on the side. Meanwhile, Dr. Esmond becomes increasingly frustrated with Stephen's lack of progress and begins to question whether he can really help him.

As the tension between the three characters builds, the film delves deeper into the psychology of desire and control. Stephen's attraction to Glenda is fueled by his desire to have power over her, while Glenda struggles to reconcile her attraction to Stephen with her loyalty to her husband. Dr. Esmond, meanwhile, finds himself losing control over his own life as he becomes increasingly obsessed with curing Stephen.

One of the standout aspects of The Sleeping Tiger is the excellent performances from the lead actors. Dirk Bogarde is especially impressive as Stephen, bringing a raw intensity and vulnerability to the character that makes him simultaneously sympathetic and terrifying. Alexis Smith is also excellent as Glenda, conveying both her attraction to Stephen and her inner conflict over the situation. Alexander Knox rounds out the trio with a strong but understated performance as Dr. Esmond.

The film is also notable for its striking visuals and use of symbolism. The frequent shots of caged animals, especially tigers, serve as a metaphor for the characters' entrapment and inner turmoil. The dark, moody lighting and shadowy cinematography add to the film's atmosphere of psychological tension.

Overall, The Sleeping Tiger is a gripping and thought-provoking film noir that explores complex themes of desire, control, and repression. Its compelling performances and striking visuals make it a must-see for fans of the genre.

The Sleeping Tiger is a 1954 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.