Ransom!

A compelling movie with an outstanding performance by Glen Ford. I found the last twenty minutes very moving.

Talky and somewhat dry drama is elevated largely by Ford's excellent and impassioned performance, (his "straight-down-the-barrel" moment is a stunner), but this lacks the visceral charge of the remake and suffers from some borderline absurd characterisations in the supporting cast (with Mills' histrionic wife the biggest loser). Amusing to see Nielsen in his film debut, even landed with some unforgivably clunky expository lines; muted but quite moving finale a nice surprise.

Though I really enjoyed the movie of the same title in the 1990s starring Mel Gibson, I had no idea at the time that is was a direct remake. The plot (and its shocking twist) was here first. Good thriller with excellent performances, especially by Glenn Ford.