This engrossing 50s melodrama from British film icon Lewis Gilbert is colourfully set against the playfully boisterous backdrop of an especially raucous, rough n' tumble fun fair, populated with an engaging host of entertaining protagonists. Effectively playing out like a pulpy crime-noir, Gilbert's gutsy drama 'There is another Son' is happily replete with a lively text by writer Guy Morgan and the crisp B/W photography by Wilkie Cooper and Dudley Lovell is wonderfully cinematic, with resplendent set design by George Provis. Fundamentally a doomed ménage à trois with strikingly tall, darkly brooding 'Wall-of-Death' motorcyclist 'Eddie Racer'(Maxwell Reed) affable, warm-hearted, iron-fisted, up-and-coming boxer Mag Maguire (Laurence Harvey), and the lissome, luminous blonde dancer Lillian (Susan Shaw) glistens enticingly as the sublime object of their affections.
With plentiful pulse-pounding incident, amusing banter, break-neck, daredevil motorcycling, bravura fisticuffs, and swelteringly amorous clinches there's nary a dull moment! The self-absorbed machinations of Racer's increasingly criminal attempts to successfully finance his return to his former glory as top speedway racer inexorably draw sweet-natured Lillian and her gullible, deliciously handsome beau Mag Maguire into morally murky waters! Briskly directed by Lewis Gilbert, immaculately performed by a brilliant cast, with a rousingly lush score by Wilfred Burns, the heady, helter-skelter carny atmosphere of 'There is another Sun' is excitingly realized, the characters are sympathetic, and the frantic climax is suitably thrilling. While not oft remembered, this dynamic drama has one of Laurence Harvey's most effortlessly likeable performances, and his bruising bout with sturdy, real-life pugilist Nosher Powell has lost little of its impact!
