Other reviewers have pretty much covered the synopsis of this film. I would just like to add that it really should be viewed with some consideration given to the time it was made. For those who feel Finney's performance was "over the top" remember in 1964 what the general perception was about a "crazy" or psychopathic person. The public wasn't as educated about or aware of what mental illness looks like.
Some historical context for this film for the reviewers who commented that Finney must really have wanted to make this film because he could do whatever he wanted after Tom Jones, and that he was trying to provide a showcase for himself. First of all this movie was released in 1964, but it was filmed before Tom Jones was released. Finney did not have carte Blanche to do anything he wanted at this stage. This film was not, in fact, the first choice for Karel Reisz and Albert Finney, who wanted to collaborate again after working on Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. They were not trying to make a showcase, but rather were excited about film making, and were trying to do something different and unusual. They originally planned to make a film about Ned Kelley, and had spent a lot of time and effort trying to put that project together, even going so far as to scout locations in Australia. However, the financial backing was from MGM, and at the last minute they pulled the financing from the Ned Kelley project and told Reisz and Finney they were doing a remake of Night Must Fall.
Both Director and Actor have said they didn't feel it was going well while they were making it, and they weren't happy with how it turned out; however, Tony Richardson said the same about Tom Jones. Sometimes, the artist doesn't appreciate his own masterpiece. I personally find Finney's performance riveting, the story suspenseful, and, as other people have mentioned, the cinematography as atmospheric and effective as you would expect from Freddy Francis. I'm obviously in the camp with those who think this is an overlooked gem. Everyone entitled to his/her own opinion, but I did want to clarify a little of the history. Also, it was probably just a typo by one reviewer, but Finney was 26/27, not his late thirties when this was being made, but yes I agree Ewan McGregor does resemble him.
Some historical context for this film for the reviewers who commented that Finney must really have wanted to make this film because he could do whatever he wanted after Tom Jones, and that he was trying to provide a showcase for himself. First of all this movie was released in 1964, but it was filmed before Tom Jones was released. Finney did not have carte Blanche to do anything he wanted at this stage. This film was not, in fact, the first choice for Karel Reisz and Albert Finney, who wanted to collaborate again after working on Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. They were not trying to make a showcase, but rather were excited about film making, and were trying to do something different and unusual. They originally planned to make a film about Ned Kelley, and had spent a lot of time and effort trying to put that project together, even going so far as to scout locations in Australia. However, the financial backing was from MGM, and at the last minute they pulled the financing from the Ned Kelley project and told Reisz and Finney they were doing a remake of Night Must Fall.
Both Director and Actor have said they didn't feel it was going well while they were making it, and they weren't happy with how it turned out; however, Tony Richardson said the same about Tom Jones. Sometimes, the artist doesn't appreciate his own masterpiece. I personally find Finney's performance riveting, the story suspenseful, and, as other people have mentioned, the cinematography as atmospheric and effective as you would expect from Freddy Francis. I'm obviously in the camp with those who think this is an overlooked gem. Everyone entitled to his/her own opinion, but I did want to clarify a little of the history. Also, it was probably just a typo by one reviewer, but Finney was 26/27, not his late thirties when this was being made, but yes I agree Ewan McGregor does resemble him.