The Offence (1973)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

After 20 years, what detective-sergeant Johnson has seen and done is destroying him.

A burned-out British police detective finally snaps while interrogating a suspected child molester.

• Released: 1973-01-11
• Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• Runtime: 1h 53m
• Status: Released
• TMDB rating: 6.8/10 from 181 votes

Directed by Sidney Lumet.

Top cast

• Sean Connery as Detective Sergeant Johnson
• Trevor Howard as Lieutenant Cartwright, Detective Superintendant
• Vivien Merchant as Maureen Johnson
• Ian Bannen as Kenneth Baxter
• Peter Bowles as Detective Inspector Cameron
• Derek Newark as Frank Jessard
• Ronald Radd as Lawson
• John Hallam as Panton
• Anthony Sagar as Hill
• Maxine Gordon as Janie

Full cast & crew

Where to watch The Offence

• United States: stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus; watch free on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV; rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home; buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
• United Kingdom: watch free on Tubi TV; rent on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky Store; buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky Store
• India: stream on MGM Plus Amazon Channel
• Canada: stream on MGM Amazon Channel; watch free on Tubi TV; rent on Apple TV Store; buy on Apple TV Store
• Australia: stream on MGM Amazon Channel; rent on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video; buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video

Movies like The Offence

If you enjoyed The Offence, these movies have a similar feel:

• Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974 (2009)
• Blitz (2011)
• Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
• Changeling (2008)
• My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done (2010)
• The Boston Strangler (1968)
• M (1951)
• Neighborhood Watch (2025)
• Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)
• Copycat (1995)
• Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)
• Reptile (2023)

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