"Yield to the Night" (aka "Blonde Sinner") is a powerful story of its time and a bold, highly realistic anti-capital punishment film. The story centres on party girl Mary Hilton (Diana Dors) who languishes on death row fearfully awaiting the day of her execution. The film encapsulates the horror and emotional distress of her situation, while flashing back to the cold-blooded murder she committed that got her the death sentence. Director J. Lee Thompson is scrupulous in his approach. The prison sequences are bleak and realistic, with small, effective details beautifully captured by Gilbert Taylor's meticulous black-and-white photography. The flashback sequences are equally good; they are full of energy and pace, counterpointing the dreary prison sequences. Thompson delivers a number of bravura sequences such as the opening, which is full of snappy editing, imaginative angles, distorted viewpoints and fabulous close-ups, which shockingly culminates in the murder committed by Mary. Diana Dors is magnificent in the lead role, belying her blonde bombshell image to deliver a disturbing performance of a vivacious woman betrayed by the men in her life who emotionally and mentally crumbles as she awaits the inevitable. The character parts around her are also well played: Marie Ney as the starched authoritative governor; Geoffrey Keen as the thoughtful prison chaplain; Athene Seyler as a caring prison visitor and, in particular, Yvonne Mitchell as the tender, sympathetic Christian wardress, MacFarlane. "Yield to the Night" is a powerful social statement that is dramatic and thoughtful but offers little hope or reprieve. It is a beautifully directed and photographed film that deliver great performances from Diana Dors and the supporting cast. A dramatic gem. ( )