Intent to Kill Poster

Intent to Kill 1958

★ 4.45 votes88 min📅 1958-07-16

Set against the tense backdrop of 1950s Montreal, *Intent to Kill (1958)* weaves a gripping narrative around a high-stakes brain surgery planned for a Latin American president.

Director: Jack Cardiff

Cast

Richard Todd
Richard Todd
Dr. Bob McLaurin
Betsy Drake
Betsy Drake
Dr. Nancy Ferguson
Herbert Lom
Herbert Lom
Juan Menda
Warren Stevens
Warren Stevens
Finch
Carlo Giustini
Carlo Giustini
Francisco Flores (as Carlo Justini)
Paul Carpenter
Paul Carpenter
O'Brien
Alexander Knox
Alexander Knox
Dr. McNeil
Lisa Gastoni
Lisa Gastoni
Carla Menda
Peter Arne
Peter Arne
Kral
John Crawford
John Crawford
Boyd

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Intent to Kill (1958) about?

*Intent to Kill (1958)* follows a Montreal doctor as he prepares for a critical brain surgery on a visiting Latin American president, unaware that assassins are closing in. His personal struggles and the high-pressure environment of the hospital intertwine with a sinister plot to turn the operation into an assassination. The film captures the collision of medicine, politics, and betrayal in a race against time.

Who directed Intent to Kill?

The film was directed by Jack Cardiff, a celebrated cinematographer-turned-filmmaker known for his visually stunning work in *The Red Shoes* and *War and Peace*.

Who stars in Intent to Kill?

The cast features Richard Todd as the conflicted surgeon, Betsy Drake as his determined wife, Herbert Lom as a key antagonist, and Warren Stevens, with Carlo Giustini and Paul Carpenter rounding out the ensemble.

Is Intent to Kill (1958) worth watching?

Though unrated, *Intent to Kill (1958)* offers a solid dose of Cold War-era suspense with strong performances and a unique setting. Fans of classic thrillers will appreciate its blend of medical drama and political intrigue, even if the pacing occasionally falters. It's a hidden gem for those who enjoy vintage tension.

How long is Intent to Kill?

The runtime for *Intent to Kill (1958)* is 88 minutes.

About Intent to Kill (1958) — A Thriller Where Survival Hinges on the Operating Table

Set against the tense backdrop of 1950s Montreal, *Intent to Kill (1958)* weaves a gripping narrative around a high-stakes brain surgery planned for a Latin American president. Directed by the visually inventive Jack Cardiff, this thriller balances the claustrophobic pressure of an operating room with the lurking danger of an assassination plot. As a Montreal physician navigates his wife's demands and the moral weight of his profession, he remains unaware that a trio of assassins lurks in the shadows, ready to strike at the most vulnerable moment. With sharp pacing and atmospheric dread, the film explores themes of duty, deception, and the fragility of power.

Starring Richard Todd as the conflicted surgeon and the radiant Betsy Drake as his determined wife, the cast brings depth to a story where every decision could mean life or death. Herbert Lom's presence adds a layer of intensity, while the genre's blend of medical urgency and political intrigue creates an unforgettable cinematic experience. If you love classic thrillers where tension simmers beneath every scene, *Intent to Kill (1958)* delivers a masterclass in suspense.