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The Long Arm [1956]


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Editorial
Synopsis

A well-made police thriller which follows a Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent as he finds links between a recent robbery from a safe in a London office building and other similar crimes over the past two years. In every instance the make of the safe was the same.


No chance for chummy...
Review date: 2008-07-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

Made at a time when Scotland Yard could have a simply frightful time catching a smash and grab raider, apart from anything else; when the old hands can remember criminals whole families and what prisons they are/were in; when an anonymous caller gives a tip off and all Scotland Yard swings immediately and earnestly into action; when crimes were recorded on index cards and a whole army of men employed to manually cross check everything; when department store sales clerks spoke with an Oxbridge accent; when everybody smoked; when kids thought it was wizard to have lemonade (with straws) at birthday parties; when your wife worried about you; and when you called your quarry 'chummy'...

This is so cheesy by modern standards that it's almost a self-parody - almost, but not quite. (In fact I did burst out laughing when Jack Hawkins was speculating about 'chummy', with a anguished look on his face). Nevertheless, it still manages to tell a great story and has some glorious outdoor photography of the period, especially central London. Hawkins is great, playing his role with dogged determination and typical British resolve.

Another thing that strikes me watching these old b/w films is just how brilliantly even the minor characters are played. Watch out for Meredith Edwards - the garage owner in Wales, and particularly the flawless understated acting of the woman in her only scene who offers Hawkins a cup of tea, but he declines).

Great fun from a long gone era and highly recommended for many reasons including, but not limited to, the story.

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Reviews


The Long Arm (1956)
Review date: 2008-05-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is a classic cops and robbers caper made in 1956 and leads the viewer through the various layers of police tactics that were available at the time. The scenes of London in that era are a complete nostalgia fest with good use of locations. The Long Arm is fine example of a strong story made during simpler times.
Jack Hawkins at his effortless best.

Wonderful slice of history
Review date: 2008-04-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have to confess that I nearly didn't buy this DVD, because of some comments on here that suggested that there was something wrong with the sound quality and that it was a poor copy. Well I took a chance and I can say that the picture quality is perfect, could have been filmed yesterday, so my worries were unfounded, and there is nothing wrong with the sound on the copy I've got. This is a very enjoyable film with some lovely photography of London Streets before Marxist/Communist leaders got a hold. You know what I mean?

Great Movie spoiled by poor sound quality
Review date: 2008-04-11 Rating: 6 out of 10

A cracking 50's police thriller which is well scripted if a little dated.
1st class acting by all with some genuinly heart warming banter between the characters particularly Jack Hawkins and Meredith Edwards(the garage owner in Wales)...........Oh and look out for a young Stratford Johns as a Chester Police Constable with one line to deliver when Hawkins comes 'up north' Good production values too as Johns even has the Prince of Wales feathers on his tunic eppaulettes..Wow what detail for a 4 second scene! Only downside being the poor sound quality at times noticably during the search of the Ford Pilot at the police garage when vital evidence is recovered. Still a good film to keep.

Good film; poor copying
Review date: 2008-03-12 Rating: 8 out of 10

I really enjoyed the story & the acting but the copy I bought from Amazon UK has extremely poor sound quality. Even given the age of the film the sound is woeful. It is very very hard to hear throughout & at times the static is so bad not a word can be heard. I would have sent it back except that postage from Australia to the UK is excessive.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Stratton
Sam Kydd
Dorothy Alison
Jack Hawkins
Michael Brooke (III)

Creators:
Jack Hawkins (Primary Contributor)
John Stratton (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5055201801371
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2008-02-11
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1956-06
Language: English (Original Language)

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