Offbeat (1961): Cast & Plot
Offbeat is a 1961 crime film directed by Cliff Owen, starring William Sylvester as Layton / Steve Ross, Mai Zetterling and John Meillon. It runs 1 hour 11 minutes.
- Release year
- Runtime
- 1h 11m (71 min)
- Director
- Cliff Owen
- Genre
- Crime
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Northiam Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Offbeat About?
The premise of Offbeat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When Scotland Yard hits a dead end pursuing a ruthless gang of thieves and bank robbers, they enlist Layton, a solitary MI5 operative, to infiltrate the organization. Layton must win the criminals’ confidence, maneuver through the dangerous underworld, and provide the police the intelligence needed to dismantle the syndicate.
Offbeat Cast & Characters
William Sylvester leads the cast as Layton / Steve Ross, with Mai Zetterling as Ruth Lombard and John Meillon as Johnny Hemick. Directed by Cliff Owen; 22 actors are credited in all.
- Director Cliff Owen
- William Sylvester as Layton / Steve Ross
- Mai Zetterling as Ruth Lombard
-
John Meillon as Johnny Hemick - Ronald Adam as J. B. Wykeham
Also Starring in Offbeat
· 18 more- John Phillips Chief Superintendent Gault
- Tom Clegg Dropkick
- Anthony Dawson James Dawson
- Gerard Heinz Jake
- Victor Brooks Inspector Adams
- Harry Baird Gill Hall
- Neil McCarthy Leo Farrell
- Neil Wilson Pat Ryan
- Joseph Fürst Paul Varna
- Meadows White Mortuary Attendant
- Diana King Maggie Dawson
- Sidney Vivian Sam French
- Anthony Baird City Constable
- Nan Munro Sarah Bennett
- William Sherwood Bank Manager
- Andrew Laurence Bank Clerk
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Fred McNaughton Police Superintendent
- Patricia Shakesby Typist
Offbeat Plot Summary
What happens in Offbeat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Layton, William Sylvester — an MI5 loner who infiltrates a ruthless crime gang by adopting the alias Steve Ross — steps into a world that operates like a tightly run company, with salaries, pensions, and a camaraderie he has never encountered before. He studies the gang’s rhythms, learns their trust-building rituals, and prepares to slip deeper into their ranks, all while maintaining the careful balance his cover requires.
Within this already fragile balance, Layton’s mission begins to feel personal. He becomes romantically involved with Ruth Lombard, Mai Zetterling, a member of the gang. As his cover tightens, Ruth’s suspicions about his true identity begin to surface, but her growing feelings keep her from voicing them, creating a tense undercurrent to their budding relationship.
Full summary
The whole story of Offbeat, scene by scene
Cars in Offbeat
8 cars on screen, including the 1955 Jaguar Mk.VII M and the 1956 Jaguar XK 140.
-
1955 Jaguar Mk.VII M Minor role -
1956 Jaguar XK 140 Minor role -
1955 Morris LD 2 Minor role -
1959 Vauxhall Cresta Minor role
Seen Offbeat?
Offbeat FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Offbeat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Offbeat?
Offbeat runs 1 hour 11 minutes (71 minutes).
When was Offbeat released?
Offbeat was released in 1961.
Who directed Offbeat?
Offbeat was directed by Cliff Owen.
More films by Cliff Owen Who is in the cast of Offbeat?
Offbeat stars William Sylvester as Layton / Steve Ross, Mai Zetterling as Ruth Lombard and John Meillon as Johnny Hemick, among 22 credited actors.
Does Offbeat have a post-credit scene?
No. Offbeat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
