Basil Dearden, a director with a social conscience, directed this, the first British film to star a black actor (Earl Cameron) and also depict an interracial romance.
The crew of a cargo ship, Dunmar, arrives at the Pool of London. The crew has weekend furlough. However, before they leave, they have to tell customs if they are declaring anything.
Dan MacDonald (Bonar Colleano) and his pal Johnny Lambert (Earl Cameron) head for London, where Dan meets his current girlfriend, Maisie (Moira Lister). Johnny meets Pat (Susan Shaw), a ticket vendor.
Dan, the type who is always looking for a main chance, is offered a cool 100 pounds by a gangster to bring a small box with him to Rotterdam. What Dan doesn't know is that during the jewel robbery, a guard is killed - not in the plan. Now the police are after them.
Dan's girlfriend is more ruthless than he is. She realizes the box must contain jewels that were stolen during the robbery talked about on the radio. Opening the box, they find diamonds.
Dan is often in trouble with the customs officer, so he asks Johnny to carry the box for him. As Scotland Yard closes in, he knows the police will find the box on Johnny and accuse him. So should he warn him?
Extremely atmospheric British film, with a subplot of Johnny, a black seamen, having a romance with a white woman (Susan Shaw), which was considered scandalous. There is an undertone of racism throughout. It is obvious that Johnny sees himself as different, an outcast.
The bombing from the blitz is still evident, and some of the action takes place near the Tower Bridge.
Max Adrian plays an acrobat whose skills are used during the robbery.
Very good movie, compared often to "The Blue Lamp" as it is about police procedure. It's also about friendship, greed, and desire.
Some trivia: Earl Cameron recently died at 102, while the other lead, Bonar Colleano, died in a car accident at age 34. He actually was married to an actress in the film, Susan Shaw.
The crew of a cargo ship, Dunmar, arrives at the Pool of London. The crew has weekend furlough. However, before they leave, they have to tell customs if they are declaring anything.
Dan MacDonald (Bonar Colleano) and his pal Johnny Lambert (Earl Cameron) head for London, where Dan meets his current girlfriend, Maisie (Moira Lister). Johnny meets Pat (Susan Shaw), a ticket vendor.
Dan, the type who is always looking for a main chance, is offered a cool 100 pounds by a gangster to bring a small box with him to Rotterdam. What Dan doesn't know is that during the jewel robbery, a guard is killed - not in the plan. Now the police are after them.
Dan's girlfriend is more ruthless than he is. She realizes the box must contain jewels that were stolen during the robbery talked about on the radio. Opening the box, they find diamonds.
Dan is often in trouble with the customs officer, so he asks Johnny to carry the box for him. As Scotland Yard closes in, he knows the police will find the box on Johnny and accuse him. So should he warn him?
Extremely atmospheric British film, with a subplot of Johnny, a black seamen, having a romance with a white woman (Susan Shaw), which was considered scandalous. There is an undertone of racism throughout. It is obvious that Johnny sees himself as different, an outcast.
The bombing from the blitz is still evident, and some of the action takes place near the Tower Bridge.
Max Adrian plays an acrobat whose skills are used during the robbery.
Very good movie, compared often to "The Blue Lamp" as it is about police procedure. It's also about friendship, greed, and desire.
Some trivia: Earl Cameron recently died at 102, while the other lead, Bonar Colleano, died in a car accident at age 34. He actually was married to an actress in the film, Susan Shaw.