I had avoided this film, mainly because of the male lead. While Bonar Colleano (son of an Australian Circus family) executes his role as an over confident small time American smuggler admirably, I can't help feeling this film needed a star of more international renown. Perhaps Richard Widmark, or Howard Keel (both had made dramas in England) would have given the film a wider appeal. In real life, Colleano eventually married his pretty co star Susan Shaw, who sadly fell to drink following Bonar's tragic death in an auto accident, at only 34.
The support cast are all hard workers and ensure you quickly get caught up in the action. Award nominated writers, John Eldridge (who also died young at 42 due to bad health) and Jack Whittingham (A.K.F. The Divided Heart '54, Mandy '52) weave a fast moving story, leading the viewer down an eternally twisting path that's peopled by an interesting assortment of characters. Bermudian born Earl Cameron scores in his first major dramatic part, he's the lonely seaman, tired of bouts of racial abuse, then finally being 'set-up' in a vicious heist. It's a pity that fine character actor Lawrence Naismith (Amazing Mr Blunden) is wasted in a very small role as a bigoted racist.
Excellent Director: Basil Deardon (The Blue Lamp '50, Sapphire '59) uses many unique locations (most now gone due to the 'Docklands' re-development) to marvelous advantage. His Director of Photography: Gordon Dines, turns in striking visuals, matching Deardon's flair, with one top sequence following another...through to the exciting finale.
John Adison's music score sets off well, with an off beat dramatic style for the Main Title, although this unfortunately gives way to some conventional background scoring. Not quite up to his 1956 'Reach for the Sky', or 61's 'A Taste of Honey'. This film should be far better known ~ any lover of British crime dramas should not be disappointed. Unfortunately, I saw this film on local TV (Gem Australia with their way too BIG, way too bright 'PINK' logo, etc - will they ever wake up?) but, I'm told the recently released DVD quality is good.
Any Tram enthusiast wanting to see a round cornered, double decker English Tram, has got to own this title.
The support cast are all hard workers and ensure you quickly get caught up in the action. Award nominated writers, John Eldridge (who also died young at 42 due to bad health) and Jack Whittingham (A.K.F. The Divided Heart '54, Mandy '52) weave a fast moving story, leading the viewer down an eternally twisting path that's peopled by an interesting assortment of characters. Bermudian born Earl Cameron scores in his first major dramatic part, he's the lonely seaman, tired of bouts of racial abuse, then finally being 'set-up' in a vicious heist. It's a pity that fine character actor Lawrence Naismith (Amazing Mr Blunden) is wasted in a very small role as a bigoted racist.
Excellent Director: Basil Deardon (The Blue Lamp '50, Sapphire '59) uses many unique locations (most now gone due to the 'Docklands' re-development) to marvelous advantage. His Director of Photography: Gordon Dines, turns in striking visuals, matching Deardon's flair, with one top sequence following another...through to the exciting finale.
John Adison's music score sets off well, with an off beat dramatic style for the Main Title, although this unfortunately gives way to some conventional background scoring. Not quite up to his 1956 'Reach for the Sky', or 61's 'A Taste of Honey'. This film should be far better known ~ any lover of British crime dramas should not be disappointed. Unfortunately, I saw this film on local TV (Gem Australia with their way too BIG, way too bright 'PINK' logo, etc - will they ever wake up?) but, I'm told the recently released DVD quality is good.
Any Tram enthusiast wanting to see a round cornered, double decker English Tram, has got to own this title.