A Is for Acid (2002): Cast & Plot
A Is for Acid is a 2002 crime drama directed by Harry Bradbeer, starring Barbara Marten as Emily Haigh, Geoff Holman and Martin Clunes. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Harry Bradbeer
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Yorkshire Television
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A Is for Acid About?
The premise of A Is for Acid without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A dramatized account of John Haigh, the infamous “acid bath murderer” who killed several women in 1940s Britain and attempted to dissolve their bodies in vats of acid. His downfall comes when a pathologist discovers undissolved gallstones in the residue, exposing the crimes.
A Is for Acid Themes & Keywords
· 19 tags- murder
- deception
- true crime
- acid
- acid bath
- 1940s
- four word title
- acid killer
- sergeant
- money
- perfect murder
- house sale
+7 more Show fewer
- fraud
- car
- hotel
- debt
- murder confession
- religious fanaticism
- based on true story
A Is for Acid Cast & Characters
Barbara Marten leads the cast as Emily Haigh, with Geoff Holman as John Haigh Senior and Martin Clunes as John George Haigh. Directed by Harry Bradbeer; 26 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Harry Bradbeer
- Barbara Marten as Emily Haigh
- Geoff Holman as John Haigh Senior
- Martin Clunes as John George Haigh
- Sally Carman as Betty
Also Starring in A Is for Acid
· 22 more- Keeley Hawes Gillian Rogers
- Christopher Ettridge Steven Rogers (as Chris Ettridge)
- Donald Douglas William McSwan
- Neil McKinven Donald McSwan
- Claire Nielson Amy McSwan
- Celia Imrie Rose Henderson
- Richard Hope Dr. Archie Henderson
- John Flanagan Arnold Burtin
- Rowena Cooper Mrs. Durand-Deacon
- Matyelok Gibbs Mrs Constance Lane
- Terence Beesley DS Heslin
- Ken Drury Mr. Greig
- Duggie Brown Morrison
- Charles De'Ath Sgt Symes
- Randal Herley Elderly Resident
- Emma Cooke Mrs Louisa Bird
Show all 26 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Geoff Oldham Magistrate
- Amanda Haberland Sgt. Lambourne
- Eamonn Riley Mr Parry
- Christopher Town John George Haigh (as a boy)
- Paula Stockbridge Mrs Kirkwood
- Nick Chadwin Veterinary Surgeon
More from Harry Bradbeer
More films directed by Harry Bradbeer, best-rated first: Enola Holmes 2, Enola Holmes and The Brides in the Bath.
A Is for Acid Plot Summary
What happens in A Is for Acid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
John George Haigh Martin Clunes grows up in a small Yorkshire village under the sway of strict Plymouth Brethren beliefs, where his parents insist their family sits apart from the rest as part of God’s elect. As an adult, Haigh slides into petty crime, and his marriage to Beatrice ‘Betty’ Hamer Sally Carman results in a pregnancy that colors his ambitions and fears. While serving a sentence for fraud, he encounters the phrase corpus delicti and misreads it as proof that murder can’t be proven without a body. With that mistaken certainty, he dreams of a perfect murder and begins testing ideas by dissolving mice in sulphuric acid, a grim prelude to a pattern he will later expand on.
Full summary
The whole story of A Is for Acid, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know A Is for Acid?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which actor portrays the serial killer John George Haigh in the film?
Cars in A Is for Acid
12 cars on screen, including the 1939 Alvis 4.3 Litre and the 1937 Austin 12/4 Ascot.
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1939 Alvis 4.3 Litre Main role -
1937 Austin 12/4 Ascot Minor role -
1935 Austin 12/4 Taxi Minor role -
1937 Beardmore Paramount Ace MkV Minor role
A Is for Acid Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Crimes Quase Perfeitos” and “酸浴杀手”.
- Also known as
-
- Crimes Quase Perfeitos
- 酸浴杀手
Seen A Is for Acid?
Movies Like A Is for Acid
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including A Confession, A… For Assassin and Dial M for Murder.
A Is for Acid FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A Is for Acid, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A Is for Acid?
A Is for Acid runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was A Is for Acid released?
A Is for Acid was released on September 9, 2002.
Who directed A Is for Acid?
A Is for Acid was directed by Harry Bradbeer.
More films by Harry Bradbeer Who is in the cast of A Is for Acid?
A Is for Acid stars Barbara Marten as Emily Haigh, Geoff Holman as John Haigh Senior and Martin Clunes as John George Haigh, among 26 credited actors.
Does A Is for Acid have a post-credit scene?
No. A Is for Acid has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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