Maria Marten or Murder in the Red Barn

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Maria Marten or Murder in the Red Barn is a 1935 British film melodrama starring Tod Slaughter and Eric Portman. It was directed by Milton Rosmer. It is based on the true story of the 1827 Red Barn Murder.

Tod Slaughter plays the wicked Squire Corder who seduces then murders innocent country maiden Maria Marten (Sophie Stewart) before burying her body beneath the barn floor. The film is based on the popular 19th century melodramas about the case and is highly theatrical, with an opening in which all the characters are introduced by a Master of Ceremonies in front of a painted backdrop. Tod Slaughter, in his film debut, gives his trademark eye-ball rolling over-the-top performance and gives the film a cult status of its own peculiar kind.