For You I Die

CinemaSerf

There is actually quite a lot going on in this crime-noir. Petty criminal "Johnny" (Paul Langton) is coming to the end of his sentence but before he makes it to the gates, he is coerced into taking part in a prison break that sees him on the run, alone, making for a remote diner where he is to meet "Hope" (Cathy Downs) and wait for his nemesis "Gruber" (Don Harvey). Now it turns out that she's not one of his biggest fans either, and together the two youngsters concoct a plan to alert the police and, meantime, they start to take a shine to each other. Perilous stuff for all concerned and the young, green, "Johnny" isn't best equipped for what's to come. The acting from Downs and Langton here is quite effective, delivering a degree of chemistry and with a strong supporting cast - including the usually reliable Mischa Auer, and Roman Bohnen as the dipso chef - makes for quite a competent, low-budget, thriller. I'm not sure about the ending, but it's certainly not what I was expecting. It's well paced and worth a watch.