The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "From the manner of its casting and presentation, it is difficult to be sure of the precise social territory in which this film is supposed to be set. Occasional hints of
Cockney trouble the otherwise impeccable
West End accents of
Flora Robson and
André Morell;
Michael Denison is unflinchingly
O.U.D.S. in manner and inflection;
Jane Hylton, on the other hand, is unmistakably not. An odd household: and indeed a somewhat oppressive one. ... While evidencing no awareness of the unreality of the whole affair,
Terence Young's direction puts it on the screen with a slickness that may perhaps be considered a tiny mercy."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Despite its gloomy fundamentals and uneven outline, the film has plenty of versatile surface action."
Leslie Halliwell wrote "Glum, boring, badly cast, badly written and generally inept melodrama." In
British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "A 'picture of misery', not helped by the assortment of accents within its 'suburban' family."
TV Guide wrote, "Decent performances by some well-known British actors and actresses are wasted on this unbelievable story."
Allmovie called it a "grim British drama," writing: "an excellent all-character-actor cast includes Flora Robson and André Morrell as the grieving parents, Michael Denison as the brother and
Mai Zetterling as the initial murder victim." ==References==