The Wind of Change – 1961 | 64 mins | Drama | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Powerful racially-charged b-movie from director Vernon Sewell concerning racial discrimination and parental worry that is still relevant today. There are convincing performances from convincingly malicious ‘Coronation Street’ Johnny Briggs and Donald Pleasence as his complacent father who belatedly comes to worry about his son’s mind-set.

Rebellious and bigoted teen, Frank Marley (Johnny Briggs), hatred for coloured people tragically rebounds on him when he and his gang decide to attack a black youth late one night. The victim happens to be accompanied by Frank’s sister, Josie (Ann Lynn), who is injured in the attack. Unemployed Frank’s racist views concern his acquiescent working-class parents (Donald Pleasence, Hilda Fenemore) but neither genuinely tackles his xenophobia, and seems more vexed that their son isn’t earning a crust. The assault is investigated by Sgt. Parker (Glyn Houston), and the case becomes more serious when the victim dies in hospital.