Eye Witness [1970] [DVD]

Why did a playwright of the calibre of Ronald Harwood bother himself with this adaptation of Mark Hebden's minor “cry wolf” thriller? It's hardly original stuff, and the threadbare plot leaves players a lot more experienced than Mark Lester looking forlorn. Fresh from his success in the title role of Oliver!, Lester is wincingly wide-eyed as the fanciful child whose account of a murder is disbelieved by all and sundry.

But he's not helped by second-time director John Hough, who is obviously still too obsessed with “meaningful” angles and camera trickery to concern himself with the pivotal performance. Best loved for his comedic skills, Lionel Jeffries is equally effective here and provides some all-too-welcome moments of relief.