This film is part of Free

Trapped by the London Sharks
Nefarious nightclub hosts blackmail a drunkard into fleecing their customers
Overview
An intertitle announcing "Zina replenishes the poison gas bracelet" leaves viewers in no doubt that they're in crime drama territory with this tale of murder and intrigue. We can expect sophisticated criminals bristling with gadgets for parting drunks and gamblers from their cash, pursued by a youthful detective with pure motives and forensic skill. The deliciously evil Zina is the brains, robbing banks and ditching inconvenient bodies in the Thames in this admirably efficient thriller.
Will Barker specialised in the production of these nicely made, if not wildly original crime dramas. He made great use of locations in the streets surrounding his Ealing studio and nearly always found an excuse for a river or canal scene. The structure of the dramas is pacy with the sparest use of intertitles – the hallmark of a well-made silent film.
Related

Crosstrap Crosstrap
Drama 1962 62 mins
Stuck out in the country, two rival gangs fight it out with increasing savagery.

Good-Time Girl Good-Time Girl
Crime 1948 92 mins Location: Islington
Find out what happens when a good girl goes bad in this controversial post-war Brit noir thriller starring Jean Kent.

The Silent House The Silent House
Crime 1929 82 mins Silent
Spooky house thriller directed by Walter Forde, replete with secret panels and snake-filled rooms.

Dear Murderer Dear Murderer
Drama 1947 94 mins
A frosty Greta Gynt goes head to head with jealous husband Eric Portman in this pitch-black British noir.

Enemy Enemy
Thriller 1976 60 mins
Frightening events unfold that may or may not be figments of Marigold’s imagination.

Trapped by the Mormons Trapped by the Mormons
Drama 1922 92 mins Silent
Unscrupulous criminals in the Manchester suburbs abuse the Mormon faith to lure young women away from their families.

New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.