Character Relationship Map: Murder in Reverse

Characters

• Tom Masterick (played by William Hartnell) — protagonist

  A stevedore wrongly convicted of murdering Fred Smith after a dockside fight. After serving 15 years, he returns to London to uncover the truth, tracks down his ex-wife and Smith, and attempts to clea...

• Peter Rogers (played by Jimmy Hanley) — supporting

  A junior reporter in a relationship with Jill Masterick. He investigates Tom Masterick's case and firmly believes Masterick is a victim of a miscarriage of justice, supporting his pursuit of the truth...

• Fred Smith (played by John Slater) — supporting

  The man involved in an affair with Doris Masterick. After falling from a crane and being presumed dead, he survives and runs a public house. He initially agrees to help Tom clear his name for compensa...

• Sullivan (played by Brefni O'Rorke) — supporting

  A newspaper editor and Tom's close friend who adopted Tom's daughter, Jill. He attempted to sway public opinion during Tom's imprisonment and fears revealing the truth would harm Jill. He later commen...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Sullivan → Peter Rogers (Professional Editor And Reporter) — Their professions place them within the same newspaper and investigative context.

  Sullivan is a newspaper editor, while Peter is described as a junior reporter investigating Tom's case.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Sullivan → Fred Smith (Narrative Witness) — Sullivan provides the film's closing interpretation of Fred's death.

  In the epilogue, Sullivan comments on the killing of Fred and explains why it is called a murder in reverse.

• Tom Masterick → Peter Rogers (Alliance Investigation Support) — Peter supports the effort to reassess Tom's conviction.

  Peter investigates Tom's case and firmly believes that Tom was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

• Tom Masterick → Fred Smith (Conflict Arch Rival) — Their conflict drives the original conviction and the later revenge killing.

  Tom fights Fred in a saloon bar after discovering Fred's affair with Tom's wife. Their confrontation continues onto the docks and ends with Fred falli...

• Tom Masterick → Sullivan (Social Close Friend) — Sullivan remains connected to Tom despite the long imprisonment and its consequences.

  Sullivan is identified as Tom's close friend and tried unsuccessfully to change public opinion in Tom's favour during his incarceration.

Story Analysis

A wrongfully imprisoned man seeks legal recognition of the truth but ultimately creates a second crime to expose the first injustice.

Plot Progression

1. The Dockside Accusation — Tom Masterick discovers Fred Smith's affair with his wife and confronts him in a saloon bar. Their fight moves to a crane, where Fred falls and is presumed dead.
2. A Conviction Without A Body — Although no body is found and Tom denies murder, he is convicted and sentenced to death. The sentence is commuted to fifteen years in prison, while Sullivan tries to defend his reputation publicly.
3. The Long Search — After his release, Tom returns to London determined to discover what happened to Fred. Peter supports the investigation, while Sullivan remains concerned about the damage that Tom's past could cause.
4. The Survivor Revealed — Tom finds his former wife living in poverty and learns where Fred can be found. Fred has survived and now runs a public house, but Tom's desire for justice overwhelms any chance of reconciliation.
5. Justice In Reverse — Tom and Fred approach the judge who handled the original case, but legal technicalities prevent a remedy. Tom then kills Fred in front of the judge, creating the film's final paradox.