Customer Reviews
No chance for chummy... - By: Baz, 27 Jul 2008 
Made at a time when Scotland Yard could have a simply frightful time catching a smash & grab raider, apart from anything else; when the old hands can remember criminals whole families & what prisons they are/were in; when an anonymous calller gives a tip off & alll Scotland Yard swings immediately & earnestly into action; when crimes were recorded on index cards & a whole army of men employed to manuallly 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; & when you callled 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 & has some glorious outdoor photography of the period, especiallly central London. Hawkins is great, playing his role with dogged determination & 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, & 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 & highly recommended for many reasons including, but not limited to, the story.
The Long Arm (1956) - By: J. P. Akehurst, 09 May 2008 
This is a classic cops & robbers caper made in 1956 & 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 - By: P. D. Fretwell, 15 Apr 2008 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 & that it was a poor copy. Well I took a chance & I can say that the picture quality is perfect, could have been filmed yesterday, so my worries were unfounded, & 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 - By: GCBrownlow, 11 Apr 2008 
A cracking 50's police thriller which is well scripted if a little dated.
1st class acting by alll with some genuinly heart warming banter between the characters particularly Jack Hawkins & Meredith Edwards(the garage owner in Wales)...........Oh & 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 - By: P. NEWMAN, 12 Mar 2008 I reallly 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.
